Choose A Family : Parent Profile
Nan and Richard
Hello there, and thank you for reading out letter. We feel honored that you’re taking the time to out learn more about our family. Please know that we admire your bravery and your courage for the decision you’re making. We think you are amazing to consider giving the greatest gift possible, and we wish you peace and good health in whatever decisions you make.
History of Us
Nan and Rick met nine years ago through friends who knew we were both great lovers of music and animals. After dating for three years, we had a storybook wedding in a beautiful garden in Northern California. We couldn’t wait to start a family, and Meyer was born just over a year later. We bought and remodeled our new, larger home three years ago, and we’re very happy here, as our neighbors our friendly and we live near so many pretty parks. Today we have a beautiful house with plenty of room for us and our 5-year-old son Meyer, our two dogs Mills and Cruz (who we treat like family!), our fish Max, and a very special place reserved for our newest family member.
Adoption
Rick and Nan are both very close to their brothers and sisters, so we knew before we got married that we wanted to have two children. We were so fortunate to have Meyer right away, and we treasure every single day with him. After trying for a few years, though, we could not have another child biologically. We think adoption is a wonderful thing, and we and our extended families have always been open to it. We are absolutely certain that this is the best decision for our family.
Our Home
We live in Marin County in sunny Northern California in a large three bedroom, two bath house. We have a beautiful fenced in backyard with a lawn, lots of flowers, and plenty of room for the kids and the dogs to play. Fixing up the house has been our project together, and we have great pride in making our home comfortable, warm, clean, and welcoming. We remodeled the house expecting that there would be another child coming into our world, and we have an empty bedroom for the baby ready and waiting.
Our neighborhood is a very safe suburb with lots of young families and streets where children play and owners walk their dogs. The best elementary school in the county is walking distance from our house. One of the reasons we choose this neighborhood is because the school system is excellent (and education is very important to us).
Our Pets
We are a family of dog lovers! Cruz, our 12 year old German Sheppard, was adopted from the Guide Dogs for The Blind, and we call him our “gentle giant.” He is very loyal, very smart, and as sweet as can be. He is truly a family dog, and he has grown up around Meyer and our many nieces and nephews. He could play fetch for hours, and when we’re not on family outings to the park. Meyer likes to throw the ball with him in the backyard.
After our beloved dog Spruce died three years ago, we decided to get another dog. We adopted Mills from the Companion Animal Rescue League, an organization that relocates street dogs from China and finds them homes here in the US. She came to us with only three legs, but that doesn’t stop her at all! She is an active and playful Basenji mix, and she is our little snuggly buddy. Meyer loves running up to her to give her hugs.
Meyer is a big fan of animals, and last year he asked for a pet fish. We went to the pet store and he had the name “Max” already picked out. Together, we found the right fish that matched that name. Max is a purple Siamese fish and he will be a year old in December.
About Meyer
Meyer is 5 years old, and he is our shining ray of light every single day. He is crazy about animals, especially zebras, sting rays, crickets, bunnies, dogs, and, oh yes, we can’t forget the dinosaurs! He is a very social and friendly guy; very active, and he loves to climb (which is why we call him “Monkey"). Our special nickname for him is MyMy. He is like warm sunshine. He will bring a smile to your face. He has always wanted to be a big brother and we have been preparing him for a sister or brother for a long time.
He has lots of play dates and lots of toys. He is involved in many different activities, including swimming, where he is so proud of himself because he can jump into the deep end. In karate, he has earned a yellow and white belt. His favorite sport is soccer, and he’s been playing for a few years. And he has followed his father’s love of music. He’s adorable when he tries to play guitar! He has great rhythm, and he’s been in music classes since he was 6 months old. When he’s old enough, we’ll start teaching him to play the piano or violin. This year we are going to start rock climbing classes. We are hoping he will inherit Nan’s love of sports and Rick’s love of music.
About Nan
I moved to San Francisco for a great opportunity with a film production company in 98’, but eventually I went back to school and received a degree in Special Education. Working with children is my true passion. I started working with a child who had autism, and I found the work very rewarding. I knew immediately this was my calling.
I have always been into art and I went to college for marketing and then got a second degree in graphic design. I’m also interested in film, and after college I lived in New York City working in set design, for commercials and music videos. I didn't love living in New York but I still love to visit.
After we had Meyer, Rick and I decided that we wanted to have a full time parent at home. We feel very fortunate to be able to do this for Meyer, and we’re planning for me to also be a full-time mom to the new baby as well.
My hobbies include trail running, scuba diving, sea kayaking, rock climbing, and skiing, but my favorite thing is horse back riding. I hope to give my love of sports to my children.
About Nan (From Rick)
Nan has a motto: No dog goes un-pet! She loves animals and they respond to her in kind. Nan has a way of makinge everyone feel very comfortable and at ease. She is calming, patient, and very giving. Her energy is as endless as her patience, and she keeps a beautiful home for us (and she’s a great cook!). She loves to bake and host all the family holidays. I could not ask for a better wife, partner, or mother for our children.
She is a great mom. She makes sure Meyer has no shortage of activities and affection. Our son is extremely well rounded and easy going, and I credit Nan with this accomplishment. Many of the children in our neighborhood are eager to see Nan and Meyer. They are always very friendly and make the time to stop, talk, and play.
Nan has done a great job bringing up Meyer and I have no doubt that she will be an amazing mom to our new child as well.
About Rick
I was born in Massachusetts and moved to Florida when I was ten years old. I am from a family of four children and I continue to be very close to my mom, my brother, and my sisters.
As a family we grew up camping during the summers and spent lots of time with our cousins and extended family. Family has always been very important to me and we continue to see my brother and sister and their families regularly.
I moved to California after graduating from college. Today I work for a large company and work from a home office, which is wonderful because it allows me to spend time with my family during the day and it makes it easy for me to attend school functions.
My mom was a music teacher for over 30 years and today I play bass with a couple of local bands. We play for fun and we help out some of the local schools through benefit concerts.
About Rick (From Nan)
I have always called Rick “my home”. He makes me comfortable being me. No matter where we are he will have my heart and be my home. A very warm, gentle man, he can make a friend anywhere. He likes to make people laugh, and he is always making jokes.
He has loved music since he was a kid. He plays the electric bass and has a few bands that he plays with. They will play gigs about once a month, and if they are during the day the whole family will come to enjoy the show. Music is his creative outlet and also his therapy; it helps him relax and and it makes him happy.
Rick is a very loyal and helpful friend. There have been numerous friends he has helped out, whether it is just talking on the phone about issues or helping them move. He is the most honorable man I have ever met. I am lucky to have him in my life.
Our Life Together
Rick, Nan and Meyer take walks around the neighborhood with the dogs every day after work, giving each other “ingredients” to make up stories as they go. You can bet that dinosaurs come up often! We make sure that weekends are family time. This can involve events such as camping, swimming, hiking, or bowling. During the winter it often involves a fire in the fireplace, watching movies, and cooking or baking. Both Nan and Rick and excellent cooks and Meyer has been learning a lot and likes to help out in the kitchen.
We make sure that Meyer’s grandparents come visit often and we visit them often as well. We have extended families here in California, in Florida, and in Maryland and we make sure that everyone gets to spend time together.
Both Rick and Nan come from large families and we know the joy of that special bond we share with our sisters and brothers. We are very grateful that you are considering giving Meyer the same childhood blessing that we enjoy.
We are very lucky to have the means to welcome another family member, with plenty of room in our home, our lives, and in our hearts. Your child will be very loved and given a great opportunity to grow with a family that knows how important family life is.
Extended Family
Nan is the youngest of five children and she has five nieces that she is very close to. They live in Baltimore and we go back there to see them a couple of times a year, including spending about a month swimming in the ocean at beautiful Bethany Beach in Maryland. Nan’s mom visits here at least twice a year as well. The whole family is very close to Meyer and they speak with him by phone weekly. They are very involved with his life and they let him know how much they care.
Rick’s father passed away when he was in college. His mom has since remarried and she lives in Florida in winter and North Carolina in the summer. She comes to California several times a year to visit us, and we go see her at least once a year as well. Rick is one of four kids. His brother and sister and their family – Meyer’s aunts, uncles, and four cousins ranging in age from 1 to 16 - live here very close by and we see them often. In fact, one of Meyer’s oldest cousins is his best babysitter!
The entire family is super eager to meet our newest family member. Baby, we are waiting for you to come home!
Thank you so much for reading our story and we truly hope that we’ve done a good job explaining that we’re good, honest, loving people. We want nothing more than to complete our family with a second child to love, nurture, and support to become to best person that he or she can be. Whatever you decide, we wish you peace, good health, and God bless.
Nan and Richard
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