Hi!
We are Ben and Emily. Our desire is to have an honest and open relationship with you, to trust this process, and let God direct us. We admire how strong you are and pray daily that you are surrounded by strength, wisdom, love and peace.
Ben was born in Murfreesboro, TN and has worked his way up to a senior role in IT for a tech company. He is the oldest of 3 siblings. Emily was born in western Kentucky and raised in Jackson, TN. She moved to Murfreesboro for college and was an elementary teacher for kids with learning differences before staying home with our two children. We now live in Nolensville. Ben works from home and we have worked hard throughout the years to make it a priority for Emily to continue to stay home with the kids. Our son and daughter are best friends and love each other so much. We also currently have a Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle, a super petite outdoor cat, and two fish we recently won from the fair. Needless to say, our life is anything but boring!
We met while Emily was working for Ben’s parents at a summer job in college. We reconnected a few years later and after ten months of dating, became engaged. Before we became parents, we traveled, went to UT football games, had fun at the lake, went to dinner and traveled with friends, took the dogs on walks or to the lake, did home projects and binged our favorite shows. Life looks much different now but we wouldn’t trade one minute for the life we used to have. Now, we spend time together in different ways: in the bleachers of a baseball game, family game nights, or on our Friday night pizza picnic and movie nights. We may sneak a show or two in after the kids go to bed or sit at the table a little longer after dinner to catch up. Our walks involve one on a bike, another on a scooter and us just trying to keep up! We still travel, although they are “trips” vs. “vacations.” The beach is still our favorite place and we go at least once a year.
We are so humbled that you have chosen to get to know us a little better. We have been married since 2008 and always dreamed of a family. Though we did struggle with infertility, adoption was never plan B or a last choice for us. We brought our children home through adoption in 2017 and 2019. Understanding that adoption begins with trauma, we have committed to giving our children any therapies or education that fits their needs, as well as a life of love and opportunity. Any child we raise will always know about their birth families and we welcome any level of involvement you may feel comfortable with. We currently have two open adoptions. One is very involved; the other only receives pictures and updates. We realize your feelings may change over time and welcome that as well. Our door is always open to a relationship.
Words cannot accurately express our gratitude for considering adoption and reading a little about us. We’ve seen firsthand the blessings and heartbreak adoption can bring and the thought of bringing any pain to you makes us physically ill. We hate that our greatest joy can bring you pain. That’s not what we’re wanting. We know that adoption can be a beautiful thing as well and we promise to keep our word by have an honest relationship with you, one where we love and encourage you. We wish the best for you on during this time and hope you have the peace you need, no matter your decision.
With love,
Ben and Emily