We are Melissa & Matt from Roseville, California. We are honored to be able to share a little about ourselves in hopes of growing our family, which is something we’ve wanted for a long time. Knowing that you are making such a brave decision makes you a hero in our eyes and we would be the luckiest people if you were to choose us.

Adoption has been in our hearts, and when we had trouble conceiving naturally it became very clear that this is the path we were meant to take to start our family.

We’ve built our marriage on creating an environment of love, safety, and the freedom to grow. We promise to love and nurture your baby and provide a lifetime of support so they can follow their passions and accomplish their dreams.

We both took the path of online dating, cautiously optimistic about the idea. The minute we hopped on a phone call and talked for hours, laughing, and connecting, we thought, “Hey, this just might work!” A few months later, Melissa invited Matt to her brother’s annual ‘pre-Thanksgiving family and friends party.’ Matt walked in and was instantly a match for the family. We knew then we had something special. After a year and half of dating, Matt proposed on a beautiful day overlooking our favorite spot on the river. We love to go back there at least once a year to reflect on how fortunate we are.

Birthdays, family dinners, and holidays are always the best excuses to get together. Weekends are often spent exploring Northern California with our dogs and making new memories. We also love to take the adventure on the road and travel to discover new places and people, or to just unplug and relax. At home we enjoy cooking and experimenting with new recipes. We look forward to bringing our children into the kitchen with us, exploring farmers markets, and teaching them that cooking can be fun!

I grew up in a small town in Northern California and after graduating from college I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in sales and marketing. I spent years in Los Angeles, but my heart pulled me back to Northern California where I have found a dream job working in tourism. My company is very supportive of families so I will be able to take time to be home with our future child. Outside of work I love spending time on hiking trails, listening to books and loud music of all kinds - you can catch me dancing at any random moment! It’s important for me to keep relationships with friends I’ve met through the years by planning girls’ trips and lots of Zoom calls.

What draws me to Melissa is her positive energy, empathy, and drive to grow as a person. She is an amazing leader in her own life, in our marriage and with others. She has grace balancing friends, hobbies, pets, and career - but family is always her top priority, and it shows in everything she does.

Melissa is a ‘connector’ by nature. She is the glue that keeps people together and always having fun. She is the person I most admire and know she will be a wonderful mother.

I grew up in a small town in Nebraska, the second of three boys in a very close and loving family. My childhood was filled with family, friends and nonstop activities. I attended college on an athletic scholarship, playing football and running track. After graduating I moved to Denver for a career in healthcare, which eventually brought me to Sacramento. My career is focused on designing and developing hospitals and clinics and I’m fortunate to work from home with a flexible schedule. This will allow me to be present for all the big and little moments in our future child’s life.

I spend my free time reading, playing guitar, camping and fishing. I believe I learned from one of the best role models - my father, Bill. I have always dreamt of having a family and am passionate about building that family with Melissa.

What draws me to Matt is his friendly smile, Midwestern manner and how he creates a safe environment for us to grow in our marriage. He is inquisitive by nature and loves to learn about people - which can make you feel like the most important person in the room. He’s the best fireside chat partner and even makes running errands on weekends fun.

I can’t wait to see Matt as a dad as he is so dedicated and steadfast. Children are drawn to him because of his fun spirit, ability to be present, and play on their level. He has a way of making our house feel like a home and I know that our future child will feel that in their everyday lives.

We are fortunate to live in a safe and diverse neighborhood in Roseville, California, part of the greater Sacramento area. Our home is directly across the street from a community park where, at all times of the day, families are walking dogs, playing baseball, soccer, tennis and on the playgrounds. We are often walking our dogs at the park chatting with neighbors and look forward to when we can bring our little one to enjoy it with us.

The dynamic of our two dogs is best described through the old comic, Garfield and Odie. They are the source of constant laughs and energy in our home. Melissa and Shiba have been companions since 2010. Shiba’s favorite things are tennis balls, swimming at the river, and Melissa’s nephew, Cole. Matt rescued Remi right around the time Melissa and Matt met. She is wired to love everyone, can outrun any dog at the park, loves to be pet and to sleep by the fireplace.

We have created a life in Northern California where we are lucky to be close to Melissa’s family. Her mom and stepdad, Cathy & Jeff, often bring the crew together for dinners and BBQs in their beautiful backyard. Melissa’s dad and stepmom, Mike and Jackey, often visit from Washington state.

We also make the journey to Nebraska to see Matt’s mom, Pat, along with other friends and family. Matt’s father Bill passed away, but he lives on through his example of what family truly means. Our community includes family and friends all over the US and it brings us joy to travel when we can and open our home for them to visit.

We love all the holidays with our loved ones, typically spent at Cathy & Jeff’s. Each holiday is filled with memories, laughs, and traditions. From fireworks on the 4th of July to wonderful meals and sharing on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our traditions are all built on making memories!

We feel so fortunate to have the support of our family, friends and neighbors and know you are out there making a brave decision about adoption. We promise to provide a safe space for your baby to thrive, we promise to always see your child for who they are, we promise to listen, and we promise to love and nurture. Thank you for considering us as adoptive parents for your child.

- Melissa & Matt