We are Owen, Anna, & Zelie Shaffer.

Here’s our story in a nutshell:

2015 – Owen & Anna meet online and have their first date at Lockview in Akron.

2016 – Just 5 months later, Owen proposes! (When you know, you know!)

2017 – We get married!

Later in 2017 – We commit to becoming full-time missionaries for 1 year in Louisiana and move down south.

2018 – Owen is offered a great job back in Akron and we finally get pregnant after 2 years of trying to conceive.

2019 – We buy our first home in Akron & Zelie is born!

NOW – After years of praying, we feel God has given us the “green light” to pursue growing our family through adoption.

Some things we love:

Jesus, family jam sessions, inside jokes, tickle fights, ice cream for lunch, dance parties, praying together, big birthday celebrations, reading books, barefoot river walks, road-tripping to see friends, movie nights with snacks, rolling down hills, going to the zoo, hanging with grandparents & family, donuts after church, and family traditions.

Fun facts:

– Owen has 1 tattoo and Anna has 7. They’d both like to get more.

– Anna did mission work in Mexico and India after her first trip to Romania.

– Everyone in the Shaffer family puts ketchup on their mac + cheese.

– Owen has one brother and Anna has one brother & one sister – they all love being aunts and uncles!

ABOUT US

The 2 best words to describe Owen

Goofy and kind. (And thoughtful and wise. 2 is just not enough words!)

Owen has a degree in accounting from the University of Akron and works as a life insurance agent (from home!) for the Knights of Columbus.

He plays the Irish accordion (for real!) professionally & recreationally. This is a family tradition – his grandfather taught him when he was 5 years old!

His perfect Saturday afternoon would include grilling outside with the family & listening to Cajun music.

Owen’s favorite thing about his family of origin is how LARGE and close it is – he has a gazillion cousins and grew up around them all. He hopes for the same for his kids.

about owen

The 2 best words to describe Anna: passionate and warm.

Anna has a degree in theology from Franciscan University & teaches women how to chart their cycles and advocate medically using a Fertility Awareness Method called Creighton.

She loves to sing & play guitar, and her favorite band to blast throughout the house is Maverick City Music.

One of her favorite things to do is eat a big brunch and then take long a nap – the ultimate luxury!

ABOUT anna

Named after a French Saint, Zelie is just as unique as her name.

At nearly 3 years old, she is feisty, clever, and full of ways to make everyone laugh.

She is known around town as “The Mayor” because of how she likes to talk to (and often hug & kiss) everyone she encounters.

about Zelie

Owen grew up here in Akron

About 10 minutes away from where we live, and Anna grew up 20 minutes north. Both Owen’s and Anna’s parents live within 20 minutes of us and we see both families several times a week. They love taking Zelie for adventures! Our favorite part of living in Akron is having family so close and being 5 houses down from our church! We also love that our house was built in the 1920s and has a fully fenced backyard – great for dogs and kiddos!

We have two furry friends at home: Ollie & Goose. Ollie (a 3 yo cat), has 3 legs and definitely believes he is the alpha of the family. Goose (still a puppy, just a year old!) is a sweet, crazy fur ball who’s favorite past-times seem to be taking long naps and then running full speed through the house with Zelie.

ABOUT our home/pets