Melissa & Ned

We live in New Jersey near the coast, right outside Ned's hometown, one mile from the beach. We moved to be closer to friends and family; having a family is the most important thing to us for the last few years and we believe it takes a village to raise a child. That village includes Ned’s family nearby, along with the other local couples and families we are friends with. We love our house because it is near all the people we love. We are also such big fans of the area we live in. Schools, basketball courts, parks, and ball fields are all within walking distance. The beach and bay are short drives and our neighbors bike outside and walk their dogs daily. The park nearby has outdoor showings of children’s movies in the summer that we can’t wait to bring our child to. Whatever a child enjoys doing will be encouraged in our family and they’ll have the chance to explore here. We feel so at home and comfortable here. The house itself is beautifully sunlit and open. A family room leads to a large dining area connected to our open kitchen (which overlooks the backyard). We have another living room area past that's perfect for relaxing family time. There are skylights throughout the house that allow natural light in at all times, and it feels cheerful in any weather.

Ned is my favorite person in the world, and if you met him, I am sure you'd immediately warm to him, too. This is because Ned loves people–he wants everyone around him to be happy, and he wants to contribute to their happiness. Ned is unique (to me) in that he gets his energy from other people. Sometimes I need to recharge, so it's nice knowing Ned is there to make sure we get out and see people we love regularly. One of the first things I learned is that his family is incredibly important, and he always makes time to keep up with them. Ned is also big into physical wellness. He was a big runner when we met, and he still ensures that he focuses on working out almost every day. He has so much enthusiasm and energy for getting out & moving, that with him, I have also climbed mountains I never planned on, and ran an ultra trail race with him last year. I love that he cares so much about wellness and makes it a priority, and am confident that he & our children (and me) will stay mobile, active, and energetic for a long time! Ned is also one of the funniest people I've ever met. He immediately made me comfortable the first time we spoke, and had me laughing at ridiculous comments. I have never laughed more, and together, we can be our true selves. I just have the absolute best time hanging out with Ned. Ned works in business development (no surprise he's wonderful at working with strangers, he's so friendly). He began his career in sports journalism, and met some very interesting people along the way. While I think he's wonderful at his job, Ned is so much more than that; I am so grateful to be with such a warm, funny, friendly person for life–and I hope you get to meet him soon, too!

Melissa never ceases to amaze me. She is the warmest, kindest person I know and I consistently find myself laughing out loud at her quick wit. Melissa really listens to you when you speak and because of that she has created incredible bonds with the important people in her life. I first met Melissa after a group run. I noticed her as she was speaking with a group and making everyone laugh. I knew right away I wanted to be part of the conversation as she added so much life to the group. Before Melissa joined I rarely hung out after runs but after speaking with her that first night I found reasons to hang out after going forward. What made me so interested in Melissa is how smart, funny and focused she is. This is evident not just with family but work as well. Melissa is the biggest supporter and protector for people that report into her, going out of her way to ensure their efforts are recognized and rewarded. It’s this dedication to the people in her life that I find most attractive about Melissa and why I know she will be an amazing mother. Melissa is even more in tune with her father, sister, friends from St. Louis and NYC. Along with regular trips to see everyone, Melissa keeps in touch with friends no matter where they are. With her sister on the West Coast and friends living overseas she is always working out when they can get on the phone. Melissa is always there, and the consistency that she keeps makes those relationships so strong and fun. What you will notice meeting Melissa is she truly cares. She has a warm smile, listens to what you say and has an appropriate response (whether a quick joke or a needed hug). She is also the smartest person I know, reads voraciously, and is the best adventure partner. She makes me a better person and there is no better partner to do life with.