Our names are Ilene and Norman. It is a privilege to have this chance to tell you about ourselves. We are grateful that you are considering adoption for your child. We dream of becoming parents and hope that you will make this dream come true.

We live in the Midwest, in a suburban neighborhood filled with children, with outstanding schools and wonderful recreational facilities. Both of us are very close to our families. Norm has a brother and a sister, and Ilene has two sisters. We are in constant contact with our parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, getting together for family dinners, holidays, and vacations. We have many friends, including neighbors, and enjoy every opportunity to get together with them, too. Norm is an eye doctor, and Ilene is a nurse practitioner. We are in love, surrounded by loving family and friends, and were financially secure. We are grateful for all that we have. Our only sadness is our inability to have a child. We always pictured children as part of our lives. When things did not happen naturally for us, we sought the help of infertility specialists. Unlike some couples it did not take us long to move past our infertility and realize that, for us, having a baby is far more important than giving birth to one. We look forward to adopting a baby, a child we can love and nurture. It is for that reason, we are so thankful that you are taking the time to read our letter.

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Norman: I grew up in the suburbs of a Midwestern city and my parents still live in the house where I was raised. In our home, family was (and is) the number one concern. My parents had a very loving relationship and were wonderful role models for me and my sister and brother. They encouraged me to chase my dreams, to be active and involved in whatever interested me, which was a lot. I took piano lessons and played clarinet. I loved sports, especially basketball, which I still play with friends a couple of times a week. My parents were always in the stands, cheering me on, letting me know, by their presence and their encouragement that what mattered to me was important to them. Through their words and their actions, they taught me to treat other people as I wanted to be treated. I understood that it was important not to make fun of others, and to accept others for who and what they were. These are important life lessons that I will share with my child.

My father and I were close. He passed away two years ago, but hes still an inspiration in my life. He was in the jewelry business with my grandfather, and during school breaks and summer vacations, I helped out at the store. It was a treat working for my dad. He taught me all about jewelry, how to examine and grade diamonds, how to repair watches. I especially enjoyed our annual trip to Las Vegas, to the largest jewelry show of the year, where we would look for and buy unusual pieces, or find gemstones to make our own creations. It was a great gift to spend that time together, to share his interests, to learn at his side.

Our family spent a lot of time together. Since my brother, sister, and I were all close in age, we helped each other with homework. We were all close to our grandparents, who lived less than five miles from our home, and the extended family, including aunts, uncles, and cousins, gathered for all celebrations: birthdays, graduations, and holidays. My whole family cannot wait until we adopt a baby.

I enjoy meeting new people and learning about their lives. As an eye doctor, Ive had the chance to get to know thousands of people in my community, and its a real pleasure to run into my patients wherever I go. Its gratifying to be greeted warmly, knowing that I have made a real connection with so many people.

I met Ilene through a mutual friend. We had a long distance relationship, getting to know each other through email and then telephone calls. Before we met, I was already taken with her warmth, intelligence, and sense of humor. I was charmed when shed laugh at my jokes. (Youd have to know me better to know how incredibly loving she has to be to laugh at my jokes.) I love listening to her laugh. We share the same values. She is extremely loyal, and makes me feel good about myself. She is nurturing by nature, and very wise. All these qualities will make her a wonderful mother.

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Ilene: I grew up in New York and later moved to Miami. I am the middle child of three girls. We are each two years apart, and we have always been tightly knit. Our home was always the house where all the kids hung out my parents were welcoming to all of our friends. My mom was a class mother each year, alternating between her three daughters. Every night as I was falling asleep, I would hear her in the kitchen, making our lunches for the next day. She used to help us pick out our clothes the night before so we wouldnt be late for school the next morning. I remember my mom staying up late, typing a term paper for me. (If she hadnt, I might still be at my desk today, pecking slowly at those typewriter keys.)

My family always took a summer trip together. My dad was in the car rental business. He would bring home a station wagon for our vacations, and wed head out on the highways, always exploring somewhere new. We often went on vacations with friends and other family members. I remember one trip to Miami Beach, where I got such bad sunburn, I was sick. Funny though, I still think of that trip as a wonderful family holiday.

After graduation, both of my sisters went to New York to work in the fashion industry, but I was always drawn to the sciences. I was a candy striper at a local hospital and loved helping the patients. I graduated from college with a degree in nursing and then went on to graduate school to get a Masters degree and license to work as a nurse practitioner. I have had a wonderful, satisfying career. But Im grateful that we have the financial security to allow me to stay at home full time with a baby. I loved having my mom home when I was growing up, and I want to give my child the same kind of time and attention I got from her.

My sisters have three children between them, and I am a doting aunt. I talk to my nieces and nephews several times a week, and I make sure that I see them often. I love cooking, especially for the holidays, and nothing makes me happier than feeding my family. I love setting our table with the beautiful china we got for our wedding, filling the house with the wonderful smells of good food cooking, and then enjoying all the laughter and conversation at the dinner table. Everyone goes home with leftovers, because I cook enough to feed an army. I love filling my home with the people I love.

Norm and I have a wonderful marriage. We spend a lot of time together. Even while we are working, we get together regularly for lunch. We enjoy outdoor activities, especially bicycling and gardening. We love to go to art fairs, travel to new and exciting places, and visit our siblings in New York, New Jersey and Chicago. We cant wait to take our child to Florida, where Ilenes parents still live, to play in the sand, enjoy the ocean, and, of course, visit Disney World.

Norm is warm and outgoing. He loves talking to people even strangers and hes a great listener. Hes great with children, making them feel safe and comfortable whether hes seeing them as patients, or visiting with them in the neighborhood. He is very easygoing, and doesnt let lifes aggravations bother him. He will make a wonderful father.

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Our house is in a wonderful neighborhood full of children.

Norm and Ilene: We love our home. It has four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a large finished basement. Norm is very handy around the house, and can fix almost anything. We both love to garden, and Norm takes real pleasure in mowing the grass on his tractor.

We live a block away from the community clubhouse which has outdoor tennis courts, and an indoor court, and indoor playground for children, and a large pool. Its no wonder that our neighborhood is filled with kids. When we go out of town, neighborhood children take care of our cat, Izzy. On our first Halloween here, at least one hundred children came to our door to trick or treat. (And theyve come back every year, too, in spite of the fact that Norm sneaks into the candy bowl to eat all of his favorite sweets before the kids arrive.)

Our yard always has a stray tennis ball, softball, wiffleball, or basketball that has escaped from a neighbors yard. Were always buying Girl Scout cookies or whatever one of the kids comes by selling for a fundraising project whether we need it or not. We cant wait until a child of ours adds to the musical sounds of kids playing in backyards, chattering, calling to each other, and laughing with the joy of childhood.

Over the years, we have collected many wonderful childrens books. We look forward to cuddling with our child, reading to him or her, and someday, having him or her read to us. We are eager to go on walks together, go to museums, and explore the world with our child. We cant wait to stay at home on a cold winter day and bake cookies together. We look forward to play dates, homework, and sports.

We are grateful that you are considering us as parents for your child. If you have any questions about us, would like to talk with us by telephone, or meet us in person, please contact our attorneys, Steve and Joel Kirsh, at 1-800-333-5736. Likewise, we would be happy to send you letters and photos, letting you know how your child is getting along, if you wish.

Our home and our hearts are open. We long to have a child in our arms.

Warm regards,