Dear Birthmother...

I wish I knew your name. "Birthmother" just sounds so...generic. We've thought about you for a long time. Wondered who you were. What you looked like. What you do for fun. We do know one thing about you. We know you're a beautiful person, inside and out. You must be since you so obviously love your baby so much. We can't wait to meet you someday, and give you a big hug! (Sorry, but we're huggers in this family!)

I honestly can't imagine facing the choice you face now. I'm sure you're struggling with so many things. And maybe you don't even know if adoption is the right choice, or the wrong choice. Steve and I both pray that God will strengthen you, give you peace, and guide you down the path that is right for you.

We put this blog together so you can learn about who we are. We want you to know that we are a loving, committed couple with a strong Christian faith that really shapes every part of our life. We have so much love to give, and can't wait to share that love with our future children. We want to give them every opportunity in life to succeed. Every opportunity to grow up healthy and happy. They already hold a place in our hearts, and you do too.


With all the love we have,

Steve and Melissa

It all started here...

We met online in January of 2006. These were our profile photos:


The first thing Steve asked me was, "Is that glitter in your hair?" I quickly informed him I wasn't the glitter-in-the-hair type. Despite the weird glitter comment, I wanted to find out more about him. He was so cute in what I could see of his picture, and had a great smile--I'm a sucker for great smiles.


Steve picked me up on our first date in late February and wore a hoodie. Needless to say, I wondered if the kid owned anything besides hoodies! He didn't plan out our date either, but my puppy, Lulu, loved him the moment he walked in the door, and his smile was even better in person...so I figured I'd give him a chance.

We didn't get off to a great start on our first date, and we have debated the events of our early dating experience our entire relationship. Somehow, though, we clicked. Once we realized we loved each other, we knew we wanted to get married. We spent every waking moment together, and pretty much have ever since.

The First Day of the Rest of Our Lives...

We were married on a beautiful October morning in 2006. Fall is my very favorite season, so I was elated to be able to have a fall wedding. I was so worried because it rained every day that week, but the skies cleared up just for our day. (Well, that's why I think it stopped raining, anyway.) We spent five months planning our wedding, and the day could not have been more perfect.


STEVE IN MELISSA'S WORDS:

Meeting Steve really was the best thing that has ever happened to me. He is my very best friend, my soul mate, my everything. From the very beginning, everything has seemed easier with him around. We have been through so much together through the course of our relationship, but I know that together, we can make it through anything put in our path.

He fit right in with my family from day one, and although he wasn't able to meet my brother (Ryan passed away six months before I met Steve), I just know they would have been great friends. Once he met my cousins (who are all much younger than me), I think they forgot all about me! He has a way with children (and animals for that matter)--they are just drawn to him. I know he will be an amazing father, and I can't wait to see him with our child. I know he will teach our children well, and love them even better.

He is so good to me, and works his hardest to provide a good life for me. He knows all my flaws, and loves me despite them! One of the things I love the most about him is his sense of humor. He helps me see the silver lining in everything, and can make me laugh when I don't even feel like smiling. I really couldn't have asked for a better husband, and I love him with all my heart.


MELISSA IN STEVE'S WORDS:

Marrying Melissa has been the best decision I've ever made. She makes me happier than anything on earth. The first time I met her I felt so at ease. Her smile can light up any room & she has a unique way of always making people happy. She has the most caring heart of anyone I've ever met.

The 3 plus years that we have been married have met us with various challenges, but not once have we bickered over important decisions. Melissa is very understanding & compassionate, which makes our marriage fantastic. Melissa loves children & seeing her spend time with them has helped me know for certain that she will be a great mother. Her passion for helping others comes through when she has the chance to care for a child, as does her desire to make children happy.

I look forward to the future with Melissa & I know that no matter what comes our way she will be right there with me as we continue our journey. I love Melissa in ways that I can't even begin to describe. She accepts me for who I am & is willing to try & make our marriage better every day. She has brought more joy to my life than I could have ever hoped for. I couldn't imagine being with anyone else.

How We Chose Adoption...

I have four adopted cousins, so adoption is something that always felt completely natural to me. Before we were married, I had told Steve that adoption was very important, and that someday I wanted to adopt a child. I was surprised when he said he felt the same way. As we dreamed and talked about our future family, adopting "eventually" was always brought up. But, we figured it was one of those down-the-road things like having a bigger house or a newer car.

Not too long after we started trying to build a biological family, we realized this was not going to be an easy task for us. After nearly three years of pills, procedures, and pain, we decided enough was enough. Why continue on this way? Why not adopt right now? Our decision to adopt put us instantly at peace. It was like the light turned on at the end of the tunnel, and the path to finding our forever family was finally illuminated.