Age: 38
Occupation: History Teacher
Favorite Food: Chicken Parmesan
Favorite Ice Cream: Cookies n’ Cream
Favorite Sport: Football
Favorite Music: Country

What Michelle has to say…

My favorite thing about Jim is that he can strike up a conversation with anyone.  I honestly can say that I have never met anyone that did not love him.  He is kind, caring, patient, thoughtful, respectful, outgoing, and most importantly funny.  Jim always knows how to make me laugh.  He really is my perfect match.  

Jim is the type of person to always put others before himself.  He's devoted, loyal and would do anything to help a friend or family member in need.  I also love that he enjoys spending time with both of our families just as much as I do. I love watching him interact with children.  He has a fun-loving personality and children love to be around him.   

All of these wonderful qualities are going to make him an amazing father. 

Age: 39
Occupation: School Psychologist
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite Ice Cream: Peanut Butter
Favorite Sport: Football
Favorite Music: Country 

What Jim has to say…

When I met Michelle in 2001, I knew one day that I would marry her. My favorite thing about Michelle is her big heart. She is a kind, caring, and gentle person that loves to spend time with our families and help others in need. Whether it be baking 30 different kinds of Christmas cookies with her mom, having a family dinner at home, or going to our niece's pee wee football games to watch her cheer on her team, she loves family time. 

When spending time with family, her face lights up even more and she enjoys chatting with her cousins and visiting with their children. Michelle also helps out friends and family in need. She takes on challenges head on and does not quit. She is a great listener, offers advice, and is a shoulder to cry on when needed.  I met my life partner when I married Michelle.

We were both born and raised in western Pennsylvania.  We met 18 years ago while we were going to college.  We started dating and knew pretty early on that we were perfect for each other.  We dated for quite a few years before getting married, as we were both finishing our degrees and starting our careers in education.  We were married on October 18, 2008. 

We both work full-time in education and love working with children.  Jim is employed by a city public school district as a history teacher and Michelle is a school psychologist in the school district where we live.  When not at work, we love spending time with family and friends.  We are always on-the-go but also enjoy relaxing evenings at home.  

Jim enjoys: golfing, playing games/cards, teaching, sports, fantasy football and grilling 

Michelle enjoys: baking, reading, going to the symphony/musicals, any beach, trying new things, baking, and singing/playing clarinet as part of the music ministry at church.  

We enjoy: football games (Go Steelers!), trying new restaurants, campfires, road trips/traveling, cruises, concerts, and time with family and friends. 

Jim’s Family

Jims family consists of his mother and stepfather (Lynn and Gary), as well as his older sister and brother-in-law (Kristy and Chris). Jim has one niece (Kendall) and one nephew (Carter).  He also considers his cousin Robbie to be like a brother to him.  Jim's mother and stepfather have always been there for him.  He comes from a family of educators who have impacted the lives of many children over the years and they have helped shape Jim into who he is today.  

His family all lives within 30 minutes of us and we see them often for family dinners, swimming, holidays, birthdays, vacations, get togethers, etc.  Jim also has extended family members that live close to us that we see regularly.  We have had the pleasure of getting to watch our niece and nephew grow up and love spending time with them.  We cannot wait to add a cousin to the family. 

Michelle’s Family

Michelle's family consists of her mother and father (George and Millie).  She would not be the person that she is without their constant love and support. They mean the world to her and she could never thank them enough for all they have done and continue to do.  Growing up, Michelle was blessed to also share her home with her maternal grandmother who moved in with them shortly after Michelle was born.  Michelle does not have any brothers or sisters, but considers her cousins on both sides of her family to be like siblings. 

Michelle has a very close knit family who spend a lot of time together.  We are fortunate to live across the street from Michelle's cousin and her family, so not more than a few days ever goes by without us spending time with one family member or another.  Family has always been an important part of Michelle's life and she has fond memories of times together including vacations to Erie and Wildwood, camping trips, fishing trips, family dinners, holidays, Steelers games, bowling, picnics, birthday celebrations, and countless other activities.  We look forward to sharing these and creating our own traditions as a family.  

Our families have so many wonderful traditions that we look forward to each year.  We hope to continue these traditions and start some of our own!  

Some of our favorites include:

• Baking birthday cakes with our niece and nephew
• Theme dinners on vacation
• Ugly Christmas Sweaters and other family fun on New Year’s Eve
• Celebrating holidays 2x in the same day with both families
• Yearly beach vacations
• Baking Christmas cookies to share with family and friends
• Tailgating before Steelers games
• Concerts in the park
• Halloween parades
• Thanksgiving dinners
• Family picnic fun
•  Attending fairs and local festivals

In the summer of 2018 we moved into our current home, which was designed and built with love by a local builder who also happens to be our relative.  We LOVE our new home and cannot wait to raise a family here.  Our home has 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and sits on a quarter acre of land.  We are lucky enough to live directly across the street from Michelle's cousin and her family so we get to see them often. We live in a wonderful community about 20 miles outside of Pittsburgh.  Our school district is fantastic and is also the same district where Michelle works.  One of our favorite parts of the house is the outdoor patio and fire pit.  We love to have friends and family over for s'mores!