Introduction
Dear Expectant Parent(s),
Thank you for taking a moment to peek into our world. We know this is a huge decision for you. We want you to know our hearts are open to welcoming your child and supporting you however feels right. One of our favorite songs is by Brandi Carlile, and this lyric captures the world we hope to create: “I want a house with a crowded table and a place by the fire for everyone.” That’s the kind of home we dream of — full of love, laughter, warmth, and a spot for everyone who comes through the door.
Our Story
We met in New York City in 2016. Like the best love stories, ours began when two opposites realized they were the perfect match. After a wonderful year in the city, we found our way to Nashville, Tennessee, for the next chapter of our lives, close to Shanna’s family. There, we built a home filled with music, laughter, and love — buying our first house in 2019 and later getting married in 2022.
When we felt ready to grow our family, we knew it was time to return to the Northeast and put down roots closer to where it all began. As a couple, we love bringing people together. We’re natural cultivators of connection and joy, creating spaces that feel warm, welcoming, and meaningful. Our personalities balance one another beautifully, and we take pride in supporting each other through every new opportunity and chapter life brings.
Adoption has always felt like the path meant for us. We’ve known from early on that having biological children wasn’t going to be the pathway for us, and the idea of adoption has always felt like a natural and heartfelt decision. Being aunties to many nieces and nephews has shown us how much joy we find in caring for and nurturing children, and we’re so ready to share that love within our family.
All About Molly
Born and raised in New York, Molly grew up fueled by creativity, adventure, and a love of performance. When she wasn’t at a Broadway show dreaming big, she was on skis—carving down winter slopes or zipping across the bay in summer. Always outgoing and full of energy, she gravitates toward color, joy, and anything pink. After graduating from Theater school, she expanded her passion for people and storytelling by earning a Master’s degree in Social Work. She’s someone who believes in standing up for what’s right and doing her part to create a brighter, kinder tomorrow.
Molly’s Favorite Things
Molly finds magic in the little things. She loves starting her day with a good cup of coffee and ending it with a scoop (or two!) of ice cream. Traveling to new places is one of her favorite adventures — she’s always on the lookout for what makes each place sparkle. A lifelong Disney fan (with Stitch as her all-time favorite!), Molly loves bringing a bit of that same joy and imagination into everyday life. Molly makes sure our home is always ready for a celebration — from twinkling Christmas lights to colorful decorations for every season. She’s the queen of themed nights and finding reasons to laugh, celebrate, and play. And when it comes to comfort food, she’s all about chicken nuggets — she can’t wait for the mac and cheese and dino nugget phase of childhood to begin!
All About Shanna
Shanna grew up traveling the world as a missionary kid, soaking in new cultures and experiences that shaped her adventurous and compassionate spirit. Some of her favorite places include Hong Kong, Guatemala, and Korea — each leaving a lasting mark on her heart. Growing up, she was both the comedic relief and the kid who could disappear into a good book for hours. She loved playing soccer and became a die-hard U.S. women’s soccer fan after watching them win the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
Moved by the world around her, she loved creating art in many forms from a young age. That creative spark led her to earn an undergraduate degree in Graphic Design and a Master’s in Architectural Lighting Design — a perfect fit for someone who makes the world a little brighter every day. Shanna is the calm in any storm, endlessly curious, and always eager to learn something new.
Shanna’s Favorite Things
Shanna is a creative person who loves to learn, build, and explore. She’s a Star Wars fan through and through. Behind the camera is one of her happy places, capturing life’s little moments through photography. She bakes the most delicious sourdough bread and loves cooking meals from many cultures, filling the house with amazing smells and warmth. Shanna’s a hands-on builder — whether it’s Legos or real wood (she built a beautiful backyard furniture set). She finds joy in learning new skills, spinning records on her record player, and discovering old classics and new tunes. With her love of technology and all things innovative, she’s the first to figure out how a cool new gadget works — and she makes every project a fun adventure.
Our Home & Community
We live in a beautiful apartment in Boston, just a short walk from a playground and dog park where we love taking our rescue dog, Leia. Leia is the sweetest dog — gentle, affectionate, and happiest when she’s around children or snuggled up for a cuddle.
With Boston as our backyard, we have access to amazing museums, entertainment venues, and endless opportunities for exploration. We especially love our town library, which feels like a treasure on its own.
Our community is big, strong, and full of love — with family and close friends nearby ready to support us on this journey. Our niece and nephew live right in our neighborhood with their parents, Molly’s sister and her husband. We cherish weekends cheering them on at soccer or hockey games and dance recitals. Weekly dinners together are a highlight, and being “the Aunties” is one of our favorite roles. We are also close to Molly’s mom, Grammy, and her partner who live by the beach. They can’t wait to include a new grandchild in their beach days, sleepovers, and summer fun. Everyone is thrilled to welcome a new little one into the family.
Our Family & Friends
We spent many years surrounded by Shanna’s family while living in Nashville, creating countless memories, hosting gatherings, and deepening our sense of community. We loved our role as aunties to our nieces in England, and our world became wilder as six more nieces and nephews were born within four years.
Shanna’s family has long been involved in adoption work, which has helped us have open, honest conversations about what adoption can look like and how we want to show up with love and respect for everyone involved. Both of our families have been touched by adoption in meaningful ways, and they’re incredibly supportive — ready to wholeheartedly embrace and love the child who joins our family.
Our circle extends across the country and abroad, filled with lifelong relationships we’ve cultivated over the years. Just as we feel supported by them, there’s always a spot at our table when they come to visit.
Summers are spent enjoying Cape Cod beaches, and winters bring cozy weekend trips to Vermont, making every season an adventure.
Thoughts from Family & Friends
Amy – Auntie to Be: “The best way to describe their home is a bright ray of light. Everything they do shines with warmth, honesty and acceptance for those that come into their lives.”
John and Carolyn – Family Friends: “They have positive attitudes towards life which has shaped their relationship with each other and everyone they encounter. They are hands on and always go the extra mile for their family and friends.”
Marie and Ben – Friends: “Molly and Shanna will truly make excellent parents and are a perfect complement to each other. Molly is big love, bubbly and fun, creative and energetic, eyes bright and always making up activities and games. Shanna is steady love – steadfast and consistent, comfort and heartfelt smile, a warm and solid foundation in their home and lives.”
Niece / Nephew
Jonah, Age 3: “I love my aunties a lot. We go to the playground and get ice cream.”
Everett, Age 5: “My aunties will make good mommies. They know how to take care of a baby.”
Calvin, Age 7: “They make me feel at home inside.”
Morgan, Age 14: “They will be good parents as they know how to listen, and they understand what people need whether that be a person to listen and chat to or a friendly voice to laugh with.”
Daisy, Age 16: “Molly and Shanna are like my second moms. They’ve always made me feel so comfortable and safe to be myself. They’re amazing hosts and always provide a safe environment to be vulnerable. I always feel so loved and cared for and seen when I’m with them. I think that any kid would be so lucky to have Molly and Shanna as their moms.”
Thank You
Thank you again for taking the time to get to know us. We know this may not be an easy decision, and we promise to unconditionally love and support the child we are lucky enough to welcome into our family. They will be surrounded by family and friends who are excited to love, nurture, and celebrate them. We hope to guide them to grow into a kind person, and we will always encourage them to follow their dreams and passions. We will be there for every step, every stage, and every adventure in their life.
We deeply respect your wishes and the level of openness that you feel comfortable with. We are excited to be on this journey and hopeful that, if it’s meant to be, our paths will meet.
Sincerely,