Our Story

We are Anna, Mike and Ben and we are so grateful and excited for the opportunity to connect with you.  So much so, in fact, that our hands tremble while composing this letter to you.  How on earth can we possibly fit all the warmth and compassion we have for you and your baby into one little “profile”?  The thought that our words and pictures could strike enough of a chord with you to consider tying our families together forever leaves us in awe.  Our hearts ache to be given the chance to adore and nurture a beautiful little spirit, quite possibly the same brilliant little one you are welcoming into the world.

As a couple, we have known and cared for each other since we were 15 (that’s 18 years ago!!!)--we are high school sweethearts and have been married now for ten years.  We have literally grown up not only alongside each other, but together.  We’ve always believed in each other, our love and our marriage, and we feel that our life experiences have enriched and strengthened us as a couple.  We know that the connection we have will sustain us as a family, creating a truly secure future for our children.

This love of ours has also created one of the most fantastic little boys we know--our 6 year-old son by birth, Ben, whom we’re just nuts about.  We lost our second child at birth and cannot have any more children, ourselves.  We know we have so very much love to give and our family feels incomplete.  And so it’s with much courage and hope that we have begun this journey towards adoption. 

ALL THE LITTLE DETAILS...

Anna is a photographer

Mike is an architect

And Ben will be starting first grade!

We live in a diverse suburb just north of Chicago (by O’Hare).  Our neighborhood has lots of kids of every color and our cozy 3-bedroom house is just two blocks away from Ben’s favorite park.

WHAT MATTERS TO US:  always finding ways to show others kindness; honesty; remembering to say “please” and “thank you”; family dinners; the value of hard work; eating healthy & being physically active; believing in yourself

____ IS MY FAVE...   (anna/mike)

color:  blue / orange

song on repeat:  Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left (Andrew Bird) / Tighten Up (Black Keys)

movie we’ve seen:  Amelie / Matrix

tv shows: we both love Modern Family, 30 Rock, Parks & Rec, Sat Night Live

board game:  Pictionary / Monopoly

video/computer game: Rock Band / Madden

food:  sushi / pizza

WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT EACH OTHER?

ANNA SAYS: Mike has always been home to me.  He embodies security, warmth and comfort in my life.  I love the ways he treasures me--always complimenting how I look or sending love notes over email.

MIKE SAYS: Anna resembles the very definition of empathy--she puts everyone else in front of her, whether she knows them or not.  She’s the biggest “people person” you’ll ever meet.  She is caring, sweet and passionate and I love that she chose me to be by her side.

TWO FURRY SWEETHEARTS

We have two lovable cats in our home: Sam & Griffin.  They are never shy of kids--they sleep at the foot of Ben’s bed at night!

LIFE IN OUR HOME + BEYOND

Life is hands-on in our home.  We always have music on in our house and some kind of Lego creation being built or a craft being created with Ben.  Ever since he was tiny, we’ve made an effort to get out and about every day, whether it is dropping in on the story-hour at our local library, finding fixings for dinner at the farmer’s market or going for a swim at our YMCA. 

Being tourists in our own city is also a fun time for all of us--we’re looking forward to spending a night at a hotel downtown soon, as Ben thinks staying away from home is one of the coolest things a kid can do.  Ordering room service and being able to jump up and down on the bed?  Yes, please! 

We’ve traveled all over the US with Ben in tow; San Francisco being our most frequented destination.  One of our hopes is to travel to Europe in the near future to spend time with extended family living there.  There’s even talk of us all renting a big house in the Italian countryside to celebrate Anna’s mom’s 60th birthday.  We would be beside ourselves if we could bring our new son or daughter with us to meet them!

And there is no need for daycare!  We are lucky that Anna’s job is so flexible and your baby will be able to snuggle close with her each day--just like she did with Ben.

OUR HEARTS ARE OPEN

We’ve been living with the joys of diversity for the last six years with Ben.  He understands, based on our friends, family and community,  that families come in all different sizes, shapes, colors, languages, from different bellies and same-gendered parents.  On our block alone, he has experienced being the only white child in a game of soccer or at the playground.  We feel that our natural openness about who we love in our own lives is teaching Ben that every person is precious and has value in this world and feelings that must be cared for.  And we are extremely lucky to have so many people in our lives whom we love dearly and who love us right back. 

We have always seen so many gains with open adoption and are grateful that your child will grow up knowing you (in whatever role most comfortable for you) all of his or her life.   While we realize that loving boundaries are best to instill, we definitely have imagined our life as an adopted family involving you as an extended part of our own.   Should you be a bit shy about taking an active role in your child’s life at any point, please know that you will always hold a special place in our family.  We know that, should you choose to make an adoption plan, what will give us the greatest confidence in raising your child is that you have faith in us and that you felt we truly were the best family for your child. 

We are so grateful you took the time to read about us and we are wishing you strength, hope and love as your journey continues.