Stephanie & Cecil Jr

Our story began in 2020 in a way neither of us expected. At the time, Cecil was traveling across the country as a truck driver, while Stephanie was teaching preschool in West Michigan. What started as online conversations quickly grew into something special as we spent hours talking, texting, and video chatting, getting to know each other and building a strong connection.

When the COVID shutdowns brought Cecil home, we were finally able to meet in person, and our relationship blossomed. Even when he returned to the road, we knew we had found something worth holding onto. A few months later, Cecil made the life-changing decision to leave his traveling job and move to Michigan so we could build a future together.

Since then, we have shared every step of life side by side. We moved in together, became engaged, purchased our first home, and were married in 2024. What began as an unexpected connection has grown into a loving partnership built on commitment, laughter, and the dream of sharing our lives with a child.

Family is everything to us. Stephanie, the youngest of four, grew up helping care for her niece and nephew—who felt more like siblings—and now delights in watching them raise their own kids. Cecil’s close-knit family—his parents and two older brothers—live a few hours away, so we visit monthly for deck dinners, dog playtime, and game nights.

We’re lucky to have friends who’ve become like family. Many are raising kids or celebrating milestones, so there’s always support, encouragement, and shared laughter. Locally we get together about once a month to hang out by the pool, try new restaurants, go to festivals or concerts, or enjoy cozy movie nights. Cecil’s longtime friends are across the state, but we make a point to reunite a few times a year for community events and quality catch-ups. We love making memories, celebrating life’s moments, and sharing them with the people we care about.

Adoption was not part of our original plan, but it has become one of the greatest gifts in our journey. As a child, Stephanie bravely battled cancer and later learned that the treatments that saved her life would prevent her from having a biological child. Although that news was heartbreaking, her dream of becoming a mother never faded. Caring for and nurturing children has always been a natural part of who she is.

When we found each other, we knew we wanted to share our love, laughter, and lives with a child. As we explored our options, adoption felt like the path we were meant to follow. We are deeply grateful for adoption and for the incredible courage, love, and selflessness of birth parents who make families like ours possible.