Choose A Family : Parent Profile
Julie & Mark
Dear Birth Mother,
Hello, we are Mark and Julie. We are inspired by your choice of adoption. You are doing the most selfless and courageous thing a person can do. We want to offer you peace of mind knowing that your child will be loved and cherished unconditionally. Although we are unable to conceive a child of own we dream of watching a child grow up surrounded with love, structure, and opportunity. Here is a little look into us, our family and our home.
Reason For Adoption
We have come to a point where we are established financially and emotionally and are ready to share our lives with a child. Building our family through adoption is an easy decision for us. The concept of adoption is not a new experience to either of us. Julie’s aunt and uncle adopted two wonderful girls who are like her own sisters. We also have friends who adopted a beautiful little boy a few years ago. We have so much love to offer a child, and believe it is an honor and a privilege to become adoptive parents.
Our History
Our story began in 1998 when we were introduced to each other while on a cruise ship. Julie was working on a Carnival Cruise ship at the time while Mark and a friend were vacationing onboard. We connected immediately. We became friends, keeping in contact by phone and visiting each other on our vacations. Even though we lived in different countries we fell in love, and three years later in 2001 we were married. We decided because Mark has an established business in Connecticut it was the best place to live and start a family.
A Little About Us
We are truly each other’s best friend. We love life, love to laugh, and love our two chocolate labs, Juki and Sydney. We surround ourselves with family and friends and enjoy spending quality time with our nieces and nephews going to movies, playing games, cooking, doing crafts and shopping. On the weekends we enjoy going for rides on Mark’s motorcycle or packing up the car and taking weekend trips to surrounding states. One of our favorites is to New York City to do a little shopping, go to the museums, or see Broadway shows, such as, Mama Mia, Hair Spray and Phantom of the Opera. Connecticut is the center of New England and we enjoy visiting all the cities and towns and what they have to offer. We recently spent a long weekend in Vermont. It is a beautiful place to visit farmers markets and see local art and pottery. A few times a year we plan extended vacations in other states and countries. We love going to San Francisco, to see Mark’s sister, visiting friends in Niagara Falls, Canada and of course Julie’s favorite Disney World. We also have a warm place in our hearts for vacationing on cruise ships, our last was to Bermuda. As much as we love to travel, we also love to be home curled up on the sofa with our puppies. Our relationship is built on love, respect, communication, work and patience; qualities we feel that are not only important to our relationship but also important in raising a child. We dream of one day being called Mom and Dad.
My best friend Mark: When we met, one of the first things I noticed was his hands. They looked like they could lift a car. As I got to know him I realized that the strength was not only on his exterior but also in his character. He has a deep fundamental honesty with himself and others. He offers respect and consideration to everyone he comes in contact with. His sense of humor is contagious. He shows his love for me everyday in the little things he does, like buying me flowers and cards for no reason, cleaning off my car in the morning after a snow fall, and kissing me good morning and goodnight everyday. His relationship with our dogs is absolute love. I can only imagine the father he will be to a child.
My best friend Julie: What first caught my eye about Julie was her smile. She is the most kind and giving person I have ever met. She rarely misses a birthday or occasion with our family or friends that she doesn’t acknowledge in some way. She is always making personalized gifts for the kids, sketches, clothing and jewelry for the adults. She is there not only for me but our family when ever they need support. I enjoy watching her spend time with our nieces, nephews and friends children. It is when she is in her element. She surrounds herself with happiness and happiness surrounds her. Julie is my equal, my best friend, and the love of my life. She will be an amazing mother.
Our Precious Puppies
We are blessed to have two fun loving chocolate labs. Juki came to us at 6 weeks old. We rescued Sydney a year later at 5 months old. Juki has a very maternal personality. She acts as a big sister to Sydney. It’s comical. She loves to snuggle and be close. Sydney is so fun and quirky she will never lose her puppy qualities. She follows Julie everywhere. It is hard to put into words how much love we have for them.
When we decided to bring Juki and Sydney into our lives it was not a decision we considered lightly. They come to work with us because we don’t feel comfortable leaving them at home all day. When we are out of town we have a wonderful sitter who stays with them in our home until we return. They love to be around people young and old. They especially like spending time our 18 month niece while she feeds them cookies. We realized the commitment is life long and the responsibility is great. They bring joy to our lives.
Our Home
We live in a beautiful log home in a small tight knit town. Our home is a labor of love. We have spent the last 8 years renovating it. There are three bedrooms, a family room and a large play area ready for toys, books, games and laughter. Our home is on 4 acres of land with lots of room for playing, riding bikes, running and even hiking. We dream of a back yard filled with neighborhood kids playing on a large wooden swing set. We look forward to building a tree house or play house together as a family. It is important to us that your child grows up experiencing the outdoors in a safe and fun environment.
Our Neighborhood
Our neighborhood has a park with a large playground, picnic area and hiking trails. There are numerous sport fields for little leagues of any sport. We have a lake down the road from our home with two beaches filled with local children and their families. The school system is one of the best in the state with a local library that offers storey time for children. There are always local events at the library or the town fair grounds. It is a great place to raise a child.
Our Work
We work together doing automotive and commercial upholstery. Mark started working in the shop when he was 15 years old and now owns the business. We enjoy creating complete interiors in antique and street rod cars, as well as, repairing and restyling new vehicles. We create custom motorcycle seats that are displayed in magazines and shows all over the USA and Canada. It is something we are very proud of. We can honestly say we love going to work everyday.
Our Family
JULIE: I was born and raised in a small town in Nova Scotia, Canada. Nova Scotia is a beautiful place where the people are warm and friendly and the word family describes not just a home but a community. Nova Scotia is very diverse in its culture, music and history with three spoken languages, English, French and Gaelic. I cannot explain the pride I hold in my heart for the place I was raised and am excited to offer the same values and traditions I was brought up with. Mark and I travel to Nova Scotia two or three times a year. We spend two weeks with my parents at Christmas surrounded by a large extended family and friends. I get together once a year with the same friends I grew up with and we spend an entire day cooking for all of our families. It is just one of the memories I wish your child has the chance to experience. My parents travel to Connecticut at least twice a year, as well as, aunt, uncles, cousins and friends dropping in like we lived next door. They are so excited about a new precious little gift joining the family. Nanny and Granddad are waiting for the word to travel and visit their first grandchild.
MARK: I was born and raised in Connecticut where most of my family still lives. Connecticut is also a warm and friendly place to raise a family. It offers so many opportunities for a child from some of the best schools in the country, with access to arts and theater, concerts, museums and sports. There are so many small towns each with its own little cultural influence. My mother and step father are very active in the lives of our nieces and nephews, as are we. They never miss an event, game or an opportunity to spend quality time with their grandchildren. My sisters, brother, nieces, nephews and our extended family gather not only for holidays, which are fun, but also to help out with home renovations, babysitting, or just when an extra hand is needed. It does help to have an upholsterer, metal fabricator and an electrician in the family. I maintain strong friendships with the same group of friends I grew up with and still enjoy spending time with them and their families. When we told our family and friends we are going to adopt they were so supportive, I was even more secure in the choice that adoption is the right path for us.
We wanted to add how both our families interact as a whole. We both have very special relationships with all of our families and friends. Mark is valued and loved as a part of our Canadian family as Julie is valued and loved in our Connecticut family. When we all get together it only adds to the fun and love we experience as one happy family.
Our Promise To You And Your Child
We want your child to grow up knowing it was your courage, strength and unconditional love that enabled us to become a family. Please know that if you choose us to raise your child, he or she, will grow up in a home filled with love, laugher, family and friends. We will support him or her in their positive choices and show strength and offer guidance for the not so good ones. We will provide your child with financial stability and a great education. We will set good examples of family values, self respect and kindness. We want your child to experience the quality of family life, the traditions and opportunities from both countries. We believe the more culture and diversity you are exposed to the more open your heart will be to all people.
We hope you gained an understanding of who we are as people and get a sense of the life we can offer your child. If you would like to speak with us further about adopting your child, please contact one of our adoption advisors at AdoptHelp toll free at 1-800-637-7999.
Sincerely
Julie and Mark
If you would like to speak with us about adopting your child or have any questions, please contact one of our Adoption Advisors at Adopt Help by calling 1-800-637-7999 toll free.
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