Choose A Family : Parent Profile
Laura and John
Welcome!
We both know firsthand what a miracle adoption is, and are so excited to be taking these first steps that will someday lead to our becoming a family. We want so much to be parents, and to share our lives with a child. They will never want for anything and will be loved unconditionally. We will raise them to be knowledgeable of the world and with a sense of duty to give back and serve those who are not as fortunate as we are. We will instill a sense of self confidence and pride in them. As they make their way through the world and are faced with difficult decisions, we will support them so that they make choices that are right for them. We will teach them that every person has a story worth hearing and to notice the sheer beauty in everyday life and surroundings. We promise to laugh with them every day and show them that having fun and pursuing your joy is what makes a life full and meaningful.
We want to adopt a child because both of our families were formed through adoption. Laura’s grandparents raised their two biological children and ten adopted and fostered children together as one big rambunctious family. Her father was one of the lucky ones that were welcomed into their loving home. John’s parents had his sister Louise and then went many years without another child, so they adopted Betsy. Just after Betsy came home, John’s parents found out that they were pregnant and John came along! Because of these family experiences adoption had always been a part of our lives, and we know firsthand what a complex and wonderful thing it can be.
We are so excited to be finally beginning this journey that has brought us to you and to the beginning of our lives as a family. Our families are both so excited to welcome an adopted child… in many ways it is love coming full circle in all our lives. We invite you to join this circle and we welcome you into our hearts as well.
In these next few pages we hope to share with you a little about who we are, who we love and the things we do. Of course, there is no way to share everything that is in our hearts, so please know we would welcome your contact and questions.
Laura shares a little about John
I met John on Match.com in 2005. John had all the qualities that I wanted in a partner, best friend and husband, plus he is tall – and because I’m 5’9” I forgive many things for tall! John is a mechanical engineer and as you can imagine, he is logical and a little bit goofy (in a good way!).
John passionately believes that he must leave this world a better place. He has been actively involved in Habitat for Humanity for over 10 years and currently sits on the Habitat board in our town. He loves to work with power tools and build things, so Habitat gives him the perfect outlet to “play with his toys” and help a family get a home of their own. Habitat has taken him to Peru and Honduras to help there, and twice he took his personal vacation time to go help out in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina to help rebuild.
John is a good listener and sensitive man. He also is the kindest most thoughtful person that I have ever met. I love that he sends me cards, leaves me notes and takes care of me when I am sick. But he is not perfect… he has no rhythm at all and when he dances it is a train wreck! John is a wonderful uncle and loves being around children. He has the patience of a saint when it comes to a child’s curiosity and playfulness. John will be a loving and nurturing father.
About Laura
Laura is a friend, counselor and the one so many people turn to. From the beginning, I was attracted to Laura’s smile and genuine warmth. She made me laugh and continues to do so (she even helps me to laugh at myself.) The first time Laura met my two young nieces, she won a very special place in their hearts because she helped them rescue a stray cat who had wandered on to my deck. Laura is extremely loyal and always finds the time to be there for her friends and family.
She is very self-sacrificing with time and energy. Children of all ages brighten up when Laura enters a room and the warmth that surrounds her spreads over everybody. One of Laura’s biggest gifts is that she does more than listen; she helps everyone, of all ages, to find their own path. She helps everyone to see and reach their dreams and to have fun at the same time. I am very lucky to be married to her and know that she will be a wonderful mother.
Family and Friends
By Laura:We have family dinners most Sunday’s with our “family” here in Charlotte. John and I are not related to them, but they took me under their wing when I moved to Charlotte over 10 years ago and we have been family ever since! We are all Italian so everyone is talking at once, eating until they burst and don’t stop until long after coffee and desert are finished. This tradition allows us to connect with each other and share the events of the past week, our hopes, dreams and challenges. Everyone is very excited to add a new child to our Sunday night tradition!
One of the most important people in my life is my Grandmother. Along with my grandfather, they had a dozen boys (biological and adopted) growing up together and were a tight knit bunch. My grandmother always said “We did not have lots of money, but we were happy. There is never a shortage of love in our house, and that makes us rich indeed.” My Grandmother and I are extremely close and talk on the phone every week. She has supported and encouraged our adoption journey and at almost 88 years old, she is eager to meet a new grandbaby!
In our family we judge success not by how much money or stuff we have, but rather the extent to which our family and loved ones are healthy, happy and feeling loved. Like my grandmother, we are “rich indeed”; blessed beyond measure by a large, loving and welcoming family that stands ready to embrace our child when we are fortunate enough to be parents.
By John:We go to the beach every year with much of my extended family. We rent a house on an island off the South Carolina coast for a week, and we all sunbathe, swim, play lots of games and eat, eat, eat. It is a great time to slow down, relax and enjoy each other’s company.
Our house is the gathering place for our friends and neighbors. We host many holiday parties, birthday parties, barbeques and game nights. We love to have people in our house relaxed, comfortable, and having fun! We always have games and activities for the kids, I’ve been told that if Laura can’t find me, all she has to do is listen to hear where the kids are playing and that’s where I’ll be. (Guilty as charged!)
Our Work
Laura: I am the Director of Healthcare for a large, multi-national organization. I work out of my home office and have tremendous flexibility with my job because of that.
John: I am a mechanical engineer involved in the design and construction of power plants. My company offers a flexible schedule so I am able to be home every other Friday and to work from home a few days a week.
What we do when we're not working!
We enjoy going to the theater and movies, and on quiet nights we watch movies together at home. John likes more serious action, history or dramas. Laura can do those, but loves a good relationship story (John says that means chick flick!)
We love to cook together. Working together in the kitchen and feeding family and friends is one of our favorite pastimes.
Laura loves to golf, read, travel, cook and garden. She looks forward to being outside in the yard with a child, “playing in the dirt” in the garden together and reading books to them under the trees in the yard.
John is an avid woodworker and has a shop in the garage. John has made cabinets, chairs and many other things for the house and friends and is currently working on the nursery under Laura’s decorating direction.
Of course, we both love spending time with the special little ones in our lives!
Our Home and Community
JJohn’s father made us a wedding gift of a hand carved plaque that reads “Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much” in wood cut outs in script and painted red. We display it in our home proudly… it pretty much sums up our philosophy on life.
We live in an all brick, two-story home that we built in 2007. It is bigger than we need for the two of us with 5 bedrooms, but one is Laura’s office and we hope to fill at least one with a child and have the others for our frequent family and friends that visit.
Our neighborhood is a small one that is culturally diverse. We live on a cul-de-sac that allows for the neighborhood children to ride their bikes, play outside and the adults to interact.
We live in a small town on the outskirts of Charlotte, NC. Being a part of small town there are numerous community events (concerts in the park, community festivals, community theater, etc.), but we have access to the resources and attractions of a large city.
In Closing
Our families know firsthand what a selfless gift adoption is, and we are grateful that you are considering us to raise your child. We promise you that we will be loving and supportive parents whose only goal is life will be to raise a happy and healthy child. We have been very fortunate to have close and loving families and friends who are eager to welcome a new member to our family. We know that a child needs to be exposed to different cultures, experiences and people, and we promise to show our child the world. They will visit family and friends all over the US and England every year. We will encourage their imagination and dreams through play, reading and listening.
Your child will never doubt that there are many people that love them with all their hearts; they will be told that they are loved every day and they will be showered in hugs and kisses. We will encourage them to be lifelong learners and pursue both a formal education and learn lessons from life experience. We also promise to do our best to protect them from the hard things in life and when they do get bruised by life, we promise to hug them and help them pick themselves up and heal. But most of all, we promise to be the foundation for this child to be self confident and pursue whatever interests them and brings them joy and peace.
Thank you for reading our story and listening to our hopes and dreams. We hope that you find the path that will bring you comfort and peace. We will hold you gently in our thoughts.
If you would like to speak with us about adopting your child or have any questions for us please contact one of our adoption advisors at AdoptHelp by calling toll free 1-800- 637-7999.
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