Our Story

When others look at us they realize that opposites really do attract. Steven is tall, David is short. David's emotional, Steven is rational. David is artistic, Steven works in technology. These are the differences that bring excitement and creativity to our lives.

We love spending time together alone or with friends going to movies, shopping, eating, visiting museums or playing at the local playground. Travel is very important to us and we've been lucky to visit many places in the past several years. Travel has given us an appreciation for the time away, and for the chances to see and learn about different cultures. Our plans include traveling with children to explore, learn and relax.

Our family is truly a blend of relatives and friends. Steven, originally from Michigan, moved to Chicago in 1991. David grew-up in Chicago. As loving and supportive uncles to 10 nieces and nephews, we've been part of many life events including ballet recitals, school plays, graduations, birthday parties, and bar and bat mitzvahs. Talking about our family wouldn't be complete without mentioning our dog, Margaret Mae. Maggie, as she prefers to be called, came into our lives in 2003. A small, black, Cocker Spaniel, Maggie is a sweet, loving and beautiful (if we do say so ourselves) dog.

PARENTING AND OPENNESS
For us, parenting includes teaching respect and showing kindness. In short, we see life as a balance between lessons and play. Parenting for us also includes passing on tradition and honoring family from generation to generation. Regardless of the holiday each one is filled with good food, good times and creating memories.

Equally important to us is the hope that we'll share these experiences with you. With two fathers, our child will clearly know that they have been adopted. So it's important to us that they have every opportunity to understand their history and their life story. We see openness as a way to make this happen, and hope you feel the same way, too.

Both of us have a lot of flexibility in our jobs. This gives us the ability to choose from many options when it comes to child care. Our intention overall is to cut back work hours to provide consistent, ongoing care by us in our home

OUR HOME
We live in a yellow, bungalow-style house west of the city (less than a 20 minute drive to downtown). It's a roomy, bright, sun filled three bedroom home decorated with things that we've collected over the past 14 years. We're even fortunate to have space for out-of-towners and sleepovers! Outside is a large, fenced-in yard with a deck, a patio, and our ever growing garden of flowers.

We are within walking distance to several public parks, a community pool, three playgrounds, a branch of the local library and a village-run conservatory. There are also several neighborhood shops, a coffee house which hosts daily kids' events and family-friendly restaurants nearby.

WORDS FROM DAVID
I'm a short, funny guy who grew up in Chicago and never left. I have a great fashion style/sense, and an incredible passion for creativity. Attending The School of the Art Institute of Chicago helped me hone my skills to where I can make a living that combines my love of fashion, with my ability to make things look the way I want.

I also enjoy spending time with the people and things I have around me and in the comfort of what's familiar and trusted. This gives me a sense of peace, and a level of confidence that I enjoy. I learned early in my life that eating right and staying fit are critical to managing my health.

Becoming a parent through adoption would be the greatest gift I could receive. It would give me an opportunity to nurture, protect, guide, mentor and love unconditionally. It's truly a chance of a lifetime.

WORDS FROM STEVEN
My interests are very different from David's. I love to cook. It relaxes me and reminds me of helping out my mom as a kid. In addition to cooking, I also enjoy gardening. Since we moved into our house five years ago, I now take the lead in setting up and maintaining our planters of flowers each spring and tending to the grass and trees. Seeing the plants grow and change over the season keeps me continually amazed.

Work is a really important part of my life. I have been there over 11 years and currently lead its technology programs. Work gives me a sense of community. I truly enjoy the work I do feel that it is making a difference.

Being a parent is a lifelong dream for me. Actually, I'd say it's more of a calling, than a dream. It is something I know I was put here to do, and something that I can't wait to happen.

Contact us at (800) 272-3534 or via email at adoption@cradle.org.

Thank you for taking time to read our profile. We hope it gives you a peek into our lives and has been helpful in making your decision. We hope to meet you soon.

David and Steven