Hi, we are Ryan and Alyssia! Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about us. We cannot imagine the decision you are facing, but we know that God has many plans for each of us. It may not always be what we planned or thought, but we are confident that He will guide each of us on this path.

Our story together actually began at church. We met there when Alyssia was in her first year of college. We dated for a short time, and then Alyssia went back to school. A few years later, we ran into each other at a video store. We dated for almost a year before we got engaged, on Halloween! We were married in 2003.

We tried to have a family early on in our marriage but were unsuccessful. After a few years of trying, we realized that we would not be able to have children on our own. We took some time to dig into what God had planned for our life, and we felt that we should expand our family through adoption. We were blessed with our first daughter, Anna, through the gift of adoption in 2018 and we are looking forward to the opportunity to grow our family again.

Ryan has a gentle heart with a genuine love for everyone he meets. He is always the first to volunteer to help someone and expects nothing in return. He loves to be outside, working in the yard, playing Frisbee golf or baseball. He can’t wait to teach a new little one to play catch and take them to baseball games, as well as camping. Ryan is also involved at the local race track where he is on a pit crew for a race car.

If Ryan is stuck inside, he loves to watch game shows; his favorite is The Price is Right. Ryan works for a landscaping company doing yard maintenance during the spring, summer, and fall, then snowplowing in the winter. Ryan enjoys being busy! He also works as a greeter for visitations and funerals at the local funeral home and volunteers for the emergency services department in our city.

It’s been incredible watching Ryan as a father. I’ve always known that he would be great in that role, but to actually see it in person has brought me so much joy. He and our daughter, Anna, have a very special bond; one that only a daddy and daughter could share. Anna goes to him when she is scared. She hides behind him when she’s feeling shy. She runs to him when he comes home from work, and always needs a big hug and kiss from him before she goes to bed. Ryan truly is her protector, and I know he’ll be the same for any other child who joins our family.

Alyssia is a people person; she can make friends with anyone. She loves her family and friends, and always puts them first. She is an avid crafter. She’s always creating some Pinterest craft, painting something, or rearranging/redecorating the house. She also loves to cook, bake, and try new recipes. She can’t wait to include a new little one in the kitchen with her and Anna.

Alyssia works as an assistant director at a childcare center/preschool. It’s a great job and it will allow her to take a little one to work with her on a daily basis. On a quiet day, you will find her reading a book or scrolling through Pinterest. Alyssia enjoys camping and spending time outside too, especially in our own backyard.

It has been such an answer to prayer to see Alyssia become a mother. She is a nurturer and enjoys teaching Anna new things. Alyssia and Anna are always finding something new to do together, whether it’s a new book to read, a new park to explore, or a new craft to try. Even though they are always exploring together, Alyssia and Anna also enjoy quiet days at home, baking, coloring, or just playing in the backyard. Anna has a strong bond with Alyssia, and she is the one that Anna goes to when she is hurt, or sad, and just needs a hug, because she gives the best hugs.

Anna is a sweet, people-loving little girl. She loves to be outside. Her favorite things to do are to go for walks, play at one of our local parks, swing in her swing, or ride her bike. Anna is quite curious and has a desire to learn. She loves to read, her teachers say she is the first one at circle time and the last one to leave because she doesn’t want to miss any of the story!

Adopting Anna was easily the best thing that has happened to us up until now. She has brought so much joy into our lives and has shown us how to love in a whole new way. We continue to keep in touch with Anna’s birth family and speak with her about adoption on a near-daily basis. We plan to do the same with any other child who joins our family, and would be happy to have a similar relationship with their birth family. We are excited for Anna to be a big sister, and are comforted in knowing that she will be able to share the unique bond of adoption with a younger sibling.