Hi! We both grew up in small towns in tight-knit families. As soon as we met, we felt as though we had been with each other for years. Taylor started as a paramedic working 911 and eventually moved into research. Dan works as a finance manager. With Dan’s pragmatic approach and Taylor’s adaptability, we find our personalities complement each other well. Our interests often overlap but differ, allowing each of us to be exposed to new experiences. Taylor loves to read and be in nature, and Dan enjoys playing organized sports. Together we love walking our dogs, taking hikes, and finding time to snuggle to watch a movie. We stay connected with both of our extended families, so much so our mothers have even vacationed together. We hope to continue this tradition of love by expanding our family.

Dan’s extended family includes his two brothers and sisters-in-law and five nieces and nephews. Dan’s mom is a big part of our life, and she is always making an effort to spend time with her grandchildren, whom she adores so much. Dan’s family keeps the tradition of always getting together on Thanksgiving, eating dinner, and then immediately turning on the movie Elf to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.

Taylor’s extended family includes her parents, who still live in her hometown, and her older sister and brother-in-law. Taylor was also a middle child; her younger sister passed away from cancer when she was a teenager, and her family works hard to keep her memory alive. During Christmas, Taylor’s family gets together in her hometown to celebrate. After gifts on Christmas morning, it is time to hit the ice for a little bit of ice fishing and snowmobiling. Taylor’s family loves to bond outdoors and has a deep respect for nature.

We also have to mention our chosen family. Because many of us are transplants in the area, we have forged deep friendships. These strong connections with our family and friends give us a great perspective that family is everywhere.

In early 2024 we moved into a charming four-bedroom house in a Minnesota town nestled along the scenic St. Croix River. We were thrilled to find a smaller town that has a supportive community to raise a family in while still being close to the urban area with great access to amenities. We want our kids to be able to bike to school, walk to see friends in the summers, but still be close enough to nature that they can appreciate the beauty of a forest and a river. Being able to spend time with our sweet dogs, Fifo and Coco, is always the highlight of our days. Fifo loves to snuggle more than anything, and Coco loves to give kisses and chase around toys.

From the start, we both knew we wanted to have a family, no matter what obstacles we might face in that journey. So shortly after we were married, we tried to conceive a child. Given our family history, we understood there was a chance that conceiving our own child might not be in the cards. While doctors didn’t find anything specifically wrong with either of us, we have tried and have not been able to conceive even with medical assistance. However, we always knew that it wasn’t about where the child came from; what mattered is that we got to be a family together. Therefore, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of a child’s life.