Algerian & American Appetizers & Entreés Vegetarian Options
By Sara Friedl-Putnam
“F
or Eric and me, coming out as gay men involved acknowledging early on in life that we were not going to have biological children,” says Andrew Ellingsen of Decorah, Iowa. “But there are children who need good homes, and we know in our hearts that we can offer them that.” Enter the charming, silver-blue, century-old house of Andrew and Eric Ellingsen, and what you see is exactly what you might expect in the home of two accomplished young professionals with no kids in tow. The house is cozy, warm, and inviting. And immaculate. Nothing appears out of place. But while this energetic, busy couple’s home is organized and tidy, they hope and plan for just a bit more chaos in the not-too-distant future. You see, Andrew and Eric are excited – they really (really!) are – to fold mountains of onesies and tiny socks. They yearn for crazy play dates and the unpredictability – sometime sadness, often joy – that goes hand-in-tiny-hand with raising a family. And they so look forward to experiencing those first words, first steps, and first days of school. Andrew and Eric dream of bringing a baby into their lives. But they need some help to fulfill that dream. “We love our life, and we can’t wait to share it with children,” Andrew and Eric write on their website DecorahDads.com, which they launched in the fall of 2013 after they were unable to find an Iowa adoption agency that aligned with their own adoption beliefs and goals. This informational, photo-filled website will, they hope, help them connect with a prospective birth mother. In the months since the site’s been live, Andrew and Eric have made some great connections with people around the globe hoping to help or relating an inspirational story, but they are still waiting to hear from a mother who can make their dream of being fathers a reality. It’s a dream they’ve harbored since meeting in the Twin Cities more than a decade ago. (Eric, then performing with the professional music group the Dale Warland Singers, fondly remembers spotting Andrew in the audience during a concert in spring 2003 and asking a friend, “WHO is that?”) Both Luther College alumni – Eric graduated with a degree in music in 1999, Andrew with a degree in music education in 2003 – the two never crossed paths on campus but soon learned they shared both a wide circle of friends and an intense passion for music and travel. By the fall of 2003, they were dating seriously, and in 2005, they were ready to take the next step. With same-sex marriage legalized only in Massachusetts at the time, they invited more than 250 friends and family members to a blessing ceremony held at the couple’s Twin Cities church. “It was very much like a traditional wedding ceremony – our parents walked us down the aisle,” says Andrew.
Sandwiches & Salads Delicious Desserts Signature Cocktails Connoisseur Beer Selection
Elkader, Iowa • 563-245-1992 • scheras.com
THE DEPOT OUTLET Monday-Friday 9-5 • Saturday 9-3 Thrift awesome clothing, books, & household goods! 563-382-2700•105 Railroad Ave, Decorah, Iowa Watch for our move to a new, bigger location this spring! www.depotoutlet.org or find us on Facebook
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theinspiredmedia.com \ Spring 2014
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