OA&FS Prospective Adoptive Families - Dear Birthparents Letter
From Charles & Mark
Dear Birth Parent(s),
Hi! We are Charles (left) and Mark (with "Trouble"). We would be so thrilled and delighted to welcome you and your child into our home and lives.
We live in the land of cheese, tulips, bicycles, windmills, and wooden shoes – The Netherlands (also known as Holland)! We realize that this may sound far away, but we want you to know that we are smart, resourceful people who firmly believe in the philosophy of open adoption and we would be truly dedicated to making this relationship work. We have dear friends and family living throughout both Europe and America with whom we maintain close relationships and we are confident that we would be able to do the same. It’s amazing how much easier it has become with emails, videocams/Skype, and digital pictures – not to mention the good old fashion telephone, letters, and of course, visits in person. We also believe that The Netherlands is a fantastic place to raise a child and Amsterdam has so much to offer.
We are both energetic and active people who love the outdoors. In particular, we love to play tennis. We actually met and fell in love with each other while playing in tennis tournaments in London, England and Sydney, Australia. Our relationship is built on good communication, trust and love, and we are best friends. It doesn’t hurt that we each have a good sense of humor and can make each other laugh and that we just have fun being together. Besides tennis, we love traveling, spending time with our families, raising our dog, skiing and/or hiking each year in the Alps, playing cards, having friends over for dinner, and watching movies (Mark loves "chick flicks" while Charles favors a good drama, independent, or cult film). Mark is hooked on Sudoku puzzles and Charles tries to keep up with a few American TV shows when he has time (thank goodness for HD recorders). He even has Mark hooked on Grey's Anatomy!
Charles was born and raised in the United States. He is warm, loving, easy going and conscientious, but he can also be competitive – especially on the tennis court! He loves games of all kind, sports, meeting new people, cities, the ocean, the theater, and spending time with his nieces. He is a former teacher who now enjoys life as a "makelaar" (real estate agent), helping expatriates buy homes in and around Amsterdam.
Mark was born and raised in The Netherlands and is smart, thoughtful, caring and generous. He loves music, swimming, playing the piano, rollerblading, the countryside, the mountains, reading and meditating. He is a dentist with his own practice, which he walks to every day with our dog – only a 5 minute walk!
Mark is a morning person while Charles is more of a night-owl. This actually has its advantages such as making it clear who will walk our dog in the mornings and evenings (and one day who will be changing diapers!). Mark is amazing with languages. He is fluent not only in English and Dutch but also French and German. Charles is great with numbers.
As a couple, we enjoy and have a very positive and optimistic view towards life. We love nature and value the environment and enjoy simple things such as walks on the beach, a nice sunset, and spending quality time with our loved ones. We each value education and inner development and our goal is to create an environment in which a child will have all the opportunities to develop his/her interests and natural talents in a nurturing environment. We are excited about both the rewards and challenges involved in raising children and we will do everything we can to be good parents and to raise a happy, healthy and much loved child. Our families support us wholeheartedly in our endeavor to become parents and have enthusiastically pledged their continued love and support.
We appreciate your taking the time to learn more about us. Your decision to consider the open adoption process must be a difficult one, but we think it is one of extraordinary courage. We wish the best for you and respect the difficult decision you have in front of you.
Charles & Mark
For this family's complete adoptive parent profile, please contact Open Adoption and Family Services
More OA&FS Parent Profiles:
Photo Gallery | Dear Birthparent Letter Excerpts
The premier northwest adoption agency completing the most domestic, infant adoptions in Oregon and Washington.
5200 SW Macadam Avenue,
Suite 250
Portland, Oregon 97239
315 West 10th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97401
200 West Mercer Street,
Suite E-508
Seattle, WA 98119
| Oregon: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR: | Phone: (503) 226-4870 | Fax: (503) 226-4891 |
| Eugene, OR: | Phone: (541) 343-4825 | Fax: (541) 431-1241 |
| Medford, OR: | Phone: (541) 608-6134 | Fax: (541) 282-8564 |
| Bend, OR: | Phone: (541) 388-2535 | |
| Salem, OR: | Phone: (503) 540-5832 | |
| Washington: | ||
| Seattle, WA: | Phone: (206) 782-0442 | Fax: (206) 782-0578 |
| Vancouver, WA: | Phone: (360) 254-7236 | |
| Olympia, WA: | Phone: (360) 352-3063 | |
