Karen and Ryan

How We Met We met thirteen years ago during graduate school at the University of Toronto. Karen was completing her PhD in clinical psychology; Ryan was working on his Master’s in counselling psychology. We were drawn to each other by a shared curiosity about people, a love of music, and a sense of humour and play. Who We Are We’ve been married nine years now. In that time, we’ve built a life rooted in honesty and kindness. When things get hard, we talk. When we disagree, we listen. We’ve learned that showing up for each other in small ways, every day, is what makes a marriage strong. Karen spent her childhood moving between countries. She lived in Hong Kong, South Africa, Australia, and eventually Canada. Each move brought grief as she said goodbye to friends. But it also taught her something she carries with her: no matter where you go, people want the same things—love and acceptance. Ryan grew up in Ontario. His favourite memories are camping in the mountains of British Columbia with his family and gathering with loved ones for the holidays. Ryan continues to love the outdoors and physical activities to this day, including weightlifting and martial arts. We are different in many ways, but we balance each other. Karen is practical and steady. Ryan is warm and reflective. Together, we make decisions thoughtfully and support each other completely. What We Do We are both therapists. Nearly four years ago, we opened a mental health clinic in Kingston, Ontario. Ryan works as a psychotherapist and Karen is a clinical psychologist. We help adults struggling with different kinds of mental health issues, and are involved in an international community of therapists who focus on excellence in mental health care. We also run an organization in Ontario to help other therapists learn and become better at what they do. Owning our practice gives us the flexibility to take time off when our child arrives. We control our work schedules, so we can be sure our child will always come first. How We Plan to Parent We love children and spend time with our nephew and friends’ children whenever we can. We are beyond excited at the prospect of welcoming a child into our family. Our greatest priority will be keeping your child safe in a world that feels uncertain. While we can’t control what the world is doing, as therapists, we believe we can help a child become resilient and strong to deal with whatever life brings. We want to be the kind of parents a child feels safe turning to with any struggles. The image we hold onto is simple: sitting on the edge of the bed at night, talking through whatever is hard, offering comfort when it is needed. Ryan’s father did this for him as a teenager. They would sit on the edge of the bed and talk through the problems that teenagers face. It meant everything and we want to pass that on. We believe children need both warmth and structure. They need to know they are loved unconditionally, and they also need guidance as they learn to navigate the world. We want our child to feel confident enough to try new things, knowing we will always be there if they fall. We also have a dog named Scully, a six-year-old Shiloh Shepherd who is gentle, loyal, and protective. She will be a loving companion for a child. Where We Live We own a home in a quiet neighbourhood in Kingston, Ontario. Our house has three bedrooms, a finished basement, and a large backyard. The neighbourhood is close to parks and schools, and there is a tobogganing hill a short walk away. Kingston is a wonderful city for families. There are programs for children in sports and arts, historical sites to explore, and festivals throughout the year. We look forward to sharing all of it with a child. Our Family Our families are excited to welcome your child, as well. Ryan has a younger brother with a five-year-old son who will become your child’s cousin. Ryan’s dad loves children and is looking forward to going camping and adventuring together. Karen’s mother lives nearby in Kingston and is eager to be a grandmother. She is caring and protective, and she loves to cook healthy Chinese meals for her family. We have close friends with young children and when we gather, the house fills with noise and laughter. We look forward to bringing your child into that circle. Why Adoption Adoption has been part of our story from the beginning. Karen has wanted to adopt since high school. She had a close friend who was adopted and taught her that family is built through love, not biology. She also learned how important it is for adopted children to have support when they are curious about where they come from. Ryan’s father was adopted and raised by parents who loved him completely. That love shaped him into one of the kindest, most accepting men Ryan has ever known. Ryan’s father once said of his birth mother: “I know how much she loved me because of the decision she made.” He understood her choice as the greatest gift she could have given him. We will help your child to know that same truth.