Sabrina and Brian

Hi there! We are writing to you with hearts full of admiration for your incredible strength and bravery. We know this is a deeply personal and difficult decision, and we want to acknowledge the courage it takes to consider such a selfless act of love for your child.
We have such respect for this fragile process. Within our family, we have people who have experienced both sides (placing a baby for adoption and being adopted). Because of this, we can begin to understand a birth mom’s perspective as we go through this journey together.

Our Story

We met during our junior year (2017) at Illinois State University while we both pursued our Elementary Education degrees. We were in the same math class together and Sabrina “needed help” with a project, so she messaged Brian. After Brian was not able to offer any help, they continued messaging and never stopped. We felt a strong connection very quickly and began dating a few weeks later. Throughout the first year, we had to work through dating long distance since Brian was student teaching two and a half hours away from where Sabrina was student teaching. After graduating, we were both able to land jobs in the northern suburbs of Chicago (where we have been ever since). We dated for a few more years and then got married in October of 2021.

Shared Interests

Spending time as a couple is not difficult because we have so many shared interests. Our most important interests are our rescue dogs, Feeny and Cory. Feeny is the black dog and is about 5 years old. Cory (who is deaf) is the white dog and is about 3 years old. We love taking them on walks and snuggling on the couch.

Another interest of ours is sports. We love watching and going to football, basketball, and baseball games. We also enjoy being active and playing sports; we like to golf and we play in a sand volleyball league. We also play fantasy football, which can get a little intense considering that we have to play against each other sometimes. We love cooking, watching television and movies, playing games (board games, yard games, and Nintendo switch games), and trying new things (whether it is new recipes or new experiences). Most importantly, we are both in the education field, so we have a shared passion for helping kids become the best versions of themselves (both academically and personally).

About Sabrina (Written by Brian)

If you could picture the ideal teacher or perhaps recall a favorite one from your own school days, you’d likely see someone very much like Sabrina. She possesses a rare combination of selflessness and a genuine desire to help others reach their full potential. Sabrina consistently prioritizes the needs of those around her, nurturing their growth and celebrating their successes. Her dedication to personal and professional development is evident in her recent completion of a Master’s degree in Reading, a testament to her commitment to becoming an even more effective educator. She has a remarkable ability to draw out the best in people, a skill that will translate easily into her role as a mother.

Sabrina embraces new experiences with open arms, whether she's experimenting with adventurous recipes in the kitchen (a cookbook might not be far off!), exploring different cultures, or delving into a thought-provoking documentary. Her curiosity shines through in her love of podcasts, books, and even a good thriller. But her greatest joy comes from spending time with our nieces and nephews. With them, she transforms into "Auntie Bri," where she shows her playfulness, unwavering patience, and a deep empathy for their every need. They adore her, and it's easy to see why.

About Brian (Written by Sabrina)

Brian is the best life partner anybody could ask for. He is caring, outgoing, and funny. He cares in the way that he is always making sure everybody’s needs are met, whether it is my needs, family member’s needs, the needs of his coworkers, and even our dog’s needs. He is so outgoing in that there will never be awkward silence if he is around because he always knows how to create conversation. He is funny in that he makes everybody around him laugh with his goofiness, sarcasm, and doing something to embarrass himself.

Brian is inspiring. He obtained his Master’s degree and became an assistant principal of a middle school when he was just 27 years old. His passion for his students is second to none and everybody around him at school can see his genuine care for children that are not his own. Not only does he care about his middle school kids, but he also has so much love for our nieces and nephews. All of them love “Uncle Bri” and are excited to see him and play with him when he arrives. It warms my heart watching him interact with them and I cannot wait to see this light of his shine bright through our own children.

Family

We are who we are today because of our families (the good, the bad, and everything in between). Brian’s parents have been happily married for 37 years; Sabrina’s parents got divorced, which gives us the opportunity to understand both perspectives on marriage. Brian has two sisters, and Sabrina has two sisters and a brother. We are aunt and uncle to 5 nephews and 3 nieces, who are all under the age of 8. All the adults, and even the kids, are excited to welcome another grandchild, niece/nephew, and cousin into this loving family.

Our family has several connections to adoption. Brian’s grandma and Sabrina’s sister both placed their baby for adoption. Brian’s dad and Sabrina’s aunt and uncle were all adopted. These experiences allow for our family to be extremely empathetic towards this process.

Our (future) Family Values

We strive to approach each day with positivity, finding joy in the little things and looking for the silver lining even in challenging situations. Empathy is at the heart of our relationships, as we believe in understanding and sharing the feelings of others. We treat everyone with respect, valuing their individuality and honoring their perspectives. We are also lifelong learners, always seeking new knowledge and embracing opportunities for personal growth. Finally, we believe in always putting your best effort in, whether it’s in our work or our relationships, knowing that our best is always enough. These values are what we will instill in our future children.

Our Promise

We promise to honor your desire for what you wish this journey to be. Your child will always know how much love you have for them. They will know that the selfless decision you made was the best decision for everyone involved. They will always know of the important people who helped shape their unique identity.

We promise to give your child a stable and nurturing home filled with love, laughter, empathy, and opportunities to grow into the best person they can be.

If you would like to connect with us, you can email us at [email protected]. You can also reach out to our adoption counselor Linda by texting or calling her at (773)919-5702 or by email at [email protected].

Sincerely,
Sabrina & Brian