You decide whether you would like to let them adopt your baby.
We are here for you to help make the decision that best suits your needs.
Mark and Bob
Dear Expectant Mother,
We are honored that you are taking the time to read about us and to consider us for parenting your child. We really admire your courage and want to provide you with information to help make your decision easier.
We are Mark and Bob. We have been together for seven very happy years. We share similar values, a sense of humor, an interest in the world - and most importantly - a life-long commitment to each other. Bringing a child into our lives is a cherished dream of ours and we have created a loving and nurturing home environment in which to do so.
About Mark (written by Bob)
Mark is one of the most wonderful people you will ever meet. Everyone thinks so. He is the kind of person who livens up every get-together and makes everyone feel welcome. Children love being with Mark because he is always so fun, imaginative, and patient when playing games and reading stories. He is also a very good cook. Every time I see him with kids, and how well remembers each child’s specific interests, I know that Mark was born to be a father.
Mark is a professor of political science, teaching international politics at the City University of New York. He loves his job, particularly helping students understand the world. He is on campus just two days a week and has summers free—which will let him be at home most of the time with a child. In addition to teaching, Mark works on human rights and justice in Latin America, advising the United Nations and foreign governments. Mark speaks Spanish, and loves the warmth of Latin American culture and its emphasis on family. His friends around the region are already excited about future visits with a child.
About Bob (written by Mark)
The qualities that make Bob such a wonderful partner will make him a great father. He is kind, patient, funny, smart, and sympathetic. He really listens to people, sees the best in everyone, and connects with kids of all ages. Bob is also the most resourceful person I have ever known, and will really help a child develop their talents.
Both Bob and I love to read, and when Bob talks about books, his descriptions of people and places are engaging and vivid. Although he is too modest to say, Bob is a very funny story-teller. He also knows a lot about film and theater, and will help open up the world of the arts for a child.
Bob is an Assistant Director of Development at Vassar College, where he develops programs for the students and helps provide them with scholarships. I also have seen how great Bob is with his family, from spending time with his nieces to rushing home at a moment’s notice in an emergency. I know he will bring the values of his close-knit family and community to our family.
Our Families
Bob was raised in a small farming community in Pennsylvania, with his younger brother and sister. As the oldest grandchild in a large family, Bob also helped raise his many younger cousins. After moving to New York, he was also the mentor of a young boy for seven years in the Big Brothers program. That boy, Bryant, is now a father himself, and remains close to Bob.
Mark was raised in San Francisco, and has two older brothers, two younger stepsisters, a father, step-mother, seven nieces and nephews, and many cousins. They are all excited about our new addition to the family. One of Mark’s biggest pleasures over the past 16 years has been spending time with his nieces and nephews. Some of them may now come to college near New York, where they can spend more time with their new cousin.
Life in Our Town
We live in the town of Beacon, New York, located on the Hudson River. One of the main reasons we moved here is because it is a great town to raise kids. It is very safe and friendly, filled with activities such as hiking in the state parks that surround Beacon and visiting our many art museums. New York City is only an hour away by train. Beacon is also very diverse, with people of all races and ethnicities, and has a new state-of-the-art public high school as well as excellent private schools. We also have a national environmental center and even a swimming pool right in the river!
On Beacon's oldest colonial street, we bought and renovated a roomy Cape Cod home that is perfect for a family. It has a very large backyard and front yard, two playrooms, a sunny child’s bedroom next to ours, and even a baby grand piano for music lessons. There are three playgrounds around the corner and Main Street is just a five-minute walk. Our friends and neighbors have infants and toddlers who will be ready-made friends for a child.
Our Values
We have thought a lot about how to best raise a child, and know that you have many questions to ask us One of the most important things for us is education. Mark has a Ph.D. and Bob has a law degree, and so we will provide your child with the best schooling possible. We also believe in letting them get involved in a wide range of fun and interesting activities, from sports to music. Spirituality is an important part of our lives too, and we are active in the Unitarian Universalist Church, a liberal Christian denomination. It has a great religious education program for kids, which focuses on learning about diverse cultures, helping the community, and the joy in sharing with others.
In Closing
We realize the huge importance of this decision in your life and our lives. We have thought a great deal about parenthood, and feel that we have the love, support from family and friends’ support, and financial resources to fulfill our commitment to providing your child with a happy life full of opportunities to allow them to realize their full potential.
Thank you again for reading our letter. From the feelings you have now to the contact you have with your child in the future, your needs are a priority for us. So we would like to hear your concerns and questions. If you would like to talk, please give us a call any time at our toll-free number, 1-800-830-4785, or by e-mail to markandbobadopt@yahoo.com. You are welcome to visit our website at: http://www.markandbobadopt.com. You can also call our lawyer, Susan Romer, at 1-800-U-ADOPT-US. We hope for a chance to get to know you, and perhaps to provide your child with the type of home you wish for them to have, with the security, happiness, and opportunities to realize their full potential.
With all our best,
Mark and Bob
From Mark's nieces, Rachel and Kayla:
“Uncle Mark has been the relative we most look forward to seeing since we were toddlers because of his patience, kindness, and humor. When we were preschoolers, Uncle Mark was the one who let us paint his face, no matter how long and how many times we wanted. He was the one who got on the floor and played ‘cat and mouse,’ an indoor game of tag. Uncle Mark was always happy to read us a bedtime story, go to the park, or do anything else we wanted.”