Douglas and Jillian
Hello! We are Douglas and Jillian, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to introduce ourselves and share a little about our lives, our family, and the home we hope to share with a child.
We both grew up in Portland, Oregon — Jillian was born here, and Douglas moved here when he was 5. This city has been home for most of our lives, and we often wonder if our paths crossed as children, as Jillian grew up on the west side attending Christian school and church every Sunday, while Douglas grew up on the east side surrounded by extended family and lifelong friendships that would eventually bring us together.
We met through a large group of friends, many of whom Douglas had known for years and Jillian had more recently become close with. What started as a friendship grew into love, and we began dating in 2017. The challenges and changes of 2020 gave us an even deeper appreciation for how well we support each other, and we bought our first home together at that time. Douglas proposed in Central Park in NYC in 2021, and we were married in the summer of 2023.
Douglas is known for his quick-witted sense of humor, often making self-deprecating jokes, and Jillian is known for her heartfelt laughter. Our shared sense of humor and ability to find joy in everyday moments is one of the things that makes us such a great team. Douglas is an excellent cook and Jillian loves to clean and organize, so we balance each other well at home. Douglas brings spontaneity and adventure, while Jillian brings planning and thoughtfulness to our lives. Together we love exploring new places, trying new restaurants, and making memories wherever we are. As longtime Portland Trail Blazer fans, we’ve combined our love of basketball and travel by visiting as many away games as possible.
Our home is also shared with our two 4-year-old Pomeranians, Tate and Tally. They are sweet, playful, and full of personality. They love cuddling, walks, and trips to the park and are always by our side - especially since we both work from home. We picture them as loving companions in our child’s life.
Jillian enjoys staying active, practicing yoga, reading, and being near the ocean. Douglas enjoys watching sports, listening to podcasts, thoughtful conversations, and riding his bike. We feel fortunate to live close to Oregon’s beautiful wine country and love spending time there with friends and family. Spending time with loved ones is a priority for both of us. Both of our families live nearby, and they are an important part of our lives through holidays, celebrations, and everyday moments together.
Becoming parents has been a dream we have shared for as long as we can remember. While our path to parenthood has looked different than we imagined, it has given us more time to grow, learn, and prepare for the incredible responsibility of raising a child. We feel deeply ready to devote our love, time, and energy to being parents, and we trust that our journey has unfolded in God’s timing.
If we are fortunate enough to be chosen, we want our child to grow up knowing they are deeply loved, fully accepted, and always able to come to us with anything on their heart. We hope to encourage kindness, confidence, curiosity, and an appreciation for and acceptance of others.
We also want our child to know and understand their birth family. We believe their story begins before they join our family, and we want to honor the love and strength behind the decisions that brought us together. We hope to build an open and respectful relationship with their birth family that allows them to be a meaningful part of our child’s life. Our shared goal will always be to put our child first and surround them with as much love as possible. Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and the life we hope to share. We wish you the best.
~ Douglas & Jillian
