We are Dominic and Melissa. You have no idea how appreciative we are for the opportunity to write to you about us; our home, our life, and our hopes for the future. We have been married for over six years and are very excited about adopting a baby.

When we found out we were not going to be able to give birth to a child, we were initially disappointed. However, the disappointment didn't last long because the adoption process had worked well for me (Dominic). I was raised in a loving home and given every opportunity to achieve success. I love my adoptive parents and am very grateful to my birth mother for choosing to give me life and the opportunity to be raised in a loving environment that allowed me to have a fun childhood and the opportunity to go to college. I often think about her and wonder if she thinks about me. I always smile and think "Thank you" for the blessings in my life. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for her! We want you to know that we think you are so courageous and selfless in your decision to choose life and security for your baby. We also think it is imperative that you know we have never been more prepared for anything than to give a child a life full of love, support, and great opportunity.

We live in a ranch home with 3 bedrooms. We are in the process of finishing the basement which will add an additional bedroom and family room. Our home is in a child filled subdivision with a community pool for all kinds of summertime fun! Not to mention, both of our families live close by, too!

Dominic is a pharmaceutical sales representative with a very flexible schedule and a sales territory that allows him to be within 30 miles of home at all times. Melissa is a registered nurse with a flexible work schedule as well. Melissa works full time now, but will scale back her hours to stay home most of the time with our baby. We have waited too long for a baby. It will be like Christmas morning every day to wake up with our baby in the house, but we know that we cannot be at home all the time. However, you can be sure that if we cannot be here, family members will be forming lines outside the door. Our parents are already giving us their availability for the next year!

Here are a few words describing Dominic written by Melissa:

I met Dominic at a 4th of July party with my girlfriend. He promptly introduced himself and seemed very genuine in his approach. We talked as though I had known him my entire life — like he was part of my family. I knew right when I met him that he was going to be a special person in my life. We would talk on the phone any chance we could and spend every waking moment together when I wasn't consumed with nursing school. He would leave flowers and cards on my car while I was at work to just say he was thinking about me. We got married in 2005 and things with Dominic and I continued to get better. We bought our first house only to fix it up then sell it to build our new home. During that time, I learned even more about Dominic. Not only was he gentle, but he was also extremely patient and hard working. Fixing up a house can be stressful, but Dominic has this calming, caring way that just makes everything seem easy. We worked well together helping each other finish projects around the house.

Now that still continues, I work 12 hour days three days a week and those days he will clean clothes, wash dishes, and even make dinner. When it comes to family whether it is his, mine or a friend's, Dominic does anything he can to help. Not even a year after we married, my dad was diagnosed with stage IV esophageal cancer, and the doctors told me that he had four weeks to live. Dominic was very much involved with my dad's care; he would go over to the house after work and make my dad laugh which keep his mind off things. My dad loved his yard/garden (otherwise known as his "sanctuary") so Dominic would lend a hand with anything from moving outside furniture, pots, and fountains to trimming up a tree that was hanging over the roof. He had no idea how much those little things meant to my dad and to me. Dominic has always done those kinds of things for friends and family without hesitation. I know that his caring, genuine ways will always be a part of our lives and, most definitely, our child's life. My mom always calls Dominic the "kid magnet" because anywhere there are children, Dominic is in the middle! Children love him, and he is so great with them. He loves to play and listen to what they have to say, which is why I can't wait to see Dominic with our child. Our child will be the apple of his eye, and I know he or she will think he is the best dad around!

Here are a few words about Melissa written by Dominic:

When I met Melissa at that 4th of July party, I immediately introduced myself. The party was full of my friends and I wanted her to feel welcome. That she was (and is) incredibly beautiful might have also had something to do with my introducing myself. I didn't get the chance to talk to her much, but I definitely noticed when she left. I was happy when she showed up at one of my softball games and I finally got a chance to talk to her. Our conversation was casual and easy, and I remember thinking what a great girl not only beautiful, but smart and witty. I later ran into her at a local festival and immediately began a relationship that has lasted until today. When we spoke at the festival, it seemed the whole world faded into the background, and we were the only two people on earth. The more I got to know Melissa the more I was impressed. She was smart and had a great work ethic. She was studying to be a nurse and had a full time job. Family and friends were always a priority and she would do anything to help them. Her honesty, humor and her ability to light up a room immediately impressed me.

When we got married, things got even better. I could not ask for more in a wife. She is very focused on making sure our home life is great. She handles all the bills, 95% of the cleaning, and loves to cook. She is very supportive of all my activities (including running the Chicago Marathon this year!) and fills me with confidence. She takes the time to stay fit and looking great. Melissa is truly my best friend and can't wait to bring a child into our family. Melissa has always loved children, and when we got married, I looked forward to starting a family. I can't wait to raise our child with her for the rest of our lives. We will always be there for our child. Melissa will be a great mom! Not only is she a hard working, she is a caring and compassionate and will provide all the love a child could ask for.

We love to spend time together doing whatever. At home we enjoy doing yard work together. Dominic will cut the grass while I weed, plant, or water flowers. Of course, Hannah (our yellow lab) is following behind Dad with the lawn mower and every so often she will come to see what Mom is doing. We also love playing Scrabble or Yatzee in the evening. What we love best is going on vacations. Every year we go with Melissa's dad's family to a cabin for a week in the summer. We used to go to Wisconsin but this year we went to Tennessee. The family vacation has a total of 28 people having a great time. Melissa's grandfather, his children and grandchildren and great grand child spend a week together. We spend those days playing games, telling bad jokes, playing pranks, going fishing, riding go carts, going shopping, golfing, cooking and eating way more than we thought we could. That is what our life is about, enjoying spending time with the ones we love. We want nothing more than to share these experiences with our child.

Dear Birth Mom, not only do we have an abundance of love and affection to give a child, we can also provide your child with many things to help them develop their skills and interests. We even have a college fund started to make sure our child has the means to be whatever it is they want to be. We live in an area with a highly ranked school system which excels in academics and sports. We will encourage our child to be an active part of his or her community through participation in sports and academic clubs. We will expose our child to all kinds of activities, and when she or he finds something they really like, we will be sure that they receive any extra coaching or tutoring they need to achieve their full potential. Education will be a priority, and we will provide every opportunity for our child to excel. We will be there to celebrate their successes and console their missteps. We are not perfect and do not expect our child to be perfect. We just want our child to be happy, to give their best effort, no matter the outcome, and to always conduct themselves as a lady or gentleman. There will always be family support just around the corner for our child. That means birthday parties, family reunions, and holidays filled with love and laughter.

Before closing our letter, we want you to know that we would be happy to send you letters and photographs letting you know how your child is getting along, if you wish.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter. If you would like to know more about us, you may contact Steve and Joel Kirsh at (800) 333-5736. If you call after regular business hours, their answering service will page them and they will call you back as soon as possible. They will not pressure you into anything, they will only provide you with the any and all information you need to make a well-informed decision.

Sincerely,

Dominic & Melissa