Choose A Family : Parent Profile

John and Lisina

Dear Birth Mother,
Thank you for taking the time to read our letter and for considering us as your child’s adoptive parents. We are John and Lisina and we want you to know that nothing but love and honesty went into putting together this letter for you because we know you will be viewing this letter during a time when you are faced with a very big decision. We wish you peace with your decision and hope something about us touches your heart.

Past, Present and Future
Past ~ Lisina was born and raised in New York City, John was born in Indiana and raised primarily in Georgia. Lisina and her brother, Jerry were raised in the city. Having a lot of family in the arts and entertainment business, she gravitated towards this field early on. John is the little brother to big sister Kathy and spent his childhood playing every sport, but excelling in baseball which he still plays today in a local league. His passion and talent were always baseball, but he also had a huge talent for music and a dream to pursue a career in the arts. John and Lisina met at the acting studio when John showed up one day to train there. Over the years they fell into a deep and meaningful friendship that evolved over 11 years till they eventually married.
 
Present ~ We have a lovely house on almost 2 acres. We have a huge backyard, we work from home, and are incredibly comfortable. After 14 years of owning the studio, we have an awesome staff that tends to many of the ongoing classes while John keeps the place running on an administrative level and I, Lisina keep it running on a
creative level. Lisina teaches classes, directs shows, coaches actors privately and
often, works as an on-set acting coach for films and television shows.
 
John plays baseball, I, Lisina am a black belt in karate. We love to simply have down time at home, do home projects, build furniture, enjoy the outside, work out and chill out, we love the theatre and love making a night about going out to the theatre. John is a huge Braves fan and any chance he gets he and his dad are at the games. John loves books, music and movies. I love reading plays and writing my own material for books.

Future ~ We love this area and our immediate families live here, so we see ourselves staying put. However we are looking for an even larger piece of property soon to build another home on. We also plan to purchase a small home in Florida for vacations. We are self-employed and can decide on vacations when we want them, we go to the beach often and will soon have our own house there.
 
We look forward to growing our family and being parents. We work for ourselves and spend most of our time at home. While we were both raised in public schools, we expect our children will end up in private schools.
 
We believe in children being active, outside and involved. We believe in a structured household with routines you love to follow. We believe children learn by example and we believe in responsibility in the household. We believe in rewarding for outstanding achievement and also teaching the value of working towards something you really want. We believe in sticking to your commitments, in please and thank you and respect for your elders. We approach work with a smile on our face and with gratitude in our hearts that we can do what we want to do for a career. We look forward to a family with children we can share this life with.  

Our Work
We own an acting school. It teaches programs in acting and auditioning for stage, film, TV and commercials.
 
It is a school that teaches the real craft of acting and provides the strong professional training necessary to build a career in the industry. The school also provides programs for new and younger actors who are just starting out and learning acting as a hobby. Our school is well known in the southeast region for providing some of the most thorough and extensive training available to actors in the area.
 
Lots of our students stick around for years and years. The studio is like a big family. We work together, struggle together and share successes together.
 
We are business partners and life partners and constantly work towards the good of our school and our family.

Lisi on John
OK, John is a pretty awesome human being, and I honestly said that before I fell in love with him and married him. John “gets” people. He just does. He is a good judge of character and he is good at giving people the benefit of the doubt. He is an amazing listener and cares more about the people he loves and how things affect them, than he does about his own concerns for himself. He is very protective of people he loves and of his animals. He has sincere compassion and he is very self-aware. A total guy in that he loves sports, watching them, playing them; Superbowls and World Series’ are a big deal in this house. John is one of those people who loves to keep learning. He really is my dream come true.

I know other people say all the time they are married to their best friend, but I really know what that means. I would rather spend time with John than anyone else. He’s funny, he’s kind and he loves me with everything that he has. I adore him and make sure I find tons of ways to tell him that every day. He is a phenomenal business man and makes sure our business is secure and successful.

John on Lisi
The very first time I met Lisina I knew she was extremely special and rare. Within the first 10 minutes I knew that I would be with her forever.

When I decided I wanted to be married there were a few things that I knew I wanted in a person; she had to be creative, she had to have a positive outlook on life and she had to be the type of person that was self-reliant and had the ability to persevere through life’s struggles – I didn’t want someone who would give up easily. Lisina is every bit the embodiment of those qualities!

\ She believes that you can do anything. I’m not sure how to best put into words that it’s her belief that you can learn to do what you need. She’s not held back by fear or an overanalyzing attitude. It’s refreshing and it really does make you become a better person – you just don’t realize it when it’s happening!

We have a great relationship and I love to just spend time with her. She makes me laugh, she’s an incredible cook, and she really makes a house a home. She also likes to spend time outside – not afraid of getting dirty! She’s a very emotionally deep person so conversation with her is always more stimulating than with most.

It’s hard to find the right words or the words that really capture the true depth of what I’m about to say so these will have to do-“Lisina is perfect for me”. I couldn’t imagine a better woman to spend my life with and to share a family with.

According to…

We figured that writing about ourselves was a pretty one-sided way to give you information and we really thought about how to give you a really good thorough view of who we are, so we asked people we know to write something for you to read. These are from friends, family, people who teach for us and people who we have taught or their parents. We pulled pieces from the letter they wrote.

“…we have known Lisina for over ten years and John for nearly as long. You should also know that I am the mother of three sons… That is said to assure you that the following observations are not offered lightly. If I were choosing parents for my own children, I could think of no better than Lisina and John. They have been a tremendous influence in the life of my middle son as acting coaches and more importantly as friends, mentors, and role models. They are authentic people with a tremendous capacity for caring, for nurturing the talent that lies within all of us to become the best people we can be, and to always be true to themselves and those around them.”

“On a business level, I have entrusted literally hundreds of children to John and Lisina to develop, encourage, and raise their level of confidence to accomplish the greatest of task.  The children they have worked with over the years have gone on to make a positive impact in their own lives and the lives of others.  On a personal level, I have the utmost respect and admiration for both John and Lisina.  Their incredible dedication and love for each other will only increase as their family grows.”

“Lisina and John have become very important people in my life. They are more than just my teachers. They are my mentors and my friends and part of my family. They have made the school more than a school.  They love working with people and always encourage and push us to our best.”

“…My husband and I have known them over 7 years and during that time we have developed an amazing friendship.  We met as a result of enrolling our son in an acting class that they taught.  John and Lisina are the most talented acting coaches in the industry, but what they have taught  and continue to teach our son goes far beyond acting.  Our son is now 15 years old and has worked on Broadway, commercials, TV, and film.  John and Lisina trained him and prepared him for that and have made him an amazing actor.  However, the lessons in character and integrity that they have taught him is making him an amazing human being. “

“I have known Lisina and John for nine years. I began teaching for them at their wonderful studio in 2001, and our professional relationship evolved into one of my most treasured friendships (in fact, I was the matron of honor in their wedding!). If I can assure you of anything, it's this: Lisina and John are loving, honest, brilliant, compassionate, responsible and ethical - not to mention warm and hilariously fun to be around - and they will, without a doubt, make ideal, dream parents.

When I worked for them, I often remarked to Lisina, "You're everyone's mom." She's the person who will keep her office stocked with bottled waters and granola bars for all to share. She will tell a student to put on a fleece because it's twenty degrees outside. She'll sit for three hours listening to a teenager cry her eyes out over a boyfriend. She'll work with an adult student on a scene or a monologue not only until she thinks it's polished and ready for performance, but until her student is confident in the work himself. She will assure, and reassure, and reassure - because she knows, intuitively, what people need. She's gifted that way.

And John? Just as Lisina is Mom, John is Dad. John has a kind, gentle spirit, a great sense of humor and a fierce determination to do and be the best version of himself that he possibly can - and he inspires others to do the same. Perhaps one of his most special qualities is a natural curiosity, a need and desire to continue learning, to debate and reflect and not simply accept, "That's just how it is," as an answer.”

“I want to tell you about my niece Lisina and her husband John. Lisina as a little girl, was warm, sweet, funny and smart!
As a grown-up those qualities are still there, and she has matured into a soft, nurturing woman with a heart as big as the sun. She is a gifted teacher, adored by her young students. 
John is a talented teacher as well; a gentle and kind man who loves to garden and work on the home he and Lisina own. Both Lisi and John are disciplined and responsible, having built
and run a successful business. More importantly, they are devoted to one another and to having a family.”

“I am blessed to be a part of the family, not by birth or even marriage, but by a connection even stronger....LOVE.  We met when John and his family moved in 2 doors down in 1973.  John's sister Kathy, is more than simply my best friend, she is my sister. John's parents treat me and my family as their own children. Our friendship has held strong and grown over the past 35 years. When John and Lisina were married, she welcomed me, as I welcomed her, as a new family member.  One of my most touching memories of Lisina happened  while she was preparing her wedding to John.  Her dearest friends had planned a bridal shower for her,  an invitation was extended to my young daughter as well.  A good time was had by all who attended.  While saying my goodbyes and thank you's I expressed to Lisina how appreciative I was that she included my daughter.  She responded to me in a puzzled look and said, "are you kidding, you are all family, you BOTH belong here". “

“Lisi and John are going to be the best of parents for so many reasons. What comes to mind first is the way in which they love all children. This includes my daughter, who I would trust to Lisi and John without reservation if anything were to happen to my wife and me. The way they love children is very similar to the way they love all of the adults in their lives - unconditionally and without judgment.

Nothing is more important to Lisi and John than family. For all of our lives, Lisi has been the one who keeps up with what each of our relatives is doing, and who has made a point to stay in touch with all of them, no matter how far away they live. Now that she and John are married, I see the same value of family from him and his family.”

“I have known John for over 20 years. I attended high school with him, roomed with him in college and stood by his side as he promised his life to his wife Lisina. You could say that I know him extremely well. This is what I know to be true of him. He is devoted as a friend as he would be as a father. His honest , dependable and caring nature will surely lead him to be an involved father who will guide his child(ren) lovingly and enjoy the pleasures of parenthood to the fullest.  John and Lisina enjoy a zest for life and I believe there will never be a dull moment with John and Lisina as parents.

My wife and I have been blessed with 2 wonderful sons.  We also have been equally blessed with three adopted nieces and one adopted nephew through each of our sister's families. We know personally of the amazing gift you give a family when you entrust your baby into the hands of a couple who are devoted to raising him/her as their own. Our families have been enriched by this same gift you consider today.  We strongly encourage you to consider this family as we feel they will be worthy of such a precious gift.”

Final Thought
Thank you again for reading our letter and for considering us in your adoption plan. We are a happy, loving and honest couple who wants nothing more than to be parents. We know it must be really tough to get all of the details you are looking for when you read these letters and you may be left with more questions, concerns or ideas. We completely understand and want you to feel comfortable asking us anything so that you can feel confident in your decision. If you have any questions for us, or would like to talk to us about adopting your baby, please call an adoption advisor at AdoptHelp at 1-800-637-7999, toll free.

We are an open book and want you to feel comfortable asking us anything knowing that you will always get an honest answer.

Our best,
Lisina and John

View Other Parent Profiles