Lynette
Dear Birthparent(s),
As you face this important decision I hope you have all the love and support you need. I’d like to share a bit about who I am and how I arrived here—writing a letter to you in the hopes of becoming a parent. I imagine that we already share one thing in common: a desire to give this child the gift of knowing their birthparents.
I grew up in the desert southwest with lots of open space in which to play. I have seven brothers (yes, I was the only girl!) My brothers were protective, but they gave me the usual amount of sibling harassment! We’re still close as adults—I know that if I need anything, my brothers are just a phone call away. I have a blast with my brothers’ kids – 17 nieces and nephews in the family! We love making cookies, crafts for the holidays, visiting the children’s museum, or taking a vacation together.
With ten people in the family and only one income (my Mom was a homemaker), money was pretty tight. In spite of that, my parents always made sure we were well-fed, clean, and loved. To this day, I admire my Mom’s ability to stretch our budget and to bring a healthy, hearty meal to the dinner table every night. She is still an amazing woman who is very much a part of my life. When I asked her if she would come and stay with me after bringing a baby home, it made me happy to hear her say, “Oh, honey, you wouldn’t be able to keep me away!”
While in college I also worked part-time, so it took a long time to complete my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The day I finished my studies, my father said to me, “You’ve accomplished more in your 30 years than I have in my 60 years, and I’m really proud of you.” His words still hold a special place in my heart. I’m so thankful for my education, as it has allowed me to have a fulfilling career and financial stability. I work as a leadership coach, supporting people in their personal and professional development. My job offers me flexibility to work from home often. I envision being home full-time for six months after bringing a child home. When I return to work, my plan is to work 32-hours per week and receive childcare support from a nanny until the child starts school.
I love spending time with my dog, Abby. I’ve had her since she was a puppy (a defiant little puppy at that!), and she has grown into a sweet dog who mostly just wants to put her head in my lap and be petted. We enjoy daily walks, hiking, and snowshoeing, and we often go with close friends of mine who own Abby’s littermate. Every year I enjoy planting and growing a garden - few things beat making Eggplant Parmesan using veggies from the garden! I’m also passionate about traveling. I love that a smile and a few gestures will connect me to people even if I don’t speak their language. Once when I was traveling in Chile, a driver took me and my friends on gravelly roads in pouring rain to the middle of nowhere to catch a boat. We didn’t speak the language so we didn’t know what to expect. As the hours went by, we wondered at what point he would grow tired of us and leave us in the mud and rain. Three hours later, though, when our tiny canoe finally showed up, it was clear that the driver never considered leaving us out in the rain. It was such a good reminder of people’s kindness and to always assume the best in others.
Most of my friends already have children. Two of my closest friends, who have adopted two daughters from Guatemala, live nearby me. I consider the girls my nieces, and we spend time together often. I’m grateful that my child will grow up with other kids who are adopted so they can share their stories with one another. I can’t wait to share some of life’s wonderful experiences with a child—from walks, to gardening, to traveling—and to build a close, caring relationship with you so we can surround this child with as much love and support as possible.
Thank you for considering me and taking the time to learn about me.
With utmost respect,
Lynette