Shawna & Trent

About Us

We actually met in Highschool! Trent was in Grade 11 and I (Shawna), Grade 12. Back then, it was a big deal dating a younger guy but we are really only 6 months in age apart! We continued to date as I left for University and Trent followed to the College next door the following year.

Since then, we have shared many milestones together: pursuing our careers, Shawna becoming a teacher and Trent starting his own successful business, building two homes, purchasing a family cottage to enjoy in the summer and on weekends, and welcoming our two beautiful children into our lives.

We both have very close extended families. Trent is actually an identical triplet, and considers all his brothers, his best friends. Our children love and adore our parents and all their aunts, uncles and cousins. It is always a lot of fun when we get everyone together. Always chaotic in the best of ways.

We became parents in 2020 to our son, Lawson and then Willa at the beginning of 2023. Being their parents is the greatest joy and honour of our lives, and now we’re so excited to add one more child to our family through adoption.

About Shawna (by Shawna)

I was born and raised on the Bruce Peninsula, a beautiful, tourist area that I get to live in year-round and explore with my children all the time! With access to many beaches all around, I grew up in and on the water. Although I moved away for five year to attend University, I always knew this was where I would want to raise my family.

I am an elementary school year, currently teaching Grade 6/7 but my passion is supporting students with exceptionalities. I love being able to have such an impact on children’s lives at such as integral part of their development. My son just started Kindergarten in the school that I work at so it is so nice to be able to see him throughout the day as well.

More About Shawna (by Trent)

Shawna is an amazing mom and I am can’t wait to continue to grow our family with her. She loves our children so deeply and I love watching how it grows every day. After fifteen + years together, I find more that I love, respect, and admire about Shawna all the time.

She cares so much about her friends and family and always puts other first. She is an extremely hard worker and always strives to do her best. She likes to keep busy and is always participating in all the family-oriented community events around town. We have a good balance when it comes to the house hold obligations. We both understand that it is not always 50-50 in a relationship and sometimes one person may need more support than the other.

About Trent (by Trent)

I too, grew up on the Bruce Peninsula in a small town called Wiarton. I grew up in a household with 4 brothers and 1 sister (blended family). My brothers and I were all very into sports, specifically, Hockey. My brothers and I played competitive hockey so many of our weekends were spent at the arena. After high school, I went to college for Plumbing Techniques (also so I could be close to Shawna). I worked for some local Plumbers for a while until I was confident enough to start my own business. I have been really successful so far and now have one employee as well.

One reason I decided to become an entrepreneur is to be able to be my own boss and have flexibility for our family – I can pick up my son and daughter from school and daycare whenever and volunteer at school events when needed. I still love to play hockey but just recreationally now, and our son, Lawson has took some interest in skating so I am excited to teach him all the tricks!

More About Trent (by Shawna)

Trent is very generous. Always willing to help others in need. The thing I adore the most about Trent though- is his deep love for his children. Watching Trent become a father has definitely made me love him even more. He is, hands-down, the best dad anyone could ask for. You never have to ask him to help with the children because he is already doing it and wanting to.

Trent loves golfing and playing hockey with his buddies. He is usually the one organizing these events and making sure everyone can make it.  One thing I love about Trent is just spending time with him, whether it’s going out for dinner and a movie, or even just relaxing at home.

Trent is from a large family with 5 siblings and 7 nieces and nephews (all of which are 10 and under) who all live within a short drive from us.

His mom, Terrisa and step-dad Dan, lives only 10 minutes from us and have a pool in their backyard so their outdoor oasis makes for a great family gathering during the summer.

Shawna’s Family

Shawna’s parents live 10 minutes away and we see them at least twice a week. They live at the beach so we all love visiting! They take both of the children 1 day/ week to spend time with them so we can have some couple time. Shawna’s sister lives 15 minutes with 2 children; 8 and 6 who love to play with Lawson and Willa. Once a year we all go away for a family vacation. Our past trips have included different locations in Florida and Arizona.

Our Home & Community

We live on the beautiful Bruce Peninsula- a very sought-after vacation area that we get to call home. It is a rural area with lots of small town community events that we like to participate in.

We live in a lovely neighborhood that has a school, a gas station, a park, ball diamond and a couple of convenience stores. There is many larger shopping areas only a short drive away from us (10 minutes). Our area  is very family friendly and many of our close friends and their young children live nearby.

We live in a beautiful 4 bedroom home that we just built last year with a large fenced in backyard, perfect for children to play in.

Our Thoughts about Parenting & Adoption

As adoptive parents, we already have experience with adoption and openness. Our son has an open adoption with his biological mother. She doesn’t want the visits and updates currently and we are very respectful of her decision. Maybe one day, she will want that, and we will be ready and happy to support her with that. We feel strongly that it is the biological parent’s choice as to what type of adoption they feel comfortable with. We understand that you made an adoption plan out of the most incredible expression of love for your child. We promise to embrace and celebrate your child’s cultural identity and honour every part of their story and family history (like food, event, holidays & much more)!

We will respect your decision on how you’d like to stay in touch and receive updates on your child throughout their life. We would love to have a relationship with you and will follow your lead on how you’d like stay connected as your child grows up. We will always be here for you.

Closing Thoughts

Thank you for taking the time to consider us as you make this difficult decision. We want you to know that we will love your child unconditionally. We promise to surround them with love and provide them with every opportunity to follow their dreams and explore their passions – with lots of laughter and fun along the way.

We promise to raise them with a deep appreciation for who you are and the love that you have for them. We promise they will be doted on by their big siblings, who are being raised in all the ways we promise to raise your child. We would love to stay in contact with you if that is what you desire however if not, we will respect and understand that too.

We are confident in all of this, because it’s exactly how we are raising our children now.