Choose A Family : Parent Profile
Paul and Elaheh
Our History
We met each other at graduate school in southern California. We were classmates and it didn’t take long for us to realize that we loved spending time together. We went on our first date and never looked back! On a surprise weekend trip to Catalina Island, Paul proposed to Elaheh along the shore of Avalon Harbor. Thankfully, the answer was “Yes”, and within less than a year we were married in Santa Monica, surrounded by friends and family.
We are both in the dental field, so much of our first few years involved residency programs and working to build our careers. Along the way, though, we enjoyed our time together on evenings, weekends and the occasional vacation.
Over time we learned to balance work and play, while also expanding our personal time. We are very fortunate to now be in a place where we can provide very well for our family, but also have lots of time to spend together.
Family Events
Much of our free time is actually spent very simply. Between both of our families we have nine nieces and nephews, most of which live within an easy drive of our home. We enjoy getting together often, with lots of joking and talking to liven things up. Bringing another child into this environment would be a joy for all of our family and for our new child.
We are not the first in our family to adopt. Paul’s sister and brother-in-law, Heidi and Bob, adopted a baby girl with special needs from Russia and she adds a real spark to our family.
One of our favorite family times of the year is around the holiday season. After our extended family gathers for a big Christmas Eve feast, we pack into the family room and sing traditional carols before opening gifts. Paul’s family is originally from Germany and much of the food and music is still native German. Elaheh’s parents bring some Persian appetizers and our sister-in-law adds some Mexican tamale’s to round out the celebration. The following Christmas Day begins with morning mass, which we continue on Sunday mornings throughout the year.
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Our Town and Home
We live in a great city. It is still small enough so that people know each other, but big enough to have all the conveniences of parks, restaurants, and shopping.
The neighborhood we live in is well-kept and safe, with lots of young families and close to excellent schools. Our home has a great open living space with lots of light and a great yard for play and gardening. Our fruit trees and vegetables help to supplement our healthy diet and keep us busy in the garden.
We have started to plan converting a spare room into a kid’s room and putting in a play structure with a slide and swing in the backyard!
Our Dog
We also share our home with our family dog, Sierra, who keeps our place lively and fun. We rescued her through the SPCA over three years ago, and she has such a sweet personality that we know she will love our new little addition.
Travel and Recreation
We love to travel and explore new places. Over the years some of our favorite places to visit have included Seattle, San Diego, Yosemite, Mexico, Germany, Austria, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. Experiencing other cultures, trying traditional foods, and seeing new places has been personally rewarding, but also loads of fun. So many times we have wanted to share these experiences with a child of our own. To teach them respect and understanding for other people is among the most important lessons we feel a parent can offer.
As fun as these big trips can be, most get-aways are still spent near our home or on short weekend trips. Usually this involves heading for the great outdoors. That could be for a casual bike ride around our neighborhood or on a camping trip in the Sierras. Hiking, kayaking, skiing, camping, and bicycling remain a big part of our ‘leisure’ time. In the summer we have an annual camping trip so we can all get together away from everyday life and relax, play games, swim, and sit around the campfire.
As our child grows up over the years we want to be a healthy, active family and develop at appreciation for the natural world that we live in.
Our Careers
Both of us have the good fortune of owning our own business. Elaheh is a periodontist (dentist specializing in gum surgery and dental implants). She is committed to her patients and providing them with the best treatment in a caring way that has made her practice a thriving success. The great thing is that Elaheh has both a partner and an associate that will allow her to work a more limited schedule, while raising her child.
Paul is a general dentist and his family dental practice is only about a mile from our home. One of the real joys of having this job, has been the various programs we have been able to support here in town.. We sponsor sports teams, teach good oral health at the local elementary schools, and participate in the Smiles For Kids program, where we provide free dental treatment to children of parents who cannot afford the care. Paul has limited his schedule to 4 days per week, so that he can spend more time with his family.
About Elaheh (by Paul)
Elaheh is the most amazing person I know. She is loving, smart, honest, compassionate, and my best friend in life. She is always there to support me through all my ups and downs. Her life is actually an inspiration to me and many family and friends she could write a book!
She was born in Iran, a country half a world away from ours in distance and in its culture. She attended Joan of Arc School, where the French nun instructors were strict, but they challenged their girls to think and excel. When the new fundamentalist government closed the school, Elaheh’s parents decided to move the family to the US to give their daughters the opportuniies that had been taken from them.
Elaheh threw herself into her studies, and obtained a full academic scholarship to U.C. San Diego. She graduated magna cum laude, and went on to UCLA.
Children don’t just learn from lessons, but by example. What better example can a child have than what Elaheh has set. When the world was against her, she never lost her faith in herself and continued to excel.
Now that is just the ‘Reader’s Digest’ version of her story. Every day I know her as a loving wife and future mother. A person who loves to dance, enjoys her favorite TV shows Survivor and Seinfeld, and is a good sport on all the crazy adventures that we have been on together. Elaheh is great at games and puzzles and loves to play Soduku most every day. She loves to stay active also and recently completed her first 5 K run! She is my partner in skiing, biking, kayaking, hiking and all kinds of activities.
Some of our best friends have small babies and when I see these children in her arms I see a special sparkle in her eye and warmth that melts the child into her arms. She loves to laugh, play, and teach; all of which will make her the best mom I can imagine.
About Paul (by Elaheh)
What can I say about Paul? Wow! I don’t even know where to begin. He is the smartest, kindest and most patient person I know. Besides being a very nice guy, he is fun to be around and quick to smile and laugh. I feel so fortunate to have him in my life. Paul was president of our dental school class, graduated with top honors, and still had more energy than anyone.
Paul founded the screening of school-aged children in our town and has volunteered his dental office to provide free dental care for needy kids. He was definitely meant to be a father since his eyes lit up when he is around these children.
Paul enjoys going for a run with the dog, and mountain-biking with his brother. At one point or another he has learned how to fly an airplane, rock climbed with friends, and enjoys hiking, camping, and fishing with his Dad. He plays piano tunes for his family at Christmas and is an avid reader. In the winter we head to the mountains for skiing and snowshoeing.
Paul has been very supportive of all my dreams. He is always there to cheer me on. He makes me laugh all the time and life has never been boring with my best friend. We’ve had a tremendous number of fun adventures with each other and we can’t wait to share our lives with our future baby.
Back Cover
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the gift you are giving to us. Words cannot describe the appreciation we feel towards you, but know that we will work every day to live up to the words we have put down onto this page. If you would like to speak with us about adopting your child, please contact one of our adoption advisors at AdoptHelp, toll free at 1-800-637-7999.
We promise to be parents that:
- Love and care for our child unconditionally.
- Teach our child respect for others and confidence in themselves.
- Travel as a family, near and far.
- Laugh and play with all our hearts.
- Provide a learning environment at home and the best education from pre-school through college and beyond.
- Nurture the Christian values of faith and forgiveness.
- Foster an active and healthy lifestyle.
- Teach personal responsibility and the value of honesty and integrity.
- Encourage a curious mind and open heart.
Thanks again,
Paul and Elaheh
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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