Hello! We are Holly and Jared from Durham, North Carolina. Thank you for taking the time to get to know us! We are very grateful for your decision to consider adoption and for including us in part of your journey. We know that this decision isn't easy, but we promise to support you and your child throughout this entire process with compassion and love.
Dear Birth Mother...
Our Story
We met in 2014 and got to know each other by introducing each other to our favorite things - like a photography museum or sci-fi movies at the outdoor cinema, WWE wrestling or the Jet Propulsion Lab, where NASA launches the Mars missions.
Three years and some change later, we got married in a refurbished toy factory surrounded by the people we love most in the world.
We are so excited to become parents and welcome a child into a home and a community filled with love.
Why We’re Adopting
We both want to become parents and build a family together. For us, children are one of the things that give life meaning.
We have chosen adoption as the means to start our family. We have two close friends who are adoptive parents. Seeing their positive experiences and thriving children makes us excited to jump into the adoption process!
Meet Holly, by Holly
Education and a sincere passion for learning new things are at the core of who I am. Whether it was as a college professor in my early career, or going back to school to get my MBA, I have always had a thirst for knowledge and enthusiasm for passing it on.
I now work in tech. What I love most about my job is the chance to mentor the young people on my team and help them grow as professionals. I work remotely and my employer is very family friendly.
I’m also creative and love to perform. I am looking forward to sharing my creativity with our future child.
As a child, I loved sports, animals and reading. I can’t wait to learn what activities our future child will enjoy! I also can’t wait to read with them like my parents did with me.
Best of all, I can’t wait to goof off with them like I do with my nieces and nephews!
Jared Talks About Holly
Holly is a caring, loyal and intelligent person. Some of the first things I noticed about Holly were her work ethic, physical and mental strength, and intelligence. Her drive to accomplish her dreams is unmatched.
A few months into dating I saw Holly go through a rigorous, full-day Krav Maga test for her double black belt, which she passed. It was soon after I realized this was the woman who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
Holly is the most dedicated person I’ve ever met and I have no doubt she will be an amazing mother and role model to your child.
Meet Jared, by Jared
Sports are a lifelong passion for me - as a player, a fan, and professionally. Whether it’s celebrating an Ohio State win with my best friend Andrew, taking family on set at the NFL (National Football League) Network, playing golf with the guys, visiting friends in Chicago and catching some summer baseball, or walking on the Indy 500 track, sports are a part of my best memories.
I work in Raleigh as a TV producer for Spectrum Sports. I produce the nightly sports show and sometimes work different days than Holly, so together we have a family-friendly schedule.
I also love to plan fun activities, like going out for pizza or taco night at home.
I can’t wait to get to know our future child and what they love so I can share experiences like a ball game or a concert with them - and maybe they can teach me something new!
Holly Talks About Jared
Jared is a genuine, thoughtful, unselfish person. And he is funny. After we met, he befriended both my parents and has become close to both my family and my friends. Jared has a kind heart and loves all animals - one year when we were setting our new year’s goals he wrote down “meet more cats”!
Jared is going to be an incredible dad! I know that he will hold and sing to your child, play silly games with them and make them laugh, and make every day feel special.
List of Favorites!
Favorite Food
Holly: McDonald’s French Fries
Jared: Pasta, Chicken N’ Noodles, Gelato
Favorite Movie
Holly: Gladiator, Shawshank Redemption, The Big Lebowski
Jared: Office Space
Favorite Music
Holly: Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Lizzo
Jared: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kid Cudi, Alice in Chains
Favorite Hobby
Holly: Skiing, Photography
Jared: Podcasting
Favorite Animal
Holly: Dinosaurs, Cats, Horses
Jared: Lion
Favorite School Subject
Holly: Math and Theater
Jared: Social Studies
Our Adventures
In 2019, we fell in love with women’s soccer when we went to watch Team USA compete in the World Cup in Paris. It is one thing we love to do as a couple. We also host a podcast about the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League). Holly played soccer growing up - her dad coached the team - and we both know how wonderful team sports are for kids.
Another thing we love to do as a couple is travel - whether that’s to see friends and family in Minnesota, Ohio, Colorado, Florida and abroad, or on an adventure like our recent trip to Iceland, where we hiked both a glacier and a volcano!
We look forward to experiencing future adventures together as a family!
Our Home
We are originally from the Midwest, we met living in Los Angeles, and now we live in Durham, North Carolina in a five-bedroom home with a big back yard.
We live in a friendly, diverse neighborhood full of children of all ages, walking distance to playgrounds, parks, and elementary schools. Our neighborhood is quiet, safe, and minutes from downtown.
Our home is cozy and well maintained. Each room has a purpose and we pride ourselves on making it comfortable, clean, and a place we look forward to coming home to.
Meet Our Cat, Scout
Scouty is a 2-year-old Siamese mix. He is the sweetest, most genuine pet we have ever had. Whether it’s playing with his favorite feather wand, saying hello by brushing up against our legs or his genuine anticipation for every morning, he brings joy to our daily lives. We have no doubt he will be gentle and wonderful around a new family member and will love them with all his heart.
We have a love for all animals and plan on adding more to the mix down the road.
Meet Our Loved Ones
We have a community full of love and fun. Holly is close to her dad and we often visit him and his partner Jody in Colorado or host them at our home. Jared’s mother lives in Florida and he and Holly like to visit for holidays and birthdays. We love to hang out with (and spoil!) our nieces and nephews.
We also have a tight-knit group of friends that we consider family.
A few times a year we host game nights or sports get-togethers at our place. Or plan a brunch, a trip to the theater or a beach day. We are beyond excited to include our future child in these traditions.
Our friends and family are thrilled to welcome your child into their lives! We are grateful to have friends and family who are loving and supportive and can’t wait to lend a helping hand. We can’t wait to introduce a little one to our big, loving and diverse family.
Family Traditions
- Picking a theme for the year on New Year’s
- Going to the Women’s World Cup
- Carving pumpkins on Halloween
- Making pancakes and bacon for the Ohio State-Michigan game
- Cooking spaghetti and meatballs
A Note From a Friend
“I had seen what a thoughtful and fun Aunty Holly had been with her nieces, but watching her and Jared with Aidan (my adopted son), brought me a whole new appreciation. Beyond playing with him, changing his diapers, buying insightful gifts, and giving him special time, they really get on Aidan’s level physically and mentally and give him space and work to understand him. They also honor his African American heritage with thoughtful gifts and take him on hangouts and experiences commemorating Black culture in America.”
We Promise...
- That your child will have a life full of love and laughter
- To love your child for exactly who they are
- To provide your child a life of adventure and opportunity, and a home where they always feel safe
- That your child will have a community and a family that loves them and supports them and cheers them on when they soar and mends their hearts (and knees) when they stumble
- To surround your child with strong, positive role models
- To learn together as a family about the world
- To take time to read, play and be creative together
- To teach your child the things they need to know to grow up self-confident and strong
In Closing - Thank You
Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know us and the life and love we cannot wait to share with your child. We promise to give your child the best opportunity to succeed in life, to respect their culture and background and to love and support them through their life journey. We are committed to open adoption and making sure being adopted is always a point of pride. We know your decision isn’t easy. We cannot imagine the strength and courage it has taken for you to get to this point in considering an adoption plan. No one can truly understand what you are going through, but we hope you feel the love and appreciation that you deserve. We wish you all the best in the world now and in the future!