Hello! We met in 2009 in college at Colorado State University in a social work class called Tribes, Women and Children, and from the earliest time in our relationship, we talked about someday wanting a family. After graduating, we moved to Portland, OR, without jobs and with a month’s worth of rent money! Joe started working in construction at first, and Philip started at the front desk of a doctor’s office within a week, and we never looked back! Over time, Philip worked his way up through his company to a senior position where he now works from home and manages his own schedule. Joe eventually got a job working as a social worker with kids in the foster care system as a long term youth mentor with Friends of the Children. In 2023, we made the decision to move to Milwaukee with our dogs to start a new life that included Phil’s Dad that needed more support. We were his caregivers for the last 2 years of his life, and although his Dad is no longer with us, it was one of his last wishes to be here to see us start a family. We are so excited for this next chapter!