Joel & Barbara
Hello there!
We're Joel and Babs, and we're so glad you’re here. First, we want to acknowledge the love and strength it takes to consider adoption, and we deeply respect the journey you’re on. Through this profile, we hope to give you a glimpse into our lives, values, and dreams - not just as individuals, but as the family we are eager to grow. We believe in a home filled with laughter, kindness, and unwavering support. More than anything, we are ready to welcome a child into our hearts with unconditional love.
Adoption has been on our hearts for a long time. We’ve seen the beauty of it through friends, family, and fostering, and we feel called to grow our family in this way. We believe every child deserves to be deeply known, unconditionally loved, and fully celebrated for exactly who they are. We are excited and honored to walk this path, and we are committed to creating a home where a child feels safe, cherished, and proud of their story. The journey to adoption is one we’ve embraced with open arms and full hearts, knowing we have so much love to give. We are deeply honored at the thought of welcoming a child into our lives and creating a home filled with laughter, faith, and unconditional love.
To the incredible birth parent(s) reading this - please know that your child will be cherished beyond measure. We will raise them to know how deeply they are loved, not only by us but by you. We will honor their story, celebrate their identity, and ensure they grow up proud of who they are and where they come from. We know choosing the right family is an important and personal decision, and we are honored that you’re taking the time to learn about us. No matter where your journey leads, we pray you find comfort and clarity in your choice.
Married since 2019
Reside in Virginia
Joel’s Occupation: Digital Media Technician with Yorktel
Barbara’s Occupation: Senior Front-End Software Engineer with Microsoft
About Us:
We met in 2017 at a Thanksgiving feast hosted by the church we both attended. It was apparent from that first interaction that we both loved fitness, fun, and faith in Christ. Over the next year of dating, we grew together and found that our values and goals in life were incredibly aligned. Joel proposed in February of 2019, and we had an intimate wedding in June of that same year. We began our married life together on an idyllic farm in central Virginia with a small gathering of family and friends.
Our Faith:
Our faith is the foundation of everything we do. It shapes how we love, how we serve, and how we grow together. We believe that putting Christ first brings purpose, peace, and joy into every part of life. In our family, we strive to reflect His love in how we care for one another and how we welcome others in. We are committed to raising children who know the overwhelming peace and joy of walking with Christ and the strength that comes from a life rooted in faith.
About Joel, by Babs:
My husband is the most incredible man I know. He leads our home with deep faith, quiet strength, and a heart full of compassion. As a spiritual leader, he brings peace, purpose, and prayer into our everyday lives. What moves me most is how naturally he loves, especially our foster kiddos. He’s been a steady, kind, and joyful presence in their lives, offering them safety, laughter, and unconditional love. Watching him care for them has only deepened my admiration for the kind of father he is. I am so blessed to call him my husband and can’t wait to see him pour that same love into the heart of a child we welcome forever.
About Babs, by Joel:
Babs is the love of my life. From the moment we met, it was clear she was a woman unlike any other. She is thoughtful, insightful, beautiful, smart, and amazing in every way. She shows me every day how effortlessly she balances the many roles and pressures in her life. Whether it’s navigating the challenges of fostering, managing a demanding job, keeping our household running smoothly, or caring for our three dogs, she handles it all with poise and strength. Her creativity, joy, and faith bring a sense of adventure to everything we do. I love her deeply and can’t wait to raise a child with her.
10 Quick Facts:
We have been licensed foster parents with our county since 2021 and have had the privilege of fostering 8 incredible children, ranging in age from infancy to five years old, and have also provided respite care for several others.
We both love music and play many instruments including violin, guitar, trumpet, bass, and ukulele.
Every Friday is pizza night in our home.
We love to travel, both domestically and internationally. Between the two of us we have visited almost every state, and 9 countries across 3 continents.
We have three very spoiled dogs who love being outside and go on all our outdoor adventures with us. They give the best snuggles and are wonderful with children.
We have a large collection of books, board games, and puzzles, and enjoy hosting game nights. Joel's favorite game to play is chess, while Babs prefers puzzles.
We love hiking, running, and anything involving mountains, and we frequently spend our time volunteering at races. Our most notable running accomplishments are when Babs got 1st place female for her first 100-miler in 2017, and when Joel completed his first 50-miler in 2024.
We love watching and attending Caps and Nats games.
We enjoy frequent friendly competitions on the pool table in our basement.
We love getting hands-on with DIY, from random household projects to refinishing vintage furniture.
