Howdy!

We met through college debate in 2014 and have been married since 2018. Both of us have jobs that give us a great work-life balance, which enables us to spend time with our dogs, follow our favorite sports teams, and adventure together. Maria's hobbies include reading and gardening, while Kurt enjoys cycling. We both enjoy cooking and a good walk.

Maria has a master's degree in economics and an MBA. She works for a technology company that is trying to extend healthcare to as many people as possible. Kurt has a master's degree in public administration and is finishing a Ph.D. in public policy. He works as a university debate coach.

We are lucky to have our families as a big part of our lives. Kurt grew up in the country in West Michigan, where his parents lived until a few years ago. They have since moved to Northern Michigan to live in a beautiful rural area. Maria was raised in Northeastern Ohio; her parents still live in her childhood home. Kurt has a younger sister who has provided us with a niece, a spunky third grader whom we love and hang out with whenever we get a chance. Maria has an older brother who does not have a child but does have a delightful Bernedoodle who brings us joy whenever we visit.

We spend a great amount of time with Maria's aunt and uncle, who live in Chicago and have a lake house that we visit multiple times every summer. Our family is not just our kin but also includes our friends, located locally and spread across the country; major milestones are not complete without them.

We live in one of the best college towns in the world, giving us access to great schools, a ton of restaurants, and the ability to walk almost anywhere. Our neighborhood is extremely tight-knit, with everyone willing to help and hosting monthly happy hours. Within a five-minute walk from our home, there are at least seven parks, all dog-approved, and a school. The city is extremely safe and a great place to live.

We made the decision early in our relationship that we did not want to have biological children. There are some health complications that would make having a child difficult, and we thought we would be happier and safer if we adopted instead. We have always had the love to give to children, but we have both been in school and working full-time, so the timing was not right. After years of hard work, we know we are in a position where we have the time and capacity to build a family.