Hello from Bob, Michelle and Brody
We respect the courage involved in your decision to explore adoption, and thank you for taking the time to read our letter. We write with the hope that you can gain a greater understanding of who we are as people and parents, and perhaps get a sense of the life we might offer you and your child. Please know that if you choose us to raise your child, he or she will grow up in a home filled with love, laughter, friends and family, and will know the care and concern motivating your adoption decision. We believe in open adoption and wish to develop an ongoing relationship that feels comfortable to you, respecting your needs and desires.
Our Life Together . . .
We both grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. We met nearly 16 years ago when Bob’s “butter churner” dance moves drove Michelle to love or pity, depending on who tells the story. After an extended courtship (and some dance lessons), we were married in the summer of 2000 along a scenic river in Northern Oregon.
We live in a relatively small coastal town 10 miles south of San Francisco. We have a comfortable home overlooking the Pacific Ocean in a child-friendly community. Living a few steps from the beach provides us ample opportunity to pursue our love of hiking, running, mountain biking, surfing and windsurfing. We also take advantage of San Francisco’s many parks, museums, musical and cultural events. We enjoy our weekly outings to the local outdoor farmer’s market, and we love cooking together with family and friends.
We knew from early in our relationship that we wanted a family together. Challenged with fertility issues, our journey to parenthood has brought us closer – our love is deeper and our communication stronger. After several years of trying, in 2006 we were blessed with the birth of our son, Brody. Parenting him brings us more joy than we could have ever imagined and we hope to share our love with another child. We embrace open adoption as a beautiful way to continue to grow our family. As Michelle’s younger brother and sister are both adopted, we have experienced first-hand the wonderful gift that adoption brings to a family and are excited at the prospect.
By working hard early in our careers, we are now able to fully commit our time and resources to raising our family. We are fortunate to both work from our home and provide active parent involvement each and every day. A typical day in our home office is balanced by pillow fights, jigsaw puzzles, peanut butter sandwiches and bear hugs. We know in our hearts that being “stay-at-home” parents is the right choice for the whole family and we see the positive effects in our son’s life. We have the opportunity to guide and nurture, knowing one of us is always there offering support and attention. It’s rewarding for us as well, as we will not miss a single step in our children’s upbringing and development, and we are more connected as a family and as husband and wife.
About my wife, Michelle . . .
I was first struck by Michelle’s red hair and bubbly personality, but I grew to love her for her honesty, sense of humor, loyalty and unwavering love for family. Michelle is a great listener and has a wonderful way of making those around her feel special and welcome.
Michelle’s grandmother had a great influence on her life. They were very close and shared a love of cooking together, especially for big family meals. Not surprisingly, our kitchen has become the hub of our home and we frequently host dinners for family and close friends. Brody and I watch with wonder and anticipation as Mommy puts a new world spin on Granny’s old world recipes, including her famous roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy.
Michelle is a skilled and patient mother. Despite a successful career as a telecommunications sales representative, she always puts family first. Michelle frequently hosts playgroups at our home, managing the play and individual agendas of up to 10 toddlers. I have watched our young son blossom under her love and guidance. Brody and I are so lucky to have her in our lives.
About my husband, Bob . . .
I immediately fell in love with Bob’s warmth and sincerity and we quickly bonded because of our common values. Bob is a man of high integrity, passion, and commitment. An attorney by trade, he shows his generosity by dedicating a great deal of time to provide legal assistance to friends and family who otherwise could not afford counsel.
Bob loves to work with his hands and recently completed the design and remodel of our home. He is a wonderful artist and shares his talents with our son, helping him draw pictures of his beloved jets and dinosaurs. He has been such a comfort to me throughout our marriage, but particularly in trying times. Bob is a loving protector of his family.
Bob is a real “hands-on” Daddy and I continue to be amazed at the love and devotion he shows as a parent. He is a fantastic teacher, be it helping Brody with his manners or showing him how to surf. Bob is a wonderful father and a tremendous role model.
About our Son, Brody…
Brody is a very loving and active 3 year-old. His days are filled playing with friends in playgroups, running around at a local kids’ gym, visiting zoo animals, playing on the beach and singing songs and reading books at our library’s story time gatherings. He loves music, especially when we crank up the tunes for the “family dance party” -- though we’d prefer he not perform his legendary drum solos on the window sill! Brody recently started attending preschool, where we both work one day a week teaching, reading books, and assisting with art projects. He plays well with his many cousins and friends, and looks forward to being a terrific big brother!
Our Family . . .
We both grew up in very close, loving families who join in our excitement at the prospect of adopting a child. Most of our extended family lives within a 2-hour drive, allowing for many get-togethers at holidays and birthdays. Michelle has two sisters and a brother, and Bob has a brother and two sisters, making for lots of caring aunts and uncles and more than a dozen cousins. Both sets of grandparents are active in our lives, and they look forward to frequent visits to shower their new grandbaby with love. We also take periodic trips to Chicago, Portland, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, where various aunts, uncles and cousins reside. A child who joins our family will have the warm embrace of a large extended family.
Our Views on Parenting . . .
We appreciate the unique role a parent can play in terms of guiding a child’s judgment, character, and view of the world. We strongly value education and will stay actively involved in our children’s studies and school life, supporting each child’s individual interests, passions, and talents. We believe in encouraging a child to act with confidence, explore the world with curiosity and enthusiasm, and develop his or her own unique qualities. And, of course, we believe in just a bit of spoiling!
We were both raised in the Christian tradition of growth, love and faith. We are spiritually grounded people and plan to teach our children high morals and values in a loving and safe home.
A child placed in our care will have the attributes necessary to make you proud of your sacred trust in us as parents, and he or she will grow up with an understanding of your courage and selflessness. Be assured that you will always be an important part of your child's life and that we will nurture our relationship with you in a way that you find comfortable. We have the greatest respect for you and the adoption plan you're making for your baby. Our prayers and best wishes are with you.
Thank you for taking time to get to know us better. Please visit our website at http://www.michelleandbobadopt.com. We would love the opportunity to get to know you. Feel free to call us toll free at 1-877-ADOPT-05 (877.236.7805) or email us at MichelleAndBobAdopt@yahoo.com. You can also call our friendly and supportive adoption attorney at Susan Romer at 1-800-U-ADOPT-US (1.800 823.6788) or at adamsromer@aol.com.
