We live in a cozy little community, just 30 minutes outside of a vibrant metropolitan area, with our son, Reid, and our two dogs, Woodford and Hazel. We've been fortunate to call this place home since 2016, and it truly feels like our dream location. We’re just two miles away from a stunning state park that boasts one of Wisconsin’s largest lakes, offering endless hiking trails and opportunities for camping. Our neighborhood is filled with newer homes and young families, and we love being surrounded by people who are in a similar stage of life. Our backyard is our sanctuary. Reid and the dogs love to explore every corner, and we take great pride in our garden, which we work hard to perfect year after year. It’s a peaceful, welcoming place where we all feel at home.

Both of us come from small families—each having just one sibling—and we’re both the oldest. While our immediate families are small, we’re lucky to have a large extended family filled with close cousins as well as a niece and nephew who bring so much joy into our lives. Jill’s parents live about an hour away, which makes it easy for us to visit them often. Dana’s dads live in California, and it's always a fun and affordable getaway for the whole family. They also have a condo near our home where they spend their summers, so we cherish the extra time we get to spend with them. Though it’s been two years since Dana’s mother passed away, we still think about her often and carry her memory with us. One of the things that brings us all together every year is the local Down Syndrome Walk in October. It’s an event that both of our families, along with friends who feel like family, look forward to and make a priority. It’s a day of support, love, and community that means a lot to us all.