Hello from Los Angeles! We are Tom & Jen! We can’t imagine what you are going through at this moment, but we know it is far from easy. We admire your strength, love, and selflessness. We understand this is a very personal and complex decision, and it has to feel right. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering us as adoptive parents. We have tried for many years to have a family; and even though it has not gone our way, we know that this is the next step that feels right for us to fulfill our dream! We come from two very supportive and loving families that are the center of our lives. Jen’s family has traveled the path of adoption many different times. Her brother and sister are adopted. They have also adopted children into their families. Many of her extended family members are adopted. We have seen first hand the blessings that adoption brings, which makes us even more eager and ready to become parents!

We both grew up just outside Chicago about a half hour from each other. Funnily enough, we met in Chicago doing a play together as a married couple. We had a very successful show and it wasn’t long after it closed we knew we wanted to keep seeing each other! For our first official date Tom asked me to see an old classic movie in a beautiful downtown art house theatre! Not too long after that, I was in a car accident and Tom was the first one by my side. A real knight in shining armor he was, however it also showed me his true colors right away! We quickly fell in love and have been by each other’s side ever since.

We moved to LA a couple years later to pursue our creative careers; and 4 years after that, we were married. Our wedding was in Chicago in January, a real life winter wonderland. As much as we love the California weather, we both also love the snow! We were married in the same church where my mom and dad were wed and my grandfather helped build.

Every day we learn more and more about each other and feel more and more grateful. Our marriage is based on honesty, respect, love and a lot of laughter mixed in! We are not perfect, but when faced with challenges, we naturally complement each other’s strengths and only grow stronger because we are 100% committed to each other.

Tom is generous, loving, supportive, talented and one of the most honest people I know! I fell in love with him for many reasons, but his fierce loyalty to family and his endless curiosity about life is what I love the very best! He will do anything for those he loves. He is someone that you can count on to be there no matter what. Tom has a true love of life and desire to share that passion with those around him. He also has a thirst for learning unlike anyone I know. He is all about taking an adventure and helps me to say YES to all kinds of things I would never do without him! He has been my biggest fan, always encouraging me to “follow my bliss”. He is also incredibly handy and can fix anything! I have always known Tom will be an excellent and loving father, he is a natural teacher of life, and his compassion and huge heart are endless.

Being a teacher and professional actor has allowed me to combine all of my passions: reading, history, research, travel, and being able to explore the world. I have learned so much teaching children in many areas and levels of education. I also still love it when my job takes me to interesting and far away places. I am looking forward to being able to share all these adventures with our future child.

Jen is a force of nature! Luckily for all of us, she has decided to put her powers to good use. Whether she is killing it with her business, tearing it up on the stage, seducing us all on the screen, big or small, she dives into any and all tasks and adventures with an open heart, mind and soul. She is the ultimate nurturer and caretaker. Whether she’s tending to children’s basic needs (all kids are immediately drawn to her), or paying attention to her family’s and student’s emotional needs, Jen is blessed with an innate sense and know-how. Mentoring seems to be her greatest gift and talent. That takes self-knowledge, confidence, compassion, intuition, patience, interest, empathy and dare I say it, most of all, love. I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have met and married her, to be the chief recipient of her super powers. I know it would be a great crime to all of humanity were she not allowed to share the rest of her life with a child to call her own.

From producing a Hallmark Christmas movie to working on meaningful acting projects with dear friends, I love what I do as an actor, writer, producer, and all-around creator. My entrepreneurial spirit also led me to build a thriving skincare business that has grown into our family business! It is a business based on service and supporting other women. I care deeply about women and young girls believing in themselves and having a solid support system. My work allows for tremendous flexibility. It is very important to me to be a stay at home, fully present, parent. I cannot wait to experience the day-to-day through my future child’s fresh and curious eyes. I also can’t wait to introduce them to the arts and encourage them to find their path, whatever that may be!

I have many close friends with kids and they have been with me on this journey to parenthood and are over the moon for us! I love spending quality time with my best girlfriends, hanging out, and talking about what is on our hearts and minds.

Both of our parents have been married forever! Jen’s 54 years and Tom’s 52! They are all active grandparents and adore their grandkids. Between all of our siblings, we are a proud aunt and uncle 14 times over! We have a special relationship with each of our nieces and nephews, and they are excited to welcome a new cousin into our family. Our parents are thrilled to be grandparents again. We are very close on both sides. We get together often and even travel together when we can. One of the most memorable trips was a trip to Poland with our parents, and we are planning our next trip with them to Ireland. When we are not traveling as a family, we are visiting each other. We go to Chicago 6-8 times a year, and our families visit us in-between. Jen’s brother adopted their little boy Peter from Ukraine. Jen’s sister adopted their little girl Maria from Russia.

Since being married we have hosted big Easters! Jen’s Mom is from a large Polish family and Jen grew up with many cousins and many Polish traditions. She loves cooking Polish specialties her grandmother made. Her favorite is making homemade pierogi (dumplings) and kapusta (sauerkraut) with her best friend Heidi! Our biggest Easter was 25 people all at one table!

Tom being Irish, it goes without saying, loves St. Patrick’s Day. We always spend that night with a close group of friends eating Jen’s terrific corn beef and soda bread enjoying what the Irish call “craic” (enjoyable and fun conversation).

We live in the beautiful city of Los Angeles! It is true what is said of Southern California, you really can go skiing and swimming the same day! We are less than an hour away from each. We get to see breath taking mountains every day and coming from the flatlands of Illinois we never take this gorgeous city and state for granted. We often explore our city like we are tourists to see new things and we have explored much of California. We love taking road trips up north to Yosemite National Park, the Central Coast and San Francisco!

There are so many things we love about our neighborhood. While we are in a city, it has a much calmer and off the beaten path vibe, with many artists and families. We are sandwiched between two gorgeous parks and many boutiques and shops. Our neighborhood is full of hills that we love to climb. We also happen to live in one of the best school districts in Los Angeles. Education is very important to us and your child will always have the best!

We understand this is just a glimpse into our lives, but we hope you feel you have gotten to know us a bit. We have always believed our future child would find us and it would be “meant to be.” We also know this is a very personal and difficult decision. If we are the right fit, we will be forever honored and grateful. The respect we have for your decision will be the foundation we will raise your child on. Your strength and love for them will be a part of their story forever. We have waited for a child for so long we truly already love them!

Love and Gratitude,
Jen & Tom