Choose A Family : Parent Profile
Mark and Patrick
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our incredibly loving family—Mark, Patrick, and Nikolai. There is no way we can truly understand the difficult decision you currently face. Adoption is a journey filled with plenty of uncertainty and questions, but it can also be a marvelous opportunity to enrich the lives of everyone it touches. To remove some of the uncertainty you might be feeling about your decision, we want to begin our letter to you with an important guarantee. We want you to be assured that in our family your baby will be surrounded by unconditional love forever. It is this pledge that we hope provides some comfort as you make this tough decision, and this letter is our vow to you that we will carry out this promise from your baby’s first breath till our last. Please be assured that your baby will be blanketed with opportunity and support. Your baby will be swaddled with honesty, integrity, respect, compassion, and kindness. And your baby will be surrounded by a devoted group of family and friends committed to unconditional love.
US
The three of us live on the coast of Massachusetts…steps from the Atlantic Ocean, whose resources we tap endlessly. Swimming, crabbing, fishing, rock climbing or just watching the lobster boats can consume many of our summer days. Our town is proudly described as a stereotypical New England setting. The school system is phenomenal and the town’s resources are plentiful…including a charming downtown, a well-stocked library, abundant recreational facilities, and some of the most beautiful coastal views in America. Our house is situated directly across the street from soccer fields, tennis courts, and a baseball diamond which provides the perfect venue for growing up and remaining active. We are also a short half-hour drive from the cultural and historical hub of Boston.
Patrick’s job offers him a great deal of flexibility, allowing him to work from home frequently and be readily available for the unpredictability of parenthood. Patrick is a gourmet cook whose love of the theater and travel is only surpassed by his steadfast love for being a dad.
When we are not spending time “vacationing” at our home we are busy travelling. Sometimes we travel great distances and have been lucky enough to experience parts of Italy, England, France, and the Pacific Northwest over the past couple years. However, almost as much fun are the daytrips we take most weekends to spots throughout the northeast—sometimes popping a tent and dedicating an evening to family bonding by a campfire in the woods of Vermont, and other times staying in the heart of Manhattan, sharing a gourmet meal at one of the city’s finest restaurants after attending a Broadway show. Our philosophy as a family has been (and always will be) to experience as much as humanly possible, and our children will always benefit greatly from this adventurous philosophy.
We met in 1993 after Mark had graduated from Boston University and Patrick had graduated from the University of California at Irvine. Patrick was dancing for a professional ballet company in Ohio while Mark worked in a research lab at a large hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Mark was going to be a “supernumerary” for the ballet company (which is equivalent to being an extra in a movie) and the sparks that flew when we first met have kept our relationship burning strong for almost 17 years. Job opportunities relocated us to Boston where we fell in love with New England and forged many profound friendships. Our relationship has been a phenomenal journey that brings us closer to each other every day, building on a deep rooted friendship and closeness that we believe is the foundation for a wonderful environment in which to raise a child.
In 2002 we began our first adoption journey which resulted in us bringing Nikolai into our family. Nikolai has thrived beyond our imagination and we will admit to being ridiculously proud parents. Nikolai has an endless curiosity that we encourage at every opportunity. He enjoys baseball, soccer, karate, and Scooby Doo. We firmly believe Nikolai embodies the idea that a child blanketed by a loving, nurturing, and supportive environment will flourish. We also firmly believe Nikolai will be the type of reliable protective big brother that any sibling would be lucky to have.
FAMILY
We all benefit from the closeness of an extended family that personifies our same core beliefs in child-rearing. Mark’s brother (Uncle Mike) and his wife (Aunt Jen) have two children, Bennett and Elena, who are frequent fixtures in our lives. Although they reside in Washington, D.C., we spend many holidays and vacations together and relish watching the relationship develop between our kids.
Grandparents are also a staple in our lives and in the case of Mark’s mom, Mary Ellen (Nana), she is a permanent part of our home. Nana recently lost her husband and from that challenge emerged a wonderful opportunity to have her spend more time close to us. A profound connection has developed between all of us that is yet another cherished bond in our family. Having a grandmother in the house creates an idyllic environment for raising children as well as providing parents with an extra hand during the busy infant years…we know very well just how lucky we are in this regard.
Patrick’s parents, Deloris and Ole (both retired school teachers), have a wealth of experience and advice they bring as grandparents who have been married for more than 50 years. Their home in Colorado (where Patrick was born) on the cusp of the Rockies also affords us an excellent mountain retreat. Patrick’s parents are two of the most soothing, peaceful and calming souls. They offer grandchildren the opportunity to be spoiled (like only a grandparent can do) but also tap into their tremendous wisdom for valuable guidance when you reach a crossroads in life.
Mark’s father, Bob, and his wife, Barb (Mark’s stepmother), beam with pride whenever discussing their children and grandchildren from their home in Ohio (where Mark was born). Their frequent trips to the east coast for a visit are always filled with the enthusiasm and joy so evident in proud parents and grandparents. Mark’s father is a retired police officer whose family has always been at the center of everything he does.
FUTURE
Thank you again for the chance to provide this brief glimpse into our journey…a life that has been filled with extraordinary opportunities, adventures, and love. There are still many more roads to travel and we are extremely excited about the prospect of sharing our future. We are ecstatic about expanding our family and holding another hand on the road of life. We welcome the opportunity to share more with you about our commitment and our devotion to providing a supportive, compassionate, honest, and respectful path for your baby who will be forever loved unconditionally.
If you have any questions for us, or would like to talk to us about adopting your child, please contact an AdoptHelp advisor by Calling 1-800-637-7999 or clicking the “Contact Us” button below.
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