Couple’s energy leads to adoption of three

Palace City Profiles is an ongoing series of community members' stories, introducing us to our neighbors and the personalities that call Mitchell home. If you have suggestions for individuals or families with a great story, please contact Jacki Miskimins at 996-1140.

Jason Von Eye's heart belongs to the land. For as long as he can remember, he has loved agriculture. "It's the only thing I've ever done," he says. "I was in a tractor before I could crawl. I remember I'd grab my pillow, my blanket, get in the 44-40 and lay down at my dad's feet - and that's a small cab!"

After graduating high school from Wessington Springs in 2003, he spent over a decade alternating between his grandfather's excavation business and working for a local farmer.

Emily Von Eye's heart held a pulmonary complication. For as long as she can remember, Emily, who grew up in Armour, had never had much energy for sports or other activities. She would ultimately require five surgeries - including three before second grade - and a permanent pacemaker-defibrillator. But her sense of energy to try new things has been a constant, and when it comes to her family, following her heart has never steered her wrong.

When they met through mutual friends in 2006, it was a whirlwind - and within two months, Emily had moved back from Sioux Falls where she'd worked as a radio DJ.

"We jumped all over those first couple years," Emily says. "Randomly doing stuff, trying new things."

Eventually they settled in Mitchell, a nice in-between of where they were from. They married in 2009.

Family was important to them, but the couple faced a major obstacle on the route to building their own.

"Even before we got married, we knew my heart condition meant no kids," Emily says. "So we started looking at all of our options."

They decided that fostering to adopt was the right fit for them and began classes in March of 2010.

"We were told it would take a while, maybe a couple years, to get approved and be matched, so we thought we'd start early to have the best chance," Jason explains.

Understandably, they were surprised to receive a call just months later in June.

"They said, 'We have three kids for you to meet,' " Emily says.

"So Jason, Mr. Let's-Jump-Right-In, said, 'Oh this is going to be a piece of cake,' " Emily recalls, laughing. "I said, 'For who?' "

The initial meeting brought a mix of emotions, and a few weeks later, the Von Eyes asked to meet with the kids again. The three siblings, then aged 2, 3 and 5, moved in with the couple in September. The following July, one year after their first meeting, it was official: Emily and Jason adopted all three of their children.

"For a long while, whenever we'd drive by the courthouse, [our oldest] would say, 'That's where we became Von Eyes!' " Jason says.

Later on, they'd learn that it was their energy - Emily's trademark, though a surprising one - that caught the attention of their caseworker.

"When we first thought about fostering, we thought we might adopt one child," Emily says. "Then they called us with three!"

With their permanent family complete, life went on. Emily's employer closed down in 2012, and at the suggestion of a friend, she applied to become a paraeducator in the Mitchell School District.

"Initially they thought I'd want to work in the grade school. But I thought, no, high school sounds like fun," Emily says. "And it is fun. The high schoolers are hilarious - and they know so much! You want to know what's going on in town, talk to a high schooler. Best kept secret in town."

This coming school year, Emily is excited to be moving from the high school to Second Chance High - and is looking forward to the new challenge.

Meanwhile, in 2014, Jason decided it was time for a different kind of change and enrolled at Mitchell Technical Institute for Agriculture Technology. That same year, he began working at CHS Farmer's Alliance in the agronomy center, primarily driving truck to support other areas of operation. The following summer, he took on the role of full-time commercial applicator, a position he maintains today.

The Von Eyes are still registered foster parents and over the years have taken in several children on a short-term basis. As we talked about their experience, a nearby child asked, "What does foster mean?" Without hesitation, Emily explained: "It just means help out."

An answer from the heart.