We first crossed paths on a dating website in 2018, became engaged in 2021, and celebrated our wedding in a Catholic church in 2022. During the summer months, we enjoy attending fairs and festivals, while in the winter we love cozying up indoors. Our shared interests include watching movies, baking, cooking, and keeping a tidy home. We also treasure spending quality time with our nephews, family, and friends, celebrating milestones and birthdays together.

Deeply rooted in our faith, we share the same religion and actively volunteer in various church ministries, focusing particularly on religious formation for children. As catechists, we are dedicated to teaching the principles of the Church. Professionally, Mike has built a career in the insurance industry for over 25 years, while Nancy has devoted more than 23 years to higher education.

Both Nancy and Mike each have two siblings and two nephews. Nancy’s siblings live closer to us, which has allowed us to remain very close over the years. She was raised by her mother as a single parent, who worked hard to provide for her children. Though they didn’t grow up in luxury, Nancy’s mother instilled the value of hard work, and all of her children went on to graduate from college. We continue to see her siblings regularly, whether during the week or on weekends.

Mike comes from a family where his parents have been happily married for 60 years. His family is very close, including cousins, aunts, and uncles, and we gather as often as possible. Christmas is our most celebrated holiday. Each year we visit a Christmas tree farm where Mike cuts down our tree, and we decorate it together before hosting a large Christmas Eve gathering with family and cousins. Nancy’s late mother has always been a pivotal part of her life, and we honor her memory by visiting her grave every weekend. In addition, we remain active in our local church, supporting various ministries and community events.

We live in a suburban community in New Jersey that offers a wonderful family environment. Our home is conveniently located near our church, schools, and workplaces, making everyday life easy and fulfilling. Being close to the church and Nancy’s siblings also brings a special sense of connection and support. The local school system is highly regarded across all grade levels, which gives us confidence about the future. While our development does not allow dogs, we are considering getting a bird in the next few years. Nancy grew up with pets—especially dogs—and has always loved having animals around. Although we’re not close to the beach, we enjoy taking trips to New Jersey and nearby state beaches whenever possible. Our town also hosts many family-oriented activities on weekends, which adds to the warm, vibrant community atmosphere we love.

When we met, we were already in our early 40s, and Nancy faced the challenge of being unable to become pregnant. After a hysterectomy, it was confirmed that having biological children would not be possible. Still, we both deeply love children and have always hoped to raise a family filled with love, respect, and strong values. Adoption has been on Nancy’s heart since she was young, and when she shared this with Mike, he wholeheartedly embraced the idea, as he has always wanted to be a father. This is our first journey into adoption, and we are praying for God’s grace as we take this step. Our hope is to help a family and a mother by providing a child with a nurturing, supportive, and loving home.