Our Journey

The first time Craig and I saw each other was my first Sunday at our church as I had just moved to St. Louis during the summer of 2009. We had a good time hanging out with other church members our age spending late nights at Applebee's, playing volleyball, soccer, service projects, and more. Craig's version of the story is that he "let" other guys ask me out all the while believing they did not have a chance. But finally, 6 months later Craig asked me out via TEXT message to go ice skating (which Marianne cannot do).....seriously?? I said yes obviously and we've been together ever since. We both love hockey but enjoy rooting for opposing teams; Craig--St. Louis Blues and Marianne---Pittsburgh Penguins. Craig proposed in the rain in September 2010 and we were married in April of 2011. 

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In our almost 11 years of marriage we have accomplished together the following:

-beginning and thriving in our careers; Craig 9 years at a major retail store as a department manager and Marianne 8 years as an Early Childhood Educator (nominated as Teacher of the Year 2019-2020). 

-Marianne graduated from Lindenwood University

-Buying our first house in 2016

-Building our family with furbabies

-Travelling and making memories

-Fostering 28 puppies for Stray Rescue of St. Louis

-Becoming licensed foster parents with Bringing Families Together

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We began our family with furbabies with Penelope and Lexi in 2013. In 2014, our cat Krosbee joined the family. When we bought our house in 2016 we welcomed Milo into our family through Stray Rescue of St. Louis. 9 months after adopting him we became foster parents for Stray Rescue and over a year and a half fostered 28 puppies. One of those puppies became a life-long family member; Derek. In the summer of 2021, we became licensed foster parents with Bringing Families Together. We have been enjoying the journey foster parenting has been already. With respect to the children that have been in our home and their biological families, we choose to not share their photos in this online profile. 

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Hopefully, you can see from our brief profile how much we love to share our love, home, and talents with people and animals alike. Although learning that we cannot have children was painful for us, God has lovingly directed us to adoption and we have found peace and happiness in this journey already. We both come from large families and have always hoped to have a large family of our own as well. Craig is the 7th of 8 children with 24 nieces and nephews. Marianne is the 4th of 5 children with 9 nieces and nephews. God has surrounded us with many friends, who are more like family, that have grown their families through adoption as well. We can't imagine how difficult the decision is for Birth Families to choose adoption but we are grateful for your gift so that our dream of a family can become a reality.