Dear Birthmother,

How do you begin a letter to someone who might possibly give you the greatest gift life can give? As Doug and I sit down to compose this letter, we cannot physically comprehend the emotions that you and your family must be feeling right now. We do however commend you for your courage and strength that you have shown in considering adoption so that we and families like us are able to have the dream of becoming a family.

Our Relationship
We met in college, on a blind date, when Monica was in her second semester at the University of Arkansas. Doug, looking like a backstreet boy and Monica, pre-freshman 30, were a perfect match. Our relationship began on December 1st 2000 and on December 18, 2004 we were married. We have been married 3 years and live in Dallas, TX. Doug is a Nuclear Power Plant inspector and Monica is a special education teacher. During the school year our schedules are fairly busy but adhering to the work hard to play hard theory, we make time in the summer and fall to take vacations together. We both work during the school year then are off at the same time during Christmas and summer. During this time is when we love to travel to a variety of places. This last summer we took Monica’s grandparents on an Alaskan cruise and also a trip to Mexico. The other members of our family include 3 yorkies, Sophie, Bella and Spencer. They are rotten and spoiled and we hope to do better with our children!! We own a home in the north corner of Dallas, with a lake, biking trail, parks and playgrounds just around the corner.

Our parents raised us with a strong sense of human decency, a respect for other beliefs and cultures, and an appreciation of knowledge and education. These are values we feel are important to instill in our parenting efforts.

Our Baby Making Story
We have tried to get pregnant for about 2 years. . After some sole searching and talking to our family and friends we decided adoption is the way that we were meant to have a family.

Work Hard Stories
Doug has worked in Nuclear Power Plants for 7 years and loves it. He has been labeled the youngest person in the industry’s history to have the certifications and be at the level that he is. Monica is a special education teacher and teaches 5th grade in a private school in Dallas. She has been working as a teacher for 7 years and could not imagine doing anything else.

Play Hard Stories
One of the passions that we have together is the love for traveling. Within these trips we have had the most fun, entertaining, horrible, unbelievable, breathtaking times imaginable. In the last year we have taken 2 cruises on to the Caribbean (Horrible) and Alaska with my grandparents (unbelievable). On the Caribbean cruise Monica was carried away by sand fleas and has beautiful scars to show for it. In July we took my grandparents on a cruise to Alaska. We are blessed for the time that we spent on the cruise and hope to be able to introduce a new great grandchild to the grandparents soon. One of the most exciting things that we are most looking forward to is sharing our love for travel with a child.

Our Promises to a Child
10. We promise to not let you date until at least 16, maybe later.
9. We promise to let you eat desert before dinner once in a while.
8. We promise to let you play in the mud.
7. We promise to take you camping.
6. We promise to let you stay up late on weekends.
5. We promise to expose you to different cultures.
4. We promise to show you the world.
3. We promise to give you a sibling one day.
2. We promise to love you with all our hearts.
1. We promise to tell you what an incredible gift you are just where you came from.

Doug and I, as well as our family and friends, are excited about our decision to adopt. Our parents can’t wait to be grandparents, our brothers can’t wait to be uncles and we can’t wait to be a mom and a dad. We have so much to offer and are ready to give your child every opportunity imaginable to have a happy and wonderful life.

We appreciate you taking the time to learn more about us and respect the decision ahead of you. Thank you for your strength and courage of considering adoption and helping us to begin a family of our own.

Sincerely,

Doug and Monica