Dear Birthmother:

Thank you for considering us as adoptive parents for your child. We are Dan and Candy. We live in the Midwest, where we both grew up, near both of our families, in a community that is filled with children. We have been married for seven years and have always wanted children. However, after two unsuccessful, in-vitro fertilizations, we know that we cannot give birth to a child. We are eager to create our family through adoption, and we hope that we are the couple who meets your dreams for your child.

Dan works for a large manufacturing company. He is proud of his advancement to his current responsibility for production and personnel leadership. Candy is a secretary for a church and school. Her work hours are flexible, and when a baby arrives, she intends to work part time. Between Candy's flexibility and Dan's shift work, it will be rare that we will need childcare. However, if it is needed, Candy's cousin has offered to help out with babysitting. She cannot wait. She loves babies, and we trust her implicitly.

Candy: I grew up in a close family with two sisters and a brother. While I was growing up, my father worked in construction. He now has his own construction company. My mother, who passed away nine years ago, was a stay-at-home mom during most of my childhood. We didn't have a lot of money as I was growing up, but my parents always made sure that we had what we needed. My siblings and I would come home from school, play outside, and then we'd all sit down to dinner together as a family. I always felt secure in my family's love. I was - and still am - closest to my sister, Bonnie, who is nearest to me in age. When we were young, I followed her everywhere. We played together, argued (as all sisters do) and were always there for each other during our happiest and saddest times. She and my entire family are enthusiastic about our plans to adopt. They all know how much we want to bring a child into our hearts and our home.

My siblings and I knew how to entertain ourselves. We'd play tag or softball. We'd play store and use leaves for money. We caught frogs and made mud pies. We all loved the outdoors and looked forward to our summer camping trips to the beach. We'd spend the day on the water and on the beach, and then build a campfire at night to roast marshmallows. It was great fun and wonderful family time. I can't wait to make family memories with our child. I look forward to days at the park, sunny mornings at the beach, and evenings telling stories around a campfire.

I've always loved animals. My aunt likes to remind Bonnie and me about the Halloween when we trick or treated for coins instead of candy to raise money for the Humane Society. And I remember saving my allowance to buy food for strays in the neighborhood. We have a dog named Sophie who is 6 years old.

 She loves children, especially when they are old enough to start dropping food on the floor. We have a cat named Tiffany who is 17 years old. My mom rescued her from a tree when she was just a kitten. And last but not least, we  have a cat named Misty who is 12 years old and comes from the Humane Society where I once worked. I spent seven years working at the Humane Society, where I began as the receptionist, became a lab technician, and then a supervisor of the kennel. I enjoyed that work, but I also enjoy my current job at the school and church.

My favorite part of my current job is the scheduling of home visits with parishioners. I enjoy checking in with people who are homebound, knowing how much they look forward to a visit, how much they enjoy chatting. Most of my work is on the computer, a skill I hope to use in the future, working out of our home.

My mother taught me through the way she lived her life to take responsibility for my actions, to be caring and loving, and to make the best of every day. She found the good in everyone; everyone who knew her loved her. She and my father were both hard-working, and I learned from them how important it is to fill your days with work you enjoy.

My parents emphasized the importance of honesty, trust, and respecting myself and others. I was raised with a lot of love, and I have a lot of love to give. I've always known that I wanted to be a mother, to see the world through a child's eyes, to encourage a child to try new things and discover a passion. I learned a lot about good parenting from my mom and dad, and from my sisters and brothers. I can't think of a more important -- or more rewarding -- role than being a mother. My dad and I grew especially close during my mother's illness. We talk nearly every day and see each other at least once a week. My sisters work at the same school where I work. And I see my nieces and nephews frequently. I'm especially close to my brother's oldest daughter, Heather, who is now 21 years old. She was born when I was only 12, and I was always so excited to babysit for her.

I met Dan on New Year's Eve, and we dated for four years before we were engaged. I can't imagine my life without him. He's warm and caring and always there for me. He makes me laugh. Before we met, I hadn't traveled that much. Dan has encouraged me to see the world. We go to Mexico every year with childhood friends, who now live in Arizona. We spend a week on the beach, with their children. I can't wait until we have our child there with us, making sand castles, giggling in the warm waves, splashing in the salty water.

Whenever our younger nieces or nephews are around and their parents can't get them to nap, everyone says, "Give them to Uncle Dan." It never fails. Dan walks around with them in his arms and within ten minutes, they're sound asleep. I tease him that it's because he's boring, but I know the real reason. They feel safe in his arms. He loves children and they know it. Dan will be an amazing father, nurturing, fun, and a wonderful role model.

Dan: I grew up with all girls: three sisters and a girl cousin who was raised by my parents after the death of her mother. It could be pretty challenging with all those girls in the house. I don't think the telephone ever stopped ringing. But I learned a lot from them. They were always ready with advice, particularly, on how to treat a girl. I think that made me a little more sensitive to the feelings of women.

We had a great childhood. I have fond memories of playing catch and football with my dad, and watching him work on our cars or fix things around the house. My parents were loving and warm. They taught us the importance of hard work and honesty. The inspired us with their love and their faith. I always knew that family came first to them.

During the summer, we'd drive to my aunt and uncle's cabin on the lake, where we'd play with our cousins, swimming, fishing, and riding in the boat. We'd tell each other scary stories at night and wake the next morning to the sounds and smells of my mom and my aunt making breakfast.

Christmas was a magical time in our home. Our parents would wake us at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning, and we'd all open our presents and spend the rest of the night and day playing with our new toys, singing Christmas songs accompanied by my mom on the piano, and later watching television as we'd finally tire out.

Like Candy, I became an uncle at 12 years old. I have been around children my whole life. And it's really what makes me happiest. I love the time I get to spend with my nine nieces and nephews - and now with their children. I can't wait to rock our baby in my arms, comforting him or her with my presence and my love. I often think about how I was raised, in a home that was safe and stable, and I want to give that security to our child. I want to encourage our child to explore the world and chase his or her dreams.

I got my first job while I was in high school. I worked part time at stocking shelves at a grocery store. I've spent more than twenty years with my current employer. I'm proud of my job growth and the skills I've learned through the years. It's really satisfying to me that I'm the one that the workers come to for direction and advice. I want to be someone that others know they can trust-and respect.

Candy is my best friend. She is warmhearted, generous, and committed to her family. Our nieces and nephews adore her, and know that she will do anything for them. She always makes time for her family and friends. She's a wonderful listener and a thoughtful caregiver. She has so much to give a child: love, guidance, and encouragement.

We love spending time together, talking or watching our favorite shows. We both enjoy NASCAR, and each year, we go with a large group of family and friends to a race. Candy's dad went to the races with his father, and we enjoy continuing this family tradition. Candy also enjoys bowling, reading, and cross stitching. I like watching football and baseball games. We both like to get together with friends to barbeque and play cards.

Candy and Dan: We have a three-bedroom home with lots of room for children. In addition to our family room, we have a sun porch that has pine walls and windows on all four sides. We love to have coffee there in the morning, sitting in the sun, listening to the birds and watching them at our bird feeder. It's a great room for a child to sit at the table and paint pictures, build forts, and read books. Our neighborhood is filled with kids. Our neighbors get together each spring to plant flowers, paint, and do a general clean up in our park. We have a Santa parade each December where Santa rides by on a fire engine, tossing bags of toys to the kids. It's a great community and a wonderful place to raise a child.

If you choose us as adoptive parents for your child, we will teach him or her that the whole world is within reach. We will encourage our child to follow his or her heart. We will give our child a loving extended family, a secure and stable home, and a lifetime of encouragement and support. And we will tell him or her about your unselfish and loving decision to choose adoption. If you wish, we will keep you updated with letters and photos through the years.

If you would like to know more about us, please contact our adoption attorneys, Steve and Joel Kirsh at 1-800-333-5736. They are very helpful and easy to talk to, and they will not pressure you in any way. If you call after business hours, their answering service will page them and they will get back to you as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Dan & Candy