Occupation 

Engineer

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Hobby

Woodworking, backpacking, photography,

& cooking

Favorite Food

Gulf Coast seafood (creole/Cajun)

Favorite Family Activity

Hiking

Favorite Holiday

Halloween

Favorite Music

Country, Rock, Dubstep, & some Rap 

Occupation 

Social Worker/Therapist

Education

Master's Degree

Hobby

Hiking/Backpacking, spending time with our dogs, & exercising/yoga

Favorite Food

Grilling & fresh vegetables 

Favorite Family Activity

Bonfires, Hiking & going to craft fairs/festivals 

Favorite Holiday

Christmas

Favorite Music

Country, Rock & Pop 

We met during our sophomore year in high school where we quickly became close friends and all the while, had a secret crush on each other. In 2004, following graduation, we ran into each other at a local outdoor concert and spent the day together. The following week, we went on our first date to Olive Garden, and that's when our relationship began.

Two years later, Justin decided to better himself and create a future for us by joining the Navy. He soon went to boot camp and, later that year, went on his first deployment. We kept in touch, and that following fall, he returned home and proposed to me in the same restaurant and booth where we had our first date!

We got married on June 23, 2007, in our church with all our family and friends in attendance. Immediately following the wedding, we spent our "honeymoon" driving up to Virginia Beach, VA, where we moved into our first home and spent the next eight years until Justin was honorably discharged from the Navy.

In 2014, we moved to Knoxville, TN, where Justin began his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, and I began working as a Social Worker. In 2020, Justin graduated from college, and we decided to move back to Alabama to be around family and friends as we began our nxt chapter!

Our Home

The plans for the home we are building are shown above. We are in the early stages of construction, beginning this fall, with the hopes of moving in by early 2025. The background picture shows the land it will be on. We will be on two acres of land next to Justin's family's 38 acres. This will provide us and our future children with family support and give them a lot of open space to play and explore.

Currently, we are renting a home on five acres next door to Marie's mother, where we have been for the past four years.

We live in a small rural town in North Alabama with the best of both worlds - a small town southern feeling and is only thirty minutes away from the nearby city with many opportunities and things to explore, including the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

Our community hosts many family-friendly events throughout the year, including craft fairs with kids activities, festivals, boat races, holiday events including firework shows, trunk or treats, visits with Santa in ‘Santa’s Village,’ and an annual Christmas parade. We are also close to two wonderful parks and local museums, and we will live in the best school system in the area. 

My immediate family includes my father, stepmother, brother, sister-in-law, and niece. My mother passed away in 2010. We currently live in the same town, and when we move, we will be living next door to my parents. They are both already wonderful grandparents to their grandkids and are looking forward to adding another child to the family.

On my father's side, my family lives in South Alabama. I keep in touch with them online and visit yearly. I have two aunts, two uncles, and several cousins on that side.

My mother's side of the family lives in East Tennessee and consists of an aunt, uncle, cousin, and grandmother. I visit my grandmother every few months.

Marie's Family

My family includes my mother and older brother since my father passed away in 2022. Justin and I live next door to my mother, with whom I have a very close relationship. She is actively involved in our lives and will continue to live in the same town when we move. This will be her first grandchild, and she eagerly looks forward to spoiling them.

My brother is married and lives less than two hours away. He visits often and is always supportive and helpful. My extended family, which includes two aunts, four uncles, and several cousins, lives throughout the East Coast. We keep in touch and try to visit as often as possible.

Justin & Marie - A Look Into Our Life

Our Pets

Animals have always been a passion for us, and prior to our current pets, we had two other dogs (pictured below) who lived until they were 13 years old.

We have always included our animals in our vacations, camping trips, and other adventures, and we can't wait to add a child to our future family adventures.

Charlie is a 3 YO Corgi who is playful and also loving. We call him "nurse charlie" because he always knows when someone is in the need of TLC and a good cuddle. 

Tucker is a 6 month old Yorkshire terrier who has such a gentle nature with a hint of a mischievous and playful side.

Both of our Dogs are great with all people and children and would love to have a human sibling to play with.

Adventure Awaits 

We enjoy exploring and doing new things. Most recently, we went on our first cruise, and we plan to travel to all of the national parks, the West Coast, and Alaska. We can't wait to add a new addition to our future trips!

Our Friends

Marie has several friends she has known since middle school and is the honorary aunt to one of her friends children. All of our friends have been very supportive of us on this journey and are excited to welcome a new member to the group.

We meet up with two of our out of state friends and their young son every few months to go "glamping". We are looking forward to having a child of our own to include in these activities. 

Family Traditions

We are fortunate to be able to spend

the holidays with both sides of the family because we live so close to each other. We have many traditions we look forward to including a child in.

- During the summers, we like to visit the Gulf Shores area and spend time in the family pool.

- Friday night is family pizza night.

- Marie's family enjoys playing poker, Uno, and Phase Ten when they get together.

- During the fall, we enjoy sitting around the bonfire together as a family and dressing up for Halloween. 

 A big tradition in Marie's family is our stockings. Her mother crocheted long stockings for everyone with their names on them, and we enjoy filling them with goodies. In recent years, we've also started playing the saran wrap ball game.

Justin's entire family, including his step-siblings, gets together during the holidays. Justin and his father use their woodworking skills to make every one a different present each year instead of buying gifts from the store.