Hello! We are Nathanael and Tracey! Thank you so much for stopping by to read our story. We would love to know yours too!

We met at University. Nate was a defensive tackle on the football team, played rugby, and was the kind of guy that knew everyone. Tracey sang in choir, studied psychology, and never knew a stranger. Nate was the President of Tracey’s Co-ed Floor and they became best friends. Two years later, Nate asked Tracey out, and the rest is history. 

Tracey had always wanted to adopt; it had been a deal-breaker on many of her previous first dates. "How do you feel about adoption?" Nate’s answer to that question led us to where we are today. We are still best friends who love being together. Our relationship is successful because that friendship is the core of all we do. We tried for a while to have a child and it never was possible. This only reconfirmed that adoption was our route. We now have a 6-year-old adopted son who we adore. We are excited to grow our family with another child and can’t wait to begin this journey!

From the moment I met Nate, I liked him as a person. He was 6”5, with broad shoulders and was a huge hugger. He was the type of person who would always step up for anyone. From stopping on the highway to help fix a stranger’s car to bringing soup when you are sick, Nate always finds ways to make someone smile. I am so fortunate to have him as my person.

It wasn’t a surprise that he went into Learning and Development Management; he is always up to teach anyone something new. Today, he is the coach for all our son’s sports teams, enjoys fixing cars, and leads small groups at church. 

One day, our son Ashton looked at me with big innocent eyes and said, “Dad is the funniest superhero. I can’t wait to grow up like him.” I think I fell in love with Nate more that day; he teaches our son to be kind above all else. Each day, he serves as living proof that you can be competitive in sports, successful in work, devoted to God and church and still have time for all the small things in life. He is defined by his natural inclination to go above and beyond. I’m so glad I married my best friend and have him by my side as we parent and go through life together.

I met Tracey during college when she was hanging decorations for a mutual friend. I had moved into the dorms a few weeks early to begin practices and training for football and Tracey had just returned from a semester abroad. We became instant best friends, and that hasn’t changed for over 20 years. I love her with all of my heart.

She is a great friend to everyone. I can hear her from the other room on the phone with friends and family, encouraging them from half-way around the world and calling to check in on them. She takes the time to write letters and cards to cheer people up, and uses her social media to spread joy. 

Our son adores her. Every time they hug, you can see the love beaming from his face. I try to take little mental snapshots of those moments - the two of them so happy, so loved. It’s so beautiful to see them interact. She would fight an army of grizzly bears for him and for us. She’s a warrior.

Tracey is also an incredible leader. She has been massively successful in her career as a Customer Success Manager because of her genuine acts of care and compassion for those she leads. Her team loves her and follows her. Tracey is a woman of deep faith. It’s this faith that motivates her to enact and inspire change in the world we live in. I’m so fortunate to have married my best friend.

The day we got the call that Ashton’s birth mom wanted us to meet her at the hospital, we remember feeling gratitude, anxiety and excitement. A 45-minute drive has never felt quite so long. It was a hot summer day in Phoenix; Ashton was born with a head full of hair, and the sweetest face. When his mom opted for a closed adoption, we looked into her eyes and thanked her for allowing us to raise him, we prayed with her and promised to always remind him how much she loved him. 

Today, a 6-year-old boy runs around our house dressed as a superhero, mask and all, loudly yelling “I’ll save you,” while eating a chocolate chip granola bar and chugging a Capri Sun fruit punch. He is smart and sporty, he loves math and is up for anything that involves a ball. We can’t make it through the day without 10 knock-knock jokes that make no sense but inevitably leave us laughing. 

Ashton knows he’s adopted and he’s proud of it. He understands he’s black and chants “black lives matter” along with us. He loves Jesus and church; we made sure to find the right one for him to feel at home. Ashton looks forward to Friday family nights when we play board games or watch a Disney movie. He also enjoys having movie theatre nights and eating hotdogs at the Cardinals stadium.

Ashton has a kind heart, loves freely, hugs often and asks when he can be a big brother. We hope someday soon to be able to answer that question with “today.”

We live in a charming suburb of Saint Louis. Our cul-de-sac street is full of mid-century modern brick houses and children playing outside. It’s a racially diverse neighborhood and close-knit community, the type of place where people say “hello” each morning and drop off baked goods to their friends and neighbors. 

Our home has a bright blue door and a rod iron bench, perfect for enjoying coffee on a sunny day. We have a fully renovated four bedroom, two bathroom home decorated with bright colors, family pictures, and quotes that encourage us to enjoy the beauty in life. 

In our home, cooking is a family affair and is frequently accompanied by music and dancing. We enjoy Pancake Saturdays, Taco Tuesdays and make your own pizza nights. We gather around our large farmhouse table to eat, connect and play chutes and ladders. 

Our son’s bedroom brings us joy. Decorated in superhero decor, with a Black Panther rug and Miles Morales on the wall, it’s perfect for a 6-year-old boy. We also have a nursery, decorated in baby black and white prints and grey accents, cozy and waiting for a child to join the family.

Saint Louis is such a fun city, with the Science Center, City Kid’s Museum and Forest Park all within 10-minutes of our home. We walk the Delmar Loop, get coffee, eat and shop in unique boutique stores. It’s a large city with pockets of small, connected communities. We can’t wait to explore and enjoy all our community has to offer with another child.

Tracey was born and raised in Europe to Irish parents. Nate is from Oklahoma City with Irish-American parents. Both Nate and Tracey come from families of Pastors, with Tracey’s loud and compassionate, Nate’s quiet and kind. 

We feel supported by our families, both those who live just down the road and those who live overseas. Nearby family and friends support us in daily life together while our family in Europe connects with us over Facetime calls and visits a few times a year. 

All members of the family love Ashton and support him in everything he does. During his soccer games, they cheer him on loudly from the sidelines. Whether we are spending quality time together with family during the holidays or just spending the day strolling through the zoo, one could never “walk alone” in our large, loving family. To us, family is everything.

We are a family that loves to travel. We’ve been on many adventures, from Europe to Mexico, and all over America. If it has a beach or a big city to explore, we are there! We also love big events, especially those that center around our favorite sports teams (Oklahoma City Thunder, St Louis Cardinals, and Ulster Rugby). Trying new foods and restaurants is extremely fun for us. We love the adventure, excitement and joy these things bring to our life. 

While there is no holiday we don’t celebrate, Christmas is our family favorite. Seeing Christmas lights and Santa Claus bring a childlike cheer to us all each year. During the Christmas season, we focus on Jesus as the reason we gather together and celebrate. 

We are a well-rounded family that enjoys time together, expanding our perspectives and adding to our ever-growing list of traditions.

Thank you for taking the time to look at our profile. We can only imagine the anxiety you may be feeling in your decision. What a brave choice you made bringing this beautiful soul into the world,  such a selfless act of love.

We so desire to be parents to another child and we hope you understand our hearts are pure. If chosen as an adoptive family, we promise we will give this baby everything we have to offer, a great education, a big, fun family that adores them, opportunities to travel around the world and endless fun. As parents, we will fight for their needs and love them unconditionally.

We promise to send you updates and photos, with the possibility of meeting in the future, and to always remind this child of your great sacrifice and love for them.

As you read this, know our hearts leap at the thought of another child and can’t wait for the day it happens. We are praying for you and want you to know we think you are amazing.