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Brandan & Ryan

Brandan & Ryan

Fun Facts

Brandan’s Fun Facts

  • Some of his favorite childhood memories are from summers spent with friends at YMCA camp in Michigan.
  • He started his career as an engineer before becoming a lawyer and enjoys tackling a good problem.
  • He loves cars and enjoys keeping them clean, polished and running their best.
  • He’s proudly from the South Side of Chicago and a devoted White Sox fan.
  • He loves discovering new restaurants, interesting places, and hidden gems and sharing those discoveries with the people around him.

Ryan’s Fun Facts

  • He performed improv comedy at The Second City in Chicago, which fits a love of humor and making people laugh.
  • He’s a huge Rolling Stones fan who especially loves seeing them perform live.
  • He once ran for Illinois State Representative, putting a passion for community and public service into action.
  • He will never turn down an opportunity to swim in Lake Michigan, no matter how cold the water is.
  • He loves to bake, especially seasonal pies and Christmas cookies.

Hello!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about us. We know that considering adoption is an incredibly personal decision, and we have deep respect for the love and thought that goes into choosing a path for your child.

We are excited to become parents through adoption. We hope to provide a child with a home filled with love, laughter, stability and the freedom to become exactly who they are meant to be.

About Us

We live in Winnetka, just north of Chicago near the shore of Lake Michigan. We both work as attorneys, and outside of work we enjoy traveling, spending time outdoors and gathering with family and friends.

Much of our favorite time together is simple: Summer afternoons at the beach, evenings at home, weekend trips and time with the people we love. Becoming parents has been one of our biggest dreams.

Meet Brandan

Brandan grew up on the South Side of Chicago and is one of three children. He attended Whitney Young High School before transferring to Illinois Math and Science Academy, then attended Northwestern University for both college and graduate school. Brandan began his career as an engineer before becoming a lawyer, combining his love of learning with his natural inclination toward problem solving.

Brandan enjoys discovering new things and sharing them with the people around him. Whether he is finding a new restaurant, exploring a piece of history or visiting somewhere new, he loves turning discoveries into shared experiences. Outside of work, Brandan enjoys working out, biking along the North Shore and watching sports. He also enjoys home improvement projects.

Ryan loves that Brandan is thoughtful and curious. He listens closely, asks meaningful questions and has a way of making people feel heard. He also brings a sense of humor and lightness to everyday life.

Meet Ryan

Ryan grew up in a suburb of Detroit with his parents and younger brother. He attended the University of Michigan before earning his law degree from the University of Miami. He enjoys work that allows him to help people and solve problems.

Ryan loves bringing people together and making the most of the time he shares with others. He has always been active, especially when it involves water, and swam competitively through high school before working as a swim coach and lifeguard. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys biking to the beach, swimming in Lake Michigan, baking pies and cookies, and watching Michigan football games with friends. He also performed improv comedy while living in Chicago and is a huge Rolling Stones fan.

Brandan loves that Ryan is compassionate, joyful and quick to make people laugh. He has a gift for making ordinary moments feel special and reminding the people around him how much they are loved.

Our Home and Community

We live in a 105 year old house that we immediately fell in love with. Since moving in, we have spent many weekends restoring and personalizing it, bringing warmth and character back into each space. It is a place where family and friends gather and where we enjoy spending time together.

We love Winnetka for its strong sense of community, beautiful neighborhoods and the way people look out for one another. Neighbors greet each other on walks, children ride bikes through the streets and families build lasting connections.

We also value Winnetka’s excellent schools and the opportunities the community provides for children to learn, explore and grow. In the warmer months, some of our favorite days include biking to the beach, swimming in Lake Michigan and stopping for ice cream on the way home.

Our Hope for an Open Adoption

Our hearts are open not only to your child, but to you as well. We believe children benefit from understanding where they come from, and we are committed to helping a child maintain a meaningful connection to their story and to you. We are open to sharing photos and updates and staying connected through texts, phone calls, emails and scheduled visits. We understand every adoption relationship is unique, and we want to approach ours with honesty, flexibility and care.

We hope to build a relationship rooted in trust and openness, while listening to what feels right for you and what best supports the child as they grow. Thank you for taking the time to learn about us.

Brandan & Ryan

Contact the Cradle

We’re available 24/7. All of your information is confidential.

To speak to someone now, call our 24-hour hotline: (800) 272-3534 or text us at (312) 800-1559 (answered 8:30am-8pm).

If you’d like us to contact you, please fill out the form.

Cradle
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