Hello! We are Karen and Justin from Dallas, Texas! It is wonderful to meet you. Thanks so much for… literally everything - taking the time to get to know us and sharing in this experience together. We appreciate and respect you very much.

Our inability to get pregnant wasn’t a notable part of our relationship for the longest time, until we realized how empty our house felt during the pandemic. Adoption was a quick and easy decision for us, and we are fully ready for this journey and all the ups and downs of being parents. We want nothing more than to provide a loving, encouraging, and welcoming home for your baby.

We met in 2009 through mutual friends. That December we started a band together, which we have been managing and playing with ever since. 4 years into our relationship, Justin proposed. We just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary and have never felt stronger or more connected. Communication is a critical part of what makes our relationship so special. We are both avid learners, encouraging each other through every phase of life. We are fascinated with leadership training, finding new resources for personal growth, and supporting each other to try new things – including various hairstyles and fashion choices.

My parents have provided constant support, encouragement, and taught me how to be a successful, loving, working parent. I have always been very independent, relying on my creativity and ability to thrive under pressure to navigate through life. I have always loved musical theater, finding a sense of community in my high school productions.

I took this appreciation for entertainment into my work life as well, getting my first full-time job at a local rock radio station. Fueled by a desire to follow my dreams, I started a graphic design company, working primarily with bands and venues I met at work. It was through the Dallas music scene that I met Justin. He encouraged me to perform again, and together we started the band we still play with to this day. When I began planning events, I realized how wasteful they are. My work passion is making events more sustainable, by improving processes and educating the industry. My passion at home is now focused on building a family with Justin.

Karen is an extraordinarily passionate individual, both in her professional and personal life. At work, as a senior manager of sustainability, her dedication and organization are remarkable, while at home, her compassion and patience stand out. Our 15-year journey together has seen us grow stronger through every life phase. Her care extends to family, friends, and pets, often prioritizing their needs and wants over her own. This selflessness is Karen’s superpower, demonstrating her continuous effort to contribute positively. Her commitment to making a significant environmental impact through her job is in line with her positivity. At home, Karen is a beacon of activity and togetherness. She keeps everyone connected, whether through spontaneous dance parties or daily 20-minute walks around the house. Her zest for life and unwavering dedication to the well-being of others are truly infectious.

Karen’s blend of professional determination and personal warmth makes her an extraordinary individual, and I am immensely fortunate to share my life with her.

I grew up in a hardworking family, with parents who were pillars of support and encouragement who deeply influenced my outlook on life. Being close to my younger brother, who’s less than 2 years apart from me, taught me about companionship and mutual support. My parents, still together and eagerly anticipating their role as grandparents, have been exemplary models of enduring partnership. My family always bonded through sports, spending weekends together at various games, which instilled in me the values of teamwork and perseverance. As I ventured into adulthood, starting at 18 with my passion for music, this foundation of family unity and support remained a guiding force. Meeting Karen, with whom I share a deep connection through music, we’ve enriched each other’s lives. Celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary, we are thrilled about the prospect of becoming parents. We aspire to be loving, encouraging role models, imparting the values of hard work, support, and passion to the next generation of world-changers, just as our parents did for us.

Justin has an infectious personality. Always quick-witted and ready for a laugh, he is fast to make friends and deepens his friendships through loyalty. After being part of a nationally-touring rock band in the early 2000s, it has been inspiring to watch Justin grow and expand his career – starting on a ladder installing audio-visual cables, now as a design engineer developing complex, high-profile systems. His boss is his old drummer and friend of 20+ years. They have created a culture of hard work, dedication, and trust in the workplace. Justin’s always quick to lend a helping hand, train the team, and mentor new techs entering the field.

Watching Justin with our niece and nephews is one of my favorite things. He is absolutely hilarious to kids of all ages, and replies with “I know my audience” with a smug look and a twinkle in his eye. I fell in love with him originally for his insane musical talent and his kind heart.

Now he is my favorite person, my best friend, and I can’t wait to watch him thrive at being a dad.

Music has always been a very important part of our lives, both individually and as a couple. From Justin previously working in a record store (don’t challenge him to a game of music trivia) to Karen previously working for a radio station, we both feel most fulfilled when singing and playing instruments – Justin on bass and Karen on piano/synth. The fact we get to perform together… we recognize how special that is.

We also love traveling together and with friends. Our favorite places (so far) include Seattle, Costa Rica, Denver, New York, San Francisco, and London.

We live in a mid-century modern A-frame house in a historic neighborhood located south of Downtown Dallas. Some of our favorite mornings are spent listening to music by the fireplace, drinking coffee, and laughing at our 3 ridiculous Boston Terriers. Our house has been a central hub for friends and family, and we never turn down an opportunity to host a solid puppy party in the backyard.

Our home has become an extension of our personalities – really showcasing our love for art, music, and each other. We absolutely love holidays. Our band pulls a pretty solid crowd for holiday shows, so we were frequently booked over Valentine’s, Independence Day, Halloween, and New Year’s Eve. Since we’ve started slowing down, we have been enjoying the chance to make our own holiday traditions as a couple. Halloween costumes are a must. Thanksgiving is a whirlwind of amazing food, spending lunch with Justin’s family and dinner with Karen’s. We recently hosted our 10th annual Friendsgiving, which kicks off the Christmas season when our house smells like firewood, evergreen, and holiday spices.

Over the course of our relationship, we have cared for 2 cats and 5 Boston Terriers. El Jefe was our first dog together, and Karen’s first dog ever. Training him was so much fun, as Bostons are incredibly curious and excited to learn new things. He kickstarted our adoration for the breed and introduced us to the Boston Terrier Rescue of North Texas where we rescued the rest, each earning their own special place in our hearts. Now, snuggling with Bodhi, Oxford, and Dash is our happy place. Our pets are an integral part of our family.

Justin’s parents are thrilled to become first-time grandparents. We bought Justin’s dad a guitar for Christmas, and he has been dedicating time daily to learn songs for the baby. Justin’s mom and grandmother are so incredibly excited, they almost can’t resist buying baby clothes and blankets. Justin’s brother is an athletic trainer, and their family’s love language has always been sports. Whether playing or watching, they love the banter and camaraderie that comes with discussing a good game.

Karen’s sister lives nearby and is married with 3 children – our 2 nephews (14 and 11) and our 9-year-old niece, who is already asking when she can start babysitting. Karen’s parents are divorced; her dad is a vintage race car driver, her stepmom an artist, and her mom is running for Congress. The three of them spend holidays together and are incredibly supportive of each other and our growing family.

We are lucky to have 5 retired parents in the Dallas Ft-Worth area ready to help as needed.

We are fortunate to surround ourselves with many incredible, talented friends. Our closest friends provide daily encouragement and comic relief, and are wonderfully kind and devoted. For years, our group did the same thing every Saturday – starting with an early morning hike, followed by brunch and bowling or a Marvel movie at Alamo Drafthouse. These days, we love entertaining at our house, hosting game nights, build-your-own pizza nights, and the occasional music/puzzle/ice cream slumber party with our niece and nephews.

We will be the Three Musketeers, exploring and growing through life as a team. We promise to provide a safe and healthy home, filled with laughter and music. We promise to teach them integrity, compassion, pride, empathy, responsibility, generosity, and respect. We will support their decisions and will allow them to explore their own interests and talents. We promise to love them through good times and bad, and will help them appreciate the simple things in life. We promise to be the best parents we can be.

Truly,
Thank you!!