Born to Be
Parents
Kathleen & Chris
In 2003, we met and fell in love. Within a short time, we knew we were meant to share our lives together. We both come from very loving, devoted families and this is one of the things that drew us together.
We had 12 dates within the first month of our courtship (Chris says it’s because the Cubs were in the playoffs and Kathleen lived close to Wrigley Field!)
Nine months after our first date we became engaged, and we were married nine months later. We celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary this year.
We have been trying to have a baby for many years. After eight failed InVitro attempts, our progression into adoption came very naturally. Chris has seven relatives who joined his family through adoption, so the process feels natural and made our decision easy.Meet Kathleen
I was raised in the suburbs of Indianapolis. I grew up on a lake enjoying boating, swimming and fishing – and in the winters, ice skating and snowmobiling. I have an older brother and younger sister. My brother still lives in Indianapolis with his wife and my two nephews and niece. My sister and her husband have a a newborn (we are over the moon excited about our new little niece)! My dad lives in Indianapolis half of the year and Florida the other half. When my mom passed away, my parents had been married for 48 years.
My parents were fantastic role models, with mom at home raising the kids. She came from a large family and my two cousins are like brothers to me. My cousins have six kids between them and we’re “Aunt” Kathleen and “Uncle” Chris to all of them.
My dad was an entrepreneur starting a custom home building business in the 1960’s. Dad is retired now, and my brother and cousin run the company. I have three cousins on my dad’s side of the family who have four kids between them!
After high school, I moved to Dallas, Texas to pursue a degree in Fashion Merchandising. (Indiana is not exactly the fashion capitol of the U.S.) I later earned a second degree in Communications Marketing, and lived in Dallas for 12 years before moving to Chicago in 2000 to be close to my family.
Meet Chris
I grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago and have one older sister. I am godfather to both my niece and nephew, and my parents are active, involved grandparents. They can’t wait to welcome another grandchild to the family.
When I was young, I played a lot of sports-- football, basketball, baseball – but the one sport that has stuck with me is golf. (My grandfather taught me to play at a young age.) I graduated from college with a degree in Marketing as well as Professional Golf Management.
After college, I moved back to Chicago. My my first job was “golf pro” at a country club. This was the job I had always dreamed of! But several years later, I began a career in sales.
In 2009, I
started my own trucking company, and am pleased with the success my company has
attained. The nice thing about owning my
own business is the time it gives me to spend with family. I look forward to being an involved, hands-on dad with lots of time to spend with our children.
Chris on Kathleen
“Kathleen
is definitely the “fun girl” in the room wherever she goes. She is funny and always has a smile on her
face.
The kids flock to her because she is entertaining and animated.
Several
years ago when we were dating, we went to my family’s house on Christmas Eve. I
couldn’t find Kathleen so I began looking for her.
I finally found her upstairs playing games with eight of my little cousins. They were all laughing and scrambling to sit on her lap.
That was one of the moments when I knew I wanted her to be my wife and she would make a great mother.
She is the most amazing woman and will be a wonderful mother!”
Kathleen’s loving spirit and generosity shine through in everything she does. She truly enjoys taking care of people, including me! If you visit and you’ve already eaten, you better make room for more, as no one leaves our home hungry! She always makes people feel welcome and comfortable. This is one the traits I admire most about her.
She is an amazing woman and I can't wait to parent a child with her.
Kathleen on Chris
“Chris is a nurturing guy with a big heart! If he knows someone is going to be alone for a holiday – he is the first person to extend an invitation.
Chris is funny and outgoing. He’s always telling jokes and making people laugh. Chris is also very competitive and determined.
Chris coached our nephew’s basketball team three years in a row and he enjoys taking our other nephew tubing each summer. He also coaches our nieces and nephews in golf. He is excited to share his passion for sports with our children and one day coach our children’s team. I’ll cheer them on and bring the snacks!
We cheered on my brother and sister-in-law in the 2009
Chicago Marathon. Chris couldn’t believe the people running -- a blind man, a
75 year old, a paraplegic. He decided right then and there if they could do it,
so could he. Chris ran and finished the 2010 Chicago Marathon. I am so proud of him!"
Chris will be an incredible father. I see it when he is with our neices, nephews and friend's children. I am lucky to have married such a sensitive, supportive and goal driven man.
