Children are naturally curious, and we will do our very best to ensure that our child experiences the joy of learning. Education has been a central aspect of our own lives; we both have completed advanced degrees, and we both work in educational fields. Needless to say, we realize the importance of formal education in developing a child intellectually and preparing them for the future. Therefore, we both plan to take an active role in our child’s school studies. To help them excel academically, we will stay engaged with their teachers, monitor their progress, and make sure that they are adequately challenged. Most important, we will provide enthusiastic guidance and encouragement along the way.

However, we will be sure not to limit life’s lessons to the classroom. To help our child develop social skills, we will encourage them to interact with other boys and girls across diverse settings (sports, camps, club activities, etc.). To help our child experience hands-on learning, we will provide plenty of opportunities for arts and crafts, outdoor adventures, and hobbies. In addition, we both believe in the importance of “quiet time” - a chance for children to play independently and learn to be comfortable on their own. Above all, we will respect our child as an individual, with their own unique personality, curiosity, and passions. Our goal will be to provide constant love, support, and encouragement as they explore the world around them.

Both of us have parents who are avid gardeners, so "working the soil" comes naturally. Every spring, Sam plants miniature peppers and cherry tomatoes in the back yard, and by summer they are ready to be eaten (straight from the garden!). Christina takes pride and joy in growing beautiful roses, hydrangeas, and rhododendrons. In addition, Christina has arts and crafts in her blood, and she always has a project going. She enjoys getting together with friends to dye fabrics, paint Easter eggs, decorate soaps, etc.

We are also children at heart, and we look forward to all kinds of family fun time. In particular, we love to work puzzles and play games together. Christina is especially fond of social games (one of her favorites is charades), and Sam enjoys strategy games (like Scrabble and chess). It's a sure bet that when there is a family get together, a game will break out! We can't wait to share these fun experiences with our growing child.

Another of our favorite pastimes is cooking. Christina enjoys experimenting with different recipes at suppertime, and she loves creating "culinary masterpieces" for friends, parties, and family get-togethers. Sam usually sticks to the things he knows best, like "pancake breakfasts" on Saturdays and fresh-baked bread on Sundays. Between the two of us, there is always something tasty in the house!

We live in a residential community in Atlanta, GA. Just a few minutes from our home are major art and children's museums, as well as one of the world's largest aquariums. Also nearby is Christina's favorite museum, the Center for Puppetry Arts, which offers puppet shows and puppet-making workshops!

Our neighbors are extremely diverse in race, age, and background, and many of them have young children themselves. The neighborhood has lots of everyday activities for parents and kids - we look forward to taking our child to the playground, the YMCA, and the walking trail leading to our local elementary school.

Three years ago, we moved into a new home with the specific goal of starting a family. We made sure that the house was very child friendly, with a large living area for family activities, a child's bedroom with plenty of space, and all the latest safety features. Outside, there is a flat front yard to play in, a large flower garden, and Sam's vegetable garden in the back. The street is quiet, and the area is very safe. We fell in love with the home at first sight, and we know it will be perfect for a growing child.

Christina’s father grew up on the Caribbean island of Tobago. He was very active in the church, where his wisdom and Caribbean accent made him a popular speaker. Christina’s mother worked as both a substitute teacher and a daycare manager. Today she lives just a short drive away from us, dropping in at least once a week. Christina's sister lives in New York. She, her husband, and her young daughter are a loving family, and we look forward to the time when our children can play together.

Sam has three brothers, including a twin (not identical!). He grew up in Alabama, where his father worked as a doctor and his mother was a children's nurse. They provided their children with a good education, strong morals, and lots of family activities. Sam fondly remembers playing baseball and basketball, trips to the beach, and family games on the weekends. All his brothers still live in the South, and the whole family gets together 3-4 times a year.

Together we have three young nieces, and taking care of them has taught us a lot about being parents. To help out with our youngest niece (and prepare for our own future child), we attended a “baby boot-camp,” took CPR classes, and learned all about choosing baby clothes, diaper changing … and making animal noises! Christina (“Auntie Coco”) and Sam (“Uncle Sam”) cannot wait to put these skills to use with their own little one!

This is a difficult letter to write. We know very little about you, except that you are looking to provide your child with a loving family, and you know very little about us, except that we are searching for a little one to nurture, protect, and cherish. Fortunately, however, we are confident that we and you are looking for the very same thing!

Over the past few years, we struggled to have children on our own. Although the repeated failures were discouraging, they led us to a very important discovery: What we were seeking was simply a child to love and care for, and it was not important how that child came into our lives. Having made that discovery, we explored different options and decided that adoption was right for us. We learned a lot about open adoption, and we became very enthusiastic about the idea. If we were to adopt your child, we would be excited to share information, updates, and pictures over time, and to keep in touch through texts, emails, and letters.

As a mixed-race couple, we have always appreciated the value of diversity, and through our very own experiences, we have seen how diversity enriches lives. Both of us were raised in the South. Sam's parents were both from Tennessee, while Christina's upbringing was a mix of the Midwest (mother) and the Caribbean (father). Through the years together, we have blended our different backgrounds to create new, shared experiences and traditions. On occasion, we have been known to eat chicken and dumplings for dinner, and coconut-ginger tarts for dessert! We still make regular visits "home" to Alabama, Indiana, and the islands.

Both of us have advanced degrees, and both of us have jobs in the education field. Christina designs educational material about public health and food safety, which is used in both professional and school settings. She works mostly from home, giving her a great deal of flexibility to spend time with family. Christina has always been outgoing and generous by nature, and she is constantly supporting and encouraging the people around her. She is incredibly excited to become a mom, to share her love and care with a child, and to watch that child grow into a confident, successful adult. Sam works on the business school faculty at a local university. People who know him say that he is very easygoing, calm, and curious about everything! Sam is eager to become a father so that he can share that curiosity, helping his child to learn about the world, discover new things, and appreciate all that life has to offer.

For more than 15 years together (10 of them as a married couple), we have approached life as a single "team," with the same goals and aspirations. On occasion, each of us encountered major personal challenges in health, career, etc., that seemed almost "too much to handle." Rather than lose hope in the face of those challenges, we relied on each other for love, understanding, and support, and we worked through the challenges together. As a result, our relationship has grown even closer and stronger over the years, and we have come to appreciate the "big picture" about things that matter most in life. One of those things is family, and we are truly ready to start a family of our own. Our life experiences will help us to be grounded, patient, and understanding parents. We will maintain our focus on the long run while working through short-run obstacles. At the same time, however, we will ensure that our child learns to appreciate all of life's blessings along the way.

We are so very excited to be this close to parenthood! We truly respect you for considering adoption as one of your options, and would absolutely love the opportunity to welcome both you and your child to our "team!" We sincerely thank you for reading our heartfelt message, and we wish you all the best in the days ahead.

Sam & Christina