We promise to love your child and raise him/her to their highest potential. Your child will be loved unconditionally, honored fully, supported emotionally, financially, psychologically and spiritually. He/She will be protected before all others, encouraged daily, motivated to reach for the stars, taught by our example, listened to intently, understood without judging, appreciated with an open heart and adored with patience, kindness, laughter and tons of hugs and kisses.

Eric Ruth Job Description Newspaper Printing Pressmen for the New York Times Recreation Therapist at the Department of Veteran\'s Affairs Working at the Nursing Home Care Unit with Hospitalized Veterans Education Bachelor of Arts Degree from The National Labor College in Union Leadership & Administration & Currently Enrolled in Law School Bachelors of Science from Clemson University in Recreation Therapy & Exercise Physiology Favorites Hobby Woodworking Hobby Photography & Gardening Movie Type Action Adventure/Sci Fi Movie Type Romantic Comedy Sport to Watch Football Sport to Watch Beach Volleyball Subject in School Social Studies Subject in School Art, Science & History Sport to Play Cycling Sport to Play Cycling Children Sean-23 years old, Joe-20 years old

Ruth's mom was adopted as an infant many years ago when things were quite different. Ruth's mom learned of her adoption from her father (Ruth's grandfather) around the age of 19. She never spoke much of her adoption and never expressed any desire to seek out her birth mom; even today. She shared her adoption story with her children very matter of fact like. Ruth has always been curious about her mom's adoption and often wondered about her birth mom/ grandmother: Who was she? Was she still alive? Would she want to know she had 5 grandchildren? Ruth's mom only shared what she knew: that she was of Irish descent. Ruth's mom had no interest and strongly requested her children respect her wishes; and we did. Ruth has always felt a strong feeling and connection to her mom's adoption and an admiration for her mom's birth mom. Life in the mid 30's was a very different time but her choice to give birth to Ruth's mom assured Ruth and her sisters and brother would be born. Ruth knew that one day, she would adopt a baby. We are so glad that adoption has evolved today and we have this unique opportunity to know and share more about your child's birth family. We would be pleased to share pictures and letters over the years so you will be able to see that your child is loved, cared for and genuinely happy.

ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING- Ruth's heart skips a beat every time she thinks about becoming a mom and a parent together with Eric. Eric is equally excited to be a father once again. It is amazing and we don't even know it yet! Together, we will experience all his/her firsts: watching him/her learn and grow, recognizing moments when he/she gets it, being the ones he/she runs to when he/she is hurt, scared, crying or when he/she is happy, proud, accomplished and successful. We want to change diapers, do tons of laundry, be the "soccer, baseball or football" mom and dad, go to ballet recitals or swim meets, be a PTA mom, a sports coach dad, hear the off-key trumpet or flute or even drums in our living room, help study, drive the carpool, make a tent in the living room out of sheets and blankets draped over chairs and have a sleepover and more. We are ecstatic about being parents together.

With Ruth's maternal instincts, which have been ready to go for as long as she can remember and Eric's wealth of experience and kind heart, we know we will be wonderful parents. Eric has so many great stories of his boys, from their treasured history from when they were infants to their special relationship today as young adults. He gets a sparkle in his eye and a huge smile when he shares these stories and when he thinks about sharing similar experiences with another child. Sometimes he even laughs out loud at the thought of this. Ruth sees his emotions and the connection he has to his children and is so excited to share these same feelings with a child they will raise together.

Looking Forward to Sharing the Holidays

Our thoughts are very clear on this, as your/our child's sense of self and worth will be our primary concern. Your/our child will learn of their adoption as soon as they can understand and most probably when they ask questions like: Tell me about when I was born? Where do babies come from? Ruth started a journal the day we signed on with American Adoptions and we plan to make a photo album book with pictures, illustrations and a story of his/her arrival to us. It will be one of many traditions: reading and talking about the story of your/our child's arrival. We will share how fortunate we were that their birthparent/s chose to have him/her and chose us to be his/her parents. We will discuss how very lucky we are to have him/her in our lives and how very special he/she is to us. We will let your child know how brave and selfless their birthparent/s were in providing the very best world for their child to grow up and prosper in; assuring that he/she would have everything they wanted for him/her. We will make sure he/she understand the love you have for him/her as their birth mother and will always speak in a loving way about you.