Dear Expectant Mother

My name is Melissa and I appreciate your taking the time to read my letter. I truly respect your courage and strength in considering adoption. My hope is that after reading and learning a little bit about me, we can talk and get to know each other better. I can assure you that I am very excited (and prepared) to receive a baby into my life. I want you to know that a child will be raised with loving kindness and in a home where he or she can grow and thrive, and always be well-cared for and unconditionally loved.

About Me

I was raised in Michigan in a family of seven. I have two older sisters, one older brother, and one younger brother. My mom and dad still live in Michigan and claim to be retired, but I think they’re busier now more than ever. They travel, volunteer, and are active grandparents to my four nieces and four nephews. My siblings are all married with children. We remain close despite our being spread throughout the country: Washington, Idaho, Michigan, and me in California. We are committed to staying in touch, and have a family reunion each summer.

My family has always provided an immense amount of support to me. Even growing up, I knew that one of the most important things for my parents was that their kids were happy. As a family, we enjoyed memorable vacations together. One time my parents rented a big motor coach, and we road tripped throughout the United States. We also spent many summers fishing, swimming, and boating on a very unique, tiny island in Canada. Those times were amazing and easily the best memories of childhood. It definitely left me with the sense that experiences far outweigh the accumulation of things.

From my parents, to siblings, to a wealth of good friends, I feel I have a reliable support system to carry me through the experience of raising a family.

My Career

My career as a winemaker has been incredibly rewarding to me. I graduated from the University of California, Davis with a degree in Viticulture (Grape Growing) and Enology (Winemaking.) I absolutely love my job and am very passionate about what I do. That said, I’m seeking some balance in my life. I do feel there are riches far beyond what I do in my career, and these lie with a family life. Fortunately, my job is flexible enough to accommodate my being a mother as well.

My Hobbies

I believe I could be described as resilient, passionate, independent, and mellow. I’m also healthy and committed to staying in shape. I love the outdoors, and I ski, run, and snorkel whenever I can. I have a love for travel as well and have had the good fortune to experience many trips, both here and abroad. I have worked on organic farms in New Zealand, crushed grapes during a harvest in Australia, and traveled to Paris with my sisters. I would like to share this love for travel with my child.

My Thoughts about Parenting

I am very excited and grateful to have the opportunity to adopt and be a parent. I had hoped to start a family when I got married, but as you probably know, the best-laid plans don’t always give the results expected. (My husband and I divorced very amiably in 2005.) I am now single and living in Santa Rosa, California. At this point in my life, my desire to be a mom is immense. I am very patient and caring and feel that I will bring an enormous amount of love, stability, and genuine support to the child I am fortunate enough to adopt.

It is my goal to create a home where there’s a lot of fun and laughter. My role as a mom would be one that nurtures, supports, and encourages a child to be someone strong, independent, and full of incredible character and integrity. Education has been very valuable to me in my own success. I look forward to supporting a child’s interests through education, as well as providing access to travel, art, and sports. I am committed in helping a child develop his or her own personality, and will encourage open communication with one another.

My Home

I bought my home in 2005 in an area of Santa Rosa that has a great school district. It’s a one-story home with all wood floors, three bedrooms, and two bathrooms. I have a fenced-in back yard with a large deck and lots of bamboo and flowers. There are many kids in the neighborhood, always playing outside and riding bikes around the block. Down the street there’s a Whole Foods, my favorite pizza place, a small movie theatre, and a couple of very incredible parks.

I have a beautiful and silly Welsh Corgi named Scout. How quickly I’ve fallen in love! He is so mellow and loves being around children and playing with other dogs. The neighborhood kids often join me when I walk him through the neighborhood. He has made me laugh on so many occasions, and I know he’d make a wonderful buddy to a child.

In Closing

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me. I look forward to meeting you and creating a life-long relationship that is agreeable to the both of us. Please know that my intent is, and always will be, to surround this child with love and honesty, providing encouragement and a stable environment in which he or she can flourish. Most of all, whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

Please call me toll free at: 1-877-277-0951or email me directly at mojostack@comcast.net. You can also speak with my friendly adoption attorney, Susan Romer at 1-800-823-6788.

With loving kindness,
Melissa