Dear Expectant
Parent,
Thank you for your strength and for considering adoption. We can only imagine the weight of the decisions you’re facing, and we’re honored that you’re taking the time to learn about us.
Adoption has always held a special place in our hearts. Shawn was adopted as a baby, and his experience has helped shape our shared belief that love, not biology, builds a family. When we learned that we wouldn't be able to have children biologically, adoption felt like the most natural and hopeful path forward.
We know a letter can't possibly capture the full picture of who we are. But we hope this glimpse into our lives will show you the kind of loving, joyful, and supportive home we’re ready to offer your child.
Our Story
We met online back in 2007 and on our first date together we realized nearly half an hour had passed before we could stop talking long enough to look at the menu. That’s when we knew we had something special. We got along so well that we went out again the very next evening.
One Sunday just three weeks later, Alex woke up aching and exhausted with the flu. Shawn was supposed to go home and do the things he needed to be ready for the work week, but instead he bought medicine and Kleenex from CVS and stayed with Alex all day. When Shawn himself got sick the very next weekend, Alex came to his apartment with soup and medicine. By the end of the month, we were already falling in love with each other.
Six months later, we moved in together. We waited to get married until we could throw the kind of celebration that brought together all our friends and family for the biggest party of our lives. Our marriage is rooted in mutual respect, shared values, lots of laughter, and a commitment to care for each other.
When we were ready to have children, we discovered that we couldn’t. We had always considered adoption a possibility (most people who were adopted usually do) so it was a pretty natural decision to adopt as well. And here we are today!
About Alex
Alex is a children’s librarian who lights up a room. Whether she’s leading silly, high-energy story times or making kids giggle with her creative fashion sense. She’s smart, steady, and incredibly generous. She hikes every week, gardens in the summer, and always finds practical, thoughtful ways to care for the people around her. I know she’ll be the kind of mom who builds blanket forts, tells the best bedtime stories, and teaches our child how to identify constellations on camping trips.
About Shawn
Shawn works in software sales, but his real passions are curiosity, learning, and connection. He’s thoughtful, funny, and calm in a way that makes everyone around him feel at ease. He’s studied German, lived abroad, completed his MBA while working full-time, and can still whip up a batch of homemade hummus that gets devoured at every gathering. He has a natural way with kids and will be a patient, loving, and engaged father. Always ready to listen, teach, and play.
Our Life Together
We live in Chicago with our two cats, Thelma and Louise. When we can, we love to get out of the house and do things— museums, street fairs, concerts, comedy shows and hanging out with our friends. We love living here and value the opportunities that Chicago will provide for our children to meet diverse people and pursue their passions. This is an extraordinary city. Our family will live within walking distance of both public transportation and miles of parkland. Here, our children will have all the advantages of growing up in a vibrant international city and spending time in the natural world. We want to help them reach for their dreams and achieve their fullest potential.
Most of our family lives far away, but we maintain close relationships with them. We typically spend Thanksgiving with Alex’s dad’s family in Milwaukee and Christmas with Shawn’s family in Boston. Alex’s mom, who lives in Argentina, visits for 2-4 weeks every summer. Shawn’s brother has three young children of his own, and Alex’s brother and his wife have a two-year old son. We also plan to adopt a second child, so if you choose us, your baby will have a younger sibling, and cousins close to their age.
Our Values
We believe in kindness, fairness, and showing up for others. We donate regularly to causes we care about, volunteer in our communities, and live in a way that reflects gratitude and care for the world around us. Alex picks up litter from the woods where she hikes, and Shawn is a devoted caretaker to the people he loves.
If you’re open to ongoing contact, we would welcome the chance to build a relationship with you. Whether that means sharing photos and updates or finding ways to stay in touch that feel right for everyone involved. Above all, we promise that your child will know where they came from and how deeply they are loved.
In Closing
Thank you for taking the time to read this and getting to know us a little. We hope that we will get the opportunity to know you as well. If you would like to learn more or get in touch with us, you can email us at [email protected] or reach out to Linda at Adoption Center for Family Building by texting (773-919-5702), calling (773-919-5702), or e-mail ([email protected]). Regardless of your decision, we wish you all the best in finding the right family for your future child.
