Dear Birth Parent(s),

We cannot possibly know what you are feeling as you read through these letters, but our gratitude and respect with your consideration of adoption is immeasurable. We know you are under tremendous pressure in making this very important decision. We also know you are courageous and unselfish in even considering adoption. Please be secure in knowing that if we are chosen to adopt your baby he or she will know from the beginning and always, how much you love him or her. We will share pictures and letters with you as your child grows, so you will always feel comfort in your choice. Equally important, you should know that your baby will be loved, adored and cherished by us forever.

We understand some of your feelings because adoption is already a part of our family. Nancy's niece is adopted. She is an adored and cherished part of our family. She has brought great joy to all of us. Kelly was adopted when she was an infant. The word adoption has been used with her since the day she became a part of our family. Kelly realizes that adoption is as natural a way of building a family as childbirth.

Our son, Derek understands adoption to be a normal way of building a family. He is looking forward to being a "big brother". Derek is one of the kindest, caring, sweetest, happy and loving children around. Derek is amazing at sharing and getting along with others. He will be such a great role model to his brother or sister.

We have been happily married for eleven years. We have fun together and have always been able to make each other laugh - we are best friends. We have battled infertility which has made our relationship grow stronger. We support and balance each other. Joe is calm and easy going and Nancy tends to have a high level of energy.

Our most important goal in life is to have a happy, healthy family. We want our children to grow up feeling loved, secure and valued. They will know that they are the most important thing in our lives. Our son knows how much he is loved by the constant kisses and "I love you's" he hears all day long. We will bring our children up in the Catholic Church. We feel religion plays a major role in a child's life. We believe it helps to instill good morals, values and a sense of serenity.

We enjoy all outdoor activities. We especially love the beach and can't wait to bring your child into the ocean for the first time. There is nothing like seeing a baby in the water for the first time. We love to watch their little arms and legs splashing as they squeal with happiness. We also enjoy the nightly board games we play. It is a time of day that is quiet and relaxing with lots of laughs.

Our home sits on a lovely wooded, acre lot in a family oriented small town. Our neighborhood is full of children and is located in an area with excellent schools. One of the biggest attractions in our town is a 1,570 acre state park. This unbelievable park offers fishing, canoeing, horseback trails, hiking trails, sledding, ice skating and educational classes. We are surrounded by wonderful neighbors, friends and family.

Our extended family includes devoted grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. We get together quite often. Christmas and our annual Cape Cod trip are our favorites. Since all the grandparents are retired, they have made their new careers our son. We are so fortunate to have grandparents that attend everything. They are fixtures at all his ball games, school presentations and are there to wave and yell his name when he rides in a fire truck every Fourth of July. We are so lucky to have such supportive, generous, and loving families.

If you choose our family, you will be choosing a family that is stable, financially secure, and has a loving family that has already embraced adoption. We are excited and familiar with adoption and feel it is as natural a way of building a family as childbirth. Our family is fortunate enough to be able to have a full-time stay at home mom. Derek will be going to school in the fall, which will give us time to focus on a new baby. Our son is so excited at the thought of a sibling. He has picked out a few of his favorite toys to give to the baby. Every day he asks, "When is the baby coming?" We tell him …….soon.

Joe & Nancy