What does "Family Life" mean to you?
The most important aspect of our family life is spending valuable time together. Spending time with family is our favorite thing to do. We live within walking distance to Becky’s family and her sister’s family. Spending time at a family BBQ, playing games outdoors, traveling and camping together are some of our favorite ways to spend time with family.
Describe your childhood:
Adoptive Mom? I had an incredible childhood. I grew up on the same street as both sets of grandparents. Having that closeness in proximity and weekly dinners with extended family made me value the importance of family. I have one sister whom is four years older than me. There was never a dull moment growing up. We put on numerous talent shows for our parents, dancing and singing. We both belonged on our local swim team and competed in swim meets from a young age through high school. I was able to act in school plays, took part in ballet classes, become a cheerleader, attend summer camp and even play the piano and violin. Our parents allowed us to enjoy many experiences in our childhood. Some of which have molded who I am today. We were blessed and able to take many family vacations growing up, from small camping trips, to cruising the Caribbean or snorkeling in Hawaii. Academics were always a strong part of my childhood and my parents valued education. I attended private and public schools growing up. My childhood was fulfilled in many ways.
Adoptive Dad? I also had an incredible childhood although different from Becky’s in many ways. My family owns a successful appliance business. While growing up I spent many days at the business with my family. I was able to learn a lot about owning a business and also able to spend time with my grandparents as well. I have one younger sister who was born with physical difficulties. She had to have many surgeries as a child and this brought our family closer together. I admire my parents and sister’s strength for overcoming this condition. Education was an important aspect of my childhood and my parents were able to put me through college. I no longer live near my parents but am a short plane ride and phone call away.
Tell us about your home?
We live in a four bedroom, three bathroom home built in 2006. Our home was not built yet when we purchased it so we were lucky to pick out many of its features. Our home is near many parks, nature trails, and a high achieving public elementary school. We have a large backyard that has been the host of many family barbeques. We have a hot tub and spend time after dinner relaxing together. We plan on turning one of our extra rooms into a playroom for our child.
When you have a 3-day weekend, what do you like to do?
When we have three day weekends if we don’t travel for a short get away to the mountains or the city we welcome the opportunity to stay home with family and friends. We often host family barbeques or will entertain our close knit circle of friends many of whom have young children. We love movies and will often find ourselves spending an evening on the couch watching a good movie together.
Do you have pets? If so tell us about them?
No pets yet. We always said having a pet will be something we let our child decide.
What is your favorite food?
We love all foods. We tend to have Mexican food at least once a week, but we also love sushi, Thai, Chinese, Italian, and even a good old American hamburger.
What do you hope to teach your children?
We want to teach our child to live life to the fullest. That each day is a new one and that surrounding yourself with positive people and experiences will help give you a positive outlook on life.
Do you play any musical instruments?
As a child we both played piano but it wasn’t a talent that “stuck”.
Describe your neighborhood?
Our neighborhood is in a newly developed master planned community. It is full of many young parents whom have children outside riding bikes and playing ball. We’re blessed to live in a safe neighborhood with friendly neighbors. We are surrounded by nature trails, and within walking distance to a park surrounding a small lake. We live a block away from a high achieving elementary school.
Share something about your spouse that only you know:
Adoptive Mom? Ryan likes to have clean hands. When we eat messy hamburgers, or bbq ribs, he either uses a knife and fork or gets up to wash his hands right after he eats.
Adoptive Dad? Becky is addicted to her computer. She can be on that thing all night if I let her! She’s looking forward to having a child so she’s too busy to spend time on things like Facebook and email.
Describe the last romantic thing you did together?
We traveled to San Francisco for the weekend. We realized that we have so many friends and family that it had been a while since we traveled alone. We walked through Fisherman’s Wharf, and to Pier 39. We shared a romantic dinner and spent the night at a historic hotel.
What will you tell your child about their birthmother?
We will tell our child how brave and courageous their birthmother was. That they loved their child so much and always will love them. That their birthmother helped fulfill a dream of ours that we thought was not possible and that she chose us because she knew we were the only ones that could love them as much as she did. That she loved her child so much that she wanted them to have a family that could provide a good and happy life for them.
It's Daddy's day - what activity do you want to share with your child?
A day spent with just Daddy and son/daughter doing something they both love; maybe a trip to the zoo, a bike ride to the park, or a picnic in the backyard. It will be a day when Daddy can have some valuable one-on-one time having fun with his child.
Do you plan on sharing with your child what their birth parents were like?
Definitely. We want our child to know where they came from and feel that it is important to their identity to know about their birthparents.
What kind of education are you hoping to provide for your child - Private or Public?
We are lucky to live in an area with a great public school system. Becky is a first grade teacher at a public school so she is a great believer in the public school system and the high standards they hold their students to.
How did you come to the decision of adoption?
After going through infertility treatments for two years we realized that what we truly wanted was not a pregnancy but a child. We always knew we wanted to have a family of our own and when we decided to adopt it was an easy decision. We feel that adoption is our plan to have a family.
What faith will you raise your child?
Both of us grew up attending a Protestant church. We will expose our child to religion but will ultimately let them choose when they are old enough what religion they would like to practice.
How will you help your child accomplish their dreams?
We will help our child accomplish their dreams by nurturing them and believing in them. Education is very important to us. Becky as a teacher knows the importance of helping to build the love of education early on. Helping with homework on a nightly basis and providing many other opportunities to learn are important. We have already established a college fund for a child we are yet to have. We also want to allow our child to take part in extra-curricular activities, soccer, piano, dance, whatever their interest.
What kind of a relationship do you hope to build with your birthmom through her pregnancy?
We want her to know that we are here for her if she needs us. We want her pregnancy to be as safe and as easy as possible. We want her to get to know us and feel comfortable with us so she knows that she is making the right decision and her child will be raised in a happy and loving home.
How did you meet?
We were neighbors in the dorms in our first year at college. We started our relationship as friends and ended up falling in love.
What was your relationship with your parents like?
We both have good relationships with our parents. Becky is lucky enough to see her parents at least a few times a week. Ryan is able to talk to his parents on the phone. We both consider our parents to be our friends and still call them to tell them about our lives.
What attracted you to each other?
Becky says: “ Ryan is funny. He can light up a room with his personality. He is outgoing and always is good at everything he puts his mind to. He is supportive and knows what things are important to me.”
Ryan says: “Becky is outgoing but calm. She is a good balance for me. She is loving and supportive. She has a close circle of friends and family that she would do anything for. Her love is unconditional.”
Please describe your personalities:
Adoptive Mom? Calm demeanor, patient, loving, kind, friendly, a good listener.
Adoptive Dad? Athletic, outgoing, smart, funny, determined, focused and passionate.
What are your hobbies (please share those you enjoy as individuals and those you enjoy as a couple):
Adoptive Mom? Swimming and reading
Adoptive Dad? Golf and gardening
Both? Cooking, spending time with family and friends, traveling, and watching movies
When you close your eyes and see yourself holding your precious baby in your arms what are your thoughts regarding the birthmother?
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I cannot begin to understand how difficult the decision was that you have made. I am eternally grateful and you have helped to fulfill my life in ways that I cannot even begin to describe. I feel as if I was meant to be a mom and you have allowed that to be a possibility. Your selfless decision is one that I do not take lightly and promise you that I will love your child unconditionally and provide them with a life surrounded by love, laughter, and family. THANK YOU!
How will a child enrich your life?
Ryan and I are ready to raise a child for many reasons. We can’t wait to experience our life that we have built through the eyes of our child. We will be there to teach our child and we know we will learn from them as well. We are looking forward to our days and nights spent together as a family.
Why did you each choose the career path you decided on?
Adoptive Mom? I’m actually one of those people who always knew they wanted to be a teacher when they grew up. I attended summer camps as a child and eventually became a camp counselor, and a camp director. Before college I worked at after school child care facilities, taught swim lessons as a lifeguard and babysat. I love working with children and watching them learn and grow. When it was time to apply for college becoming an elementary school teacher was my only choice. I decided to major in child development and went on to accept my first teaching job right after college. Teaching definitely has its hard years and easy years, but I find the classes that are the most difficult are the ones that leave the biggest memory in my heart. Being a teacher was a great career choice for me and I wouldn’t change a thing!
Adoptive Dad? Growing up I spent time working in my family’s successful appliance business. My grandparents created the business and now my mother owns her own business as well. When I applied for college I knew that I was interested in Economics. Seeing the ins and outs of owning a business sparked an interest in this field. After graduating with a degree in Economics I was able to start my career in the banking industry. Starting as a business banker I have progressed to the title of Vice President of Commercial Banking. I enjoy my career and the field of economics. Even in these trying times it is interesting to study the patterns of the economic world.
What makes a birthmom special?
A birthmom is special because they are able to provide a gift to an eager couple that they are unable to provide themselves. They are able to provide a gift to their child in choosing them a life with a family that would do anything for them and that has been waiting for them with eager open arms. They are able to make the selfless decision to put their child’s needs first and provide them with a happy loving home.
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