Dear Birth Parent(s),

We'd like to start by thanking you for choosing life for your child! It takes incredible strength and courage to place a child for adoption, but most of all, it shows the tremendous love you have for your child. We have the utmost respect and love for you in working through this difficult time. We can only imagine the enormity of the decisions you are facing, and we will keep you in our prayers.

We are Fred and Sarah. We met while skiing about seven years ago, and we have been happily married for over five years. We are best of friends and truly love and respect each other for who we are. We are a hard working, honest, and dedicated Catholic couple with Christian values. We have tried unsuccessfully to have children. In June of 2006, we welcomed our son Lucas into our lives through adoption. It's the best thing we've ever done as a married couple.

We can't wait to share our lives with your child! We love the outdoors, so skiing, hiking, camping, and fishing are just a few of the activities we enjoy as a family. Our state presents many opportunities for outdoor fun year-round, and we do our best to take advantage of that. We value our time spent together and cannot wait to include your child in our family. We plan to lead by example and act as positive role models, holding ourselves to the highest standards. We've both been blessed to have come from loving, supportive families with strong values, and we so long to include your child in our family and our arms.

Family traditions are family memories. Sarah's mom used to make cinnamon French toast whenever her cousins slept over, serving it on TV trays while they watched Saturday morning cartoons; Fred's father still makes the kids and grandkids line up for "snoke floats"-Coke and ice cream in a frosty glass. While eating lunch at the ski hill, watch out for the "trick" sandwich-Sarah's uncles have been known to leave the cheese wrapper in a sandwich for some lucky person. Fred's family took month-long road trips to western national parks every year, camping along the way. Sarah and her cousins spent summers branding at the ranch, trailing the cattle on horseback and then eating ice cream as it ran down their arms. We also have those favorite traditions-Christmas recipes and Thanksgiving prayers and July 4th fireworks-but creating a family through adoption we have begun our own traditions. We hike into the mountains and cut down the "perfect" Christmas tree with friends, family and the kids. We bring snacks and hot chocolate and sled with the children until we get too cold. Then we come home, decorate the tree, and curl up together to watch "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". We are eager to include your child in our family traditions.

As adoptive parents, we understand the responsibilities we have not only as parents to our children, but to their birthparents as well. We believe that it is important to be open and honest with your child regarding his/her adoption. We are patient and loving, and will be especially so when answering your child's questions regarding adoption. Your actions show you to be strong, unselfish, and loving, and that is how we would positively present you to your child. We would be happy to send you letters and pictures so that you may experience your child's accomplishments and achievements and know that your child is loved.

We feel so blessed to have each other, live where we do, and share our lives with people who are important to us. We are very excited to grow our family. We look forward to providing opportunities for growth, unconditional love, emotional support, and financial stability for your child.

In this short portfolio, we've tried to give you a glimpse of who we are, what our lives are like, and what is important to us. We'd like to thank you for your consideration in providing us the greatest gift in the world…the opportunity to be parents to your child, and we would be honored if you felt confident that we are able to fulfill your hopes for your child.

Sincerely,

Fred & Sarah