Dear Birthmother:

Our names are Jim and Carolyn. We first met eight years ago. During our many years of dating and marriage, our dream for a life together has always included having a child. We were heartbroken when we learned that we could not give birth. But it wasn't long before we realized that loving and nurturing a child was far more important to us than giving birth. Adoption offers us a chance to realize our dream and to give a child a wonderful life and a bright future. We respect and honor you for the courageous decision that you have made to give your baby a secure and loving future.

Tiger Two Tone ...

We live in the Midwest, in a city known for its parks. We have a four-bedroom home in a neighborhood filled with children of all ages. We share our home with our dog, Tiger Two Tone, and our cat, Kitty Monster. Tiger is very popular with the girls in the neighborhood. They often come by just to pet and play with him. Both of our families live near by, and we see them regularly. Our close-knit family includes great-grandparents, grandparents, and lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. They are all very enthusiastic about welcoming a new baby into our lives.

Jim: I come from a big, loving family. I have an older brother, three older sisters, and two younger brothers. My dad was a video engineer and fixed and sold televisions on the side, out of our house. With seven kids, my mom had her

... and Kitty Monster, our two very child-friendly pets.

 hands full at home, but she also took in laundry to help make ends meet. We didn't have a lot of luxuries, but we always had what we needed.

I was a pretty typical kid: ornery, loud, shy, and quiet-- all in the same day. I loved to explore the creek behind our house. We would build forts along the water and go hunting with our BB guns. I remember we built a fort with a drawbridge once - no girls allowed. We used some old boards and hinges that we found lying around. I was the only boy who could jump the creek, so it was my job to lower the drawbridge for the others.

My dad was always fixing something. And I loved to watch. As soon as I got something new, I would take it apart to see how it worked. Sometimes I wasn't too successful putting it back together. Fortunately, my dad always could. When I was 16, my dad bought an old speedboat. It was a clunker, but we were all thrilled to have it. We would take it out on Mondays, and on Tuesday, we'd have to start repairing it again so we could take it on the water again the next week. I don't remember my father every lecturing me about boat repair, television repair....or life. But I sure learned a lot by watching him. I want to be a role model to my child as my father was to me. By example, he taught me patience, the value of hard work, the importance of honesty, and the meaning of family.

On vacation together in Hawaii.

I have a degree in industrial design drafting. I began my career as a computer-aided designer. I have been with the same company for fifteen years, and I have taken on many added responsibilities. But my favorite work is motor design, a role I assumed a year ago. I love a challenge, and I never mind working hard.

Carolyn is the most caring person I know. I would do anything for her, and I know she feels the same way about me. She's easy going, organized, and hard working. She was recently very active in a local organization that worked with disadvantaged children. As a member of this group, she'd take children shopping for school clothes and supplies, hold holiday parties, and other child-centered events. She's great with kids. I know she'll be a wonderful mother. She is so supportive, kind, and sensitive.

Carolyn: I am the oldest of three girls. My two sisters are my best friends, and we see each other weekly. I had a wonderful childhood in a home filled with love, trust, and respect. My parents both recently retired from long careers and spent last winter in Florida. After years of working, it's wonderful to see them enjoying retirement to its fullest - and enjoying it together. My parents are the most generous people I know. Throughout my life, I have seen them drop whatever they were doing to help others whenever they were asked. Of course, this included my sisters and me. I've learned so much from watching the way they treat other people, and I hope to pass those lessons on to my child.

Mom and Dad always made our birthdays special. One of my favorite memories is when I turned twelve, my Mom took me to have my ears pierced. I had wanted to have my ears pierced since I was nine, but Mom and Dad said I had to wait until I was twelve just like my sisters. They always kept things fair and taught us that patience is a virtue.

Our nieces and nephews from Carolyn's side of the family can't wait to welcome another cousin.

I was a quiet child. I loved to read. I look forward to holding our child in my arms and reading him or her Green Eggs and Ham. And I can't wait for the first time he or she reads to me. I can remember the thrill of puzzling out the words in my earliest books, and the feeling of accomplishment when I reached the last page and closed the cover.

I first met Jim at a church dance. I loved his blue eyes and his great smile. We were friends before we began dating, and I really appreciated that. We got to know (and respect) each other's interests and values. We truly enjoy each other's company, and although we often get together with friends or go out to plays and movies, some of our best times are on long walks with Tiger or on bicycle rides in nearby parks. Also, I love to go to the theater, see a good movie, listen to music, and go shopping with my sisters or friends.

Jim is caring, honest, hard working, and loves to fix things. It's pretty great to have such an accomplished handyman around the house. He learned a lot of his repair skills from his father, and I can picture him

We all enjoy going to Jim's parent's pool in the summer, Grandma Nichter is shown here with a few of her grandkids.

with our son or daughter, explaining what he's doing while he works on some household project. He has a big heart and enormous patience. I watch him with our nieces and nephews and know what a wonderful father he will be: answering endless questions, encouraging our child to try again, praising our son or daughter for the accomplishments of the day. And he has a great smile. Whenever I see him smile, I have to smile, too. I imagine there will be a lot of smiling in our house when he's got a baby in his arms.

I have an undergraduate degree in accounting, and I am working on a master's degree in business. When I took my first accounting class in high school, I knew that I wanted to be an accountant. I am the fiscal services director of a municipal agency where I manage the accounting and information technology departments. I intend to take three months off of work when the baby arrives, and Jim will take a leave when I return to work. I have a very flexible work schedule, and I can work from home, as needed.

Our home is located in a nice neighborhood with lots of playmates nearby.

Carolyn and Jim: We love our home and our neighborhood. The schools are great, the community is kid-friendly, and our extended family lives close by. Our house has a great back yard and a finished basement. We can picture our child playing on the swing set in the backyard, or riding bikes with one of his or her cousins. We imagine our kitchen with toys strewn about, and a child's artwork on the refrigerator. We imagine rocking our baby to sleep in the nursery. These are wonderful dreams, and we hope, with all our hearts, to have these dreams come true.

We will raise your child in a secure, stable, and loving home. We will see that your child gets an excellent education. We will give him or her every opportunity to explore the world and follow his or her dreams. We will provide guidance, encouragement, and structure. We will raise him or her to honor and appreciate you for your selflessness and generosity. And we will always be grateful to you. Likewise, we would be happy to send you letters and photographs letting you know how your child is getting along, if you wish.

If you have any questions about us, please feel free to call our attorneys, Steve and Joel Kirsh, at 1-800-333-5736. If they are not available, they will be paged and will return your call promptly.

We wish you all the best,

Jim and Carolyn