One of our favorite things to do together is travel. Carl’s mom is from Germany (he even has dual citizenship!), and Johanna’s dad is from the Netherlands, so we both grew up visiting family in Europe nearly every year. Those trips sparked a lifelong love of exploring new places and learning about different cultures. We still travel to Europe often to spend time with our families, as well as to explore new destinations around the world. We were even married at Johanna’s family home in the Netherlands — a place filled with childhood memories where she learned to walk and ride a bike — surrounded by family and friends who traveled from all over to celebrate with us.

Closer to home, we love cozy nights in — snuggling on the couch with our pup Olivia for movies and popcorn, cooking together while dancing in the kitchen, or grilling on our deck overlooking the hills. We also love opening our home to friends, from casual dinners and board game nights to our lively annual holiday party. On weekends, one of our favorite rituals is what we call “car hikes,” spending the day driving the California coast, stopping to explore beaches, wander charming towns, and hike through the beautiful rural areas near our home. We can’t wait to share our sense of adventure, these places that have become so special to us, and our love of cozy togetherness with a child.

Johanna About Carl

Carl has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. He is incredibly thoughtful and attentive, showing his care in both small, everyday ways — like giving foot rubs, cooking us dinner, doing the laundry, or giving me a big hug when I need it most — and in bigger gestures, like planning surprise trips or spontaneous date nights. He is so funny and makes me laugh every single day, and we truly have so much fun together. Carl has played the piano since he was young, and I can’t wait to see him share that love of music with our child. He also speaks fluent German and loves learning new languages, especially when we travel, helping us connect more deeply with the places and people we visit. Beyond being a wonderful husband and partner, he is my best friend, and I feel incredibly grateful to be building a family with him and imagining the thoughtful, loving parent he will become.  

Carl About Johanna

Johanna will be an amazing mother, and I know she is built for this role in her life. She is the most caring, empathetic, and loving person I’ve ever known, and that care extends not just to me, but to everyone around her. Our relationship is rooted in encouragement, support, and love, and I know she will bring that same thoughtfulness and warmth to raising a child. All of our friends’ children adore her, and seeing her is often the highlight of their day. Johanna is also incredibly creative — she loves painting, design, photography, and even embroidery — and I can’t wait to see her share that gift with a child, whether it’s working on art projects together or simply encouraging them to explore their own creativity. She will be the kind of mother who nurtures curiosity, joy, and confidence, and I feel so lucky to be building our family with her.  

Olivia is our six-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the undeniable heart of our home. Her middle name is Joy — because that is exactly what she brings into every room she enters. Olivia is incredibly gentle and intuitive, especially with children and babies, and she just might be the world’s best snuggle buddy. We know she will welcome a child into our family with the same warmth, devotion, and joy she gives us every day.

We believe every child deserves to feel proud of who they are and where they come from. Adoption can bring important questions about identity, and we are committed to creating a home where those conversations are welcomed, supported, and celebrated. We love learning about other cultures, exploring new traditions, and experiencing the world in ways that expand our understanding. We can’t wait to share those experiences with our child — through travel, music, food, language, or daily customs — so they can connect with and celebrate their heritage in ways that feel meaningful to them. We also hope to introduce them to people and communities who reflect their background, providing role models, friendships, and a strong sense of belonging. Above all, we will listen closely, validate their feelings, and adapt as they grow, ensuring they always feel seen, loved, and deeply connected — not just to us, but to their culture and story.

We feel incredibly lucky to have a wonderful network of family and friends who are such an important part of our lives. We are surrounded by a strong “chosen family” who live close by and whom we spend time with on a weekly basis — whether it’s gathering for backyard BBQs and lawn games, enjoying beach picnics and weekend hikes, or getting cozy inside with board games and crafts. All of their children call us Auntie Johanna and Uncle Carl, and they bring so much joy, laughter, and energy into our everyday lives. This group truly believes in the idea that it takes a village, and they are all thrilled at the thought of welcoming a child with open arms, love, and excitement.

Our extended family is just as close and involved. All of our parents live within half an hour of our home and are a big part of our lives. They are eager to be hands-on, loving grandparents and can’t wait to welcome a child into the family. Beyond that, we are deeply connected to our large families in Germany, the Netherlands, New York, and Indiana, that we visit often and stay closely in touch with. Knowing the child will grow up surrounded by such a connected, supportive mix of family and friends brings us so much comfort and happiness.

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn about us. We know this is a deeply personal and emotional moment, and we are truly grateful that you are here. We hold so much respect for the strength, courage, and love it takes to consider adoption, and we do not take lightly the care and thought you are putting into this decision.

We hope that as you read through our profile, you felt the warmth, intention, and love we already have for the child who will one day join our family. We are incredibly humbled that you would consider us as potential adoptive parents, and we approach that possibility with open hearts and deep gratitude.

If chosen, it would mean so much to us to stay connected in ways that feel meaningful and comfortable to you. We are committed to sharing updates and milestones through photos and videos, and we would love to build a relationship that includes open communication. We understand that every journey is different, and we want to move forward with care, openness, and deep respect for your boundaries and your emotional well-being.

We promise that your child will always know where they come from and how deeply they are loved by you. They will grow up knowing that this decision was made out of love, and that their story includes people who care so deeply about their future. You will be spoken of with the utmost respect, gratitude, and tenderness in our home.

We promise to love and care for this child with our whole hearts. It will be the greatest honor of our lives to keep them safe, support them through life’s ups and downs, and help them grow into exactly who they are meant to be. We are committed to celebrating their culture and identity, encouraging their passions, and giving them the freedom to explore the world and themselves with confidence.

We would fill their childhood with both big adventures and everyday joys - from family trips around the world to simple Sunday mornings with French toast and fresh-squeezed orange juice, walks around the neighborhood with Olivia, and spontaneous trips to the local ice cream shop just because. They will always have us cheering them on, whether it’s their first steps, a school project they worked hard on, a performance, or a big game.

Thank you again for considering us and for the love you have for your child. No matter where your journey leads, we wish you peace, strength, and support every step of the way. We are so grateful to have shared this space with you.

With lots of love,

Carl & Johanna