Eli & Hannah
Hey there!
Thank you so much for taking a little time to get to know our family. We can only imagine all the emotions and decisions you’re facing right now, and we want you to know that we are praying for you- for peace, strength, and guidance every step of the way.
We’re a Christian family, and our faith is at the center of everything we do. From the beginning of our relationship, we’ve always had a heart for adoption. Hannah has dreamed of adopting since high school, and even as we’ve faced infertility, we’ve always trusted God’s plan for our family and knew adoption would be part of our story. Miraculously, in 2022, we were blessed with our sweet and spunky daughter, Magnolia “Maggie.” She is the joy of our lives and she is so excited to become a big sister.
No matter what your journey looks like, please know that we are praying for you and your baby!
With love,
Eli, Hannah, and Maggie
Married since 2016
Reside in Virginia
Eli’s Occupation: High School Teacher
Hannah’s Occupation: Elementary Special Education Teacher
About Us:
We’ve known each other for as long as we can remember. We grew up in the same small town and attended the same schools. There was always a spark between us, even as kids. We dated briefly in high school, but our real love story began the summer before Hannah went to college in 2012. We both worked as lifeguards at our local pool and we haven’t spent a summer apart since.
Eli went to Virginia Tech and Hannah went to Radford University, only a short drive away, so we were always close by throughout college. After three years of dating, we got engaged and were married nine months later, in July 2016.
About Eli, by Hannah:
I don’t think I’ll ever have enough words to say how thankful I am for Eli. He is one of the most genuine, kind, and steady people I’ve ever known. He brings a sense of calm to our home and keeps everything running smoothly, no matter what life brings. I like to joke that he’s the “fun parent". He’s such a hands-on dad and is always coming up with little adventures and special things for us to do as a family.
Beyond being an incredible husband and father, one of my favorite things about Eli is how much he cares for others. As a teacher and coach, he naturally steps into a mentoring role for his students, leading with patience, encouragement, and quiet strength. He’s never afraid to share his faith, but even more powerful is how he lives it out every single day. You can see Christ in the way he treats people with kindness, humility, and love.
About Hannah, by Eli:
I was first drawn to Hannah because of her great sense of humor and her beauty, but after nine years of marriage, I’m even more amazed by the kind, loving, and dedicated woman she is. She has been an elementary school teacher since we graduated college but it’s clear her true calling is being a mother. Whether she’s caring for our daughter or the children she teaches at school, she always puts others first. Her sacrificial love and patience are something I admire daily. She’s a wonderful example for Maggie of what it means to be a God-fearing, loving, and compassionate person.
I feel so blessed to call Hannah my wife and to have her as Maggie’s mom. She does so much for our family and is always there whenever we need her. She encourages me in every goal I set, even the big or “crazy” ones, and always finds creative and fun ways for Maggie to explore, learn, and enjoy life. Watching her love and guide our daughter has shown me just how extraordinary she is as a wife, mother, and role model.
10 Quick Facts:
1. Eli is a jack of all trades. If Hannah can dream it, Eli can do it! In 2023, we bought our home, and Eli and his dad completely renovated the entire main floor.
2. Eli is an avid runner and enjoys running competitively. He passes along this passion to the kids he coaches in cross country and track and field.
3. We are big NASCAR fans. We have been to races at Martinsville, Bristol, Charlotte, and Darlington Motor Speedways.
4. We live close by to both of our parents and our moms take turns watching Maggie while we are at work. Our school schedule also allows us to both be home with Maggie during the summer and holidays.
5. We would be most comfortable with an open mediated adoption relationship.
6. Eli is an early bird and Hannah is a night owl.
7. Hannah loves being with family and friends, finding treasures while thrifting, and winding down at night with her favorite shows, NCIS or Holiday Baking Championships.
8. Every year for Maggie’s birthday we both take the day off and spend the whole day with her.
9. We have chosen baby names that are special to our family but are open to discussing ways to honor the birth family.
10. We always end “I love you” with “more than bees love honey, pigs love slop, or worms love dirt.”
