Hi, welcome to our story!
We are Eric and TaraJo, and we live in Indiana with our 3 dogs and are blessed God has provided us with the opportunity to be able to start our family through adoption. We are excited to share our beautiful life with you and your child, and we want you to know that we see you and respect you. We are committed to creating an environment where our child can thrive and to honoring you as an important part of their story, in whatever way feels right for you. We will provide them with a safe, loving, Christian home where they will be encouraged, supported, and surrounded with family, friends and community. We are excited to welcome you to our journey!
Meet Us!
We met online in 2021 and quickly discovered a connection that felt easy, natural, and meant to be. By January of 2022, we were officially dating, and three and a half years later we are married with 3 dogs and growing together.
We love doing the little things together—spending cozy evenings with our dogs, cooking a new recipe, or enjoying a Fall night on our back patio. We also love to travel, explore new places, and discover different cultures.
Our relationship is grounded in kindness, respect, and the ability to truly listen to one another. We’re quick to apologize when we’ve hurt each other’s feelings, and we always make space for laughter—because a good sense of humor makes everything better!
For us, adoption is not just a choice—it’s a calling. After learning that having children biologically wasn’t possible due to medical complications, we began to see adoption as a deeply meaningful way to build the family we’ve always dreamed of. We’re excited to open our hearts and home to a child, offering them a loving, supportive, and stable environment where they can grow and thrive.
A Little About Eric (by TaraJo)
If I had to sum up Eric in three words, they would be dependable, patient, and protective. He is my rock—steady, trustworthy, and always there when I need him. He also has a gift for making me laugh, even on the hardest days. Eric is also chronically early to everything (I guess spending time in the Navy will do that to you), so you can 100% count on us being the first to any party or gathering!
Eric can figure out how to fix almost anything (thank you, YouTube tutorials!) and loves using his hands and his mind to solve problems. He works as a flight simulator technician, maintaining full-motion simulators for commercial jets. His job combines his love of aviation with his knack for technology and problem-solving.
In his free time, Eric loves watching football, playing video games, building Lego sets, traveling, and simply being with family, friends, and our dogs. I know he will be a wonderful father—patient, fun, and deeply devoted. He looks forward to teaching our child how to ride a bike, build blanket forts, and make them feel safe and loved every single day.
A Little About TaraJo (by Eric)
TaraJo is one of the kindest and most compassionate people I have ever met. She is loyal to the core and has a way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. She also has an amazing sense of humor and the most incredible memory—you can count on her to recall even the smallest details from years ago (like her first day of school outfit from 2nd grade!).
She works as a clinical analyst, combining her nursing background with her love of problem-solving and teaching. She works from home, which means she’s able to create a warm and welcoming environment while still thriving in her career.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, needlepoint, cooking, traveling, and spending time with our dogs, family, and friends. I know she will be an incredible mom—nurturing, fun, and fiercely loving. She will encourage our child’s dreams, comfort them when they are sad, and celebrate every little milestone along the way.
Home Sweet Home, Indiana
We live in a quiet, safe, walkable neighborhood that’s perfect for a child to grow up in. Our community has beautiful ponds, a play area with a covered pavilion, and plenty of green space for walking, biking, or feeding the ducks. We’re close to parks, a farmer’s market, an outdoor amphitheater, and great schools.
Our ranch-style, three-bedroom home sits on a corner lot with a fenced-in backyard and a cozy patio where we enjoy crisp Fall evenings. Inside, our open-concept kitchen and living room serve as the heart of our home, where we gather with our dogs—and one day soon we look forward to with our child.
Meet Our Crew
While our families live outside Indiana, they are just a drive away and we see them often. We also have a strong circle of friends nearby who are like family to us.
Our family is a beautiful mix of relatives and “chosen family” who love and support us unconditionally. TaraJo’s parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and “bonus grandmother” are all part of our story, as are Eric’s dad, grandparents, and a close friend from his military days who is like a brother.
We have family traditions we can’t wait to share with our child—Eric’s small-town 4th of July parade and fireworks, and TaraJo’s family’s Christmas morning cinnamon rolls with coffee, followed by a slow, joy-filled morning of gifts and togetherness.
Our families are incredibly supportive of our adoption journey, showering us with love, prayers, and encouragement. They can’t wait to meet the child who will one day call us Mom and Dad.
Our Promise from Our Hearts
We promise to provide a nurturing, loving, Christian home filled with laughter, encouragement, and grace. We will raise our child knowing they are cherished beyond measure—not only by us but by our family, friends, and community.
We are open to whatever level of contact you as a birth mother/family are comfortable with—whether that’s letters, photos, calls, or occasional visits. We will honor your role in our child’s life by sharing your story with love and respect, and by incorporating any cultural or personal traditions that are important to you.
As parents, we will strive to guide our child with faith, compassion, and respect. We’ll share our love of football, sports, traveling, and exploring new cultures. Above all, we will make sure they know they are safe, supported, and deeply loved—every single day.
We’d love to talk or answer any of your questions. Please call or text Lifetime at 1.800.923.6784.
More About Eric
Education: Technical Certificate
Profession: Simulator Technician
Stay-At-Home: No
Racial Background: Caucasian
His Favorites:
Food: Savory: chicken, Sweet: cheesecake
Color: Blue
Sport: Football, especially U of Michigan football
Season: Fall--football is back!
Vacation: Alaskan Cruise
Hobby: Video games
Music: Rock, Country
More About TaraJo
Education: MSN, RN
Profession: RN Senior Clinical Analyst
Stay-At-Home: No, but works from home
Racial Background: Caucasian
Her Favorites:
Food: Savory: chicken, Sweet: chocolate PB ice cream
Color: Green
Sport: Football, Hockey, Golf
Season: Fall--I love a good pair of jeans and a sweatshirt
Vacation: Road trips and Cruises
Hobby: Reading or needlepoint
Music: Worship, Country
More About Our Family
Our 4-Legged Loves
Our home is filled with love—and quite a bit of fur, thanks to our three dogs: Rhett, Mac, and Archer.
Rhett, a long-haired Chihuahua, is full of playfulness and charm. He’s always ready for a game but is just as happy curled up in a lap. Mac, also a long-haired Chihuahua, is our laid-back cuddle bug who gladly spends the day snoozing beside us. Archer, our Golden Retriever puppy, is sweet, a little dopey, and still learning about the world.
They bring so much joy to our lives. They’ve been around children a few times and have done wonderfully—Rhett and Mac politely accept their pets before wandering off, while Archer is eager to play. We can’t wait to watch them grow and bond with our future child, adding even more love (and laughter) to our family.
Our Faith
Faith is the foundation of our home. TaraJo was raised in a Christian household, while Eric came to faith later in life and is continually growing in his walk with the Lord. Together, we pray, serve, and encourage each other in our spiritual journeys.
We attend a church regularly. TaraJo serves on the hospitality team multiple times a month and helps lead a small group, and we both enjoy connecting with others in our church community.
Our hope is to raise our child in a loving Christian environment—teaching them about God’s love, providing a solid Biblical foundation, and encouraging them to seek Christ in their own lives. From bedtime prayers to celebrating Easter and Christmas with meaning, we look forward to making faith a natural, joyful part of their everyday life.
The Travel Bug
We share a love for exploring new places—whether it’s a weekend road trip or a once-in-a-lifetime cruise. Together, we’ve enjoyed the beaches of Florida, taken an unforgettable Alaskan cruise, and road-tripped to Louisiana with plenty of memorable stops along the way.
We often visit Eric’s dad’s riverfront home, which offers breathtaking views, and make regular trips to see TaraJo’s family, enjoying the scenic drives as part of the adventure. We’re passionate about food, culture, and history, and we love learning about the stories behind the places we visit.
Travel will always be a part of our family life. We can’t wait to teach our child the joy of exploring, whether it’s their first trip to the beach, a visit to a historical landmark, or sampling new foods in a faraway country. With only two U.S. states left for Eric to visit, we have a family goal to see all 50 together—and beyond that, we look forward to many international adventures as well.
Our Plans For Childcare
We believe in being as present as possible during the early years. Eric works full-time outside the home but is home in the mornings, while TaraJo works full-time from home. This will allow us to maximize time with our child and keep them home as much as possible in the beginning.
When we do need outside help, we’re grateful to have TaraJo’s parents ready to step in—once we adopt, they plan to retire so they can make frequent visits and help care for their grandchild. Our church also offers a childcare program that we would feel comfortable using if needed.
Balancing work and family time is very important to us, and both of our workplaces value and encourage this. We’re committed to being hands-on parents, building strong bonds, and creating a loving, stable environment where our child knows they are safe, cherished, and supported.
In Closing
Thank you for taking the time to get to know us and see a glimpse of the life we hope to share with a child. We can’t begin to imagine the weight of the decision you’re making, but we are praying for you. If you choose us, we promise to provide a home filled with love, laughter, faith, and support. Your child will always know where they came from, how loved they are, and the special role you play in their story. No matter what you decide, please know that we are praying for you and wish you peace and strength in the journey ahead.