We are Kent and Stefanie from California

Dear Expecting Mother:

Thank you for taking the time to read our letter. We couldn't possibly understand how difficult your decision must be, but appreciate the strength it takes - even to just sit down to read these words. Please know your time spent getting to know us is greatly appreciated, and if we get a chance to meet one day, we would love to spend time learning more about you.

Our names are Kent and Stefanie and we live in Southern California with our little dog Oreo (he's a ten-pound shih tzu/poodle). We met in 2013 through an online dating app and got married a couple of years later in Arizona. As we explored what a future family might look like for us, adoption was always in the conversation. Now that we're ready to start our family, its clear adoption is the right path to grow our family.

We both have very good friends who were adopted, and as we go through this journey, they've offered to provide a great deal of support and encouragement.

We absolutely adore children and simply can't wait to be parents. It's our dream to raise children together and to have a family. We're so grateful that with your help this can become a reality. Kent can't wait to be a Dad and he routinely teaches the other children in our neighborhood how to do tricks with a yo-yo, how to properly throw a frisbee, and how to build the ultimate smores dessert! Stefanie can't wait to be a mother either - and she's devoted most of her career to working with kids and teenagers. Stefanie is a trained dancer and taught dance to teenagers at a dance studio for more than 17 years! During those years, Stefanie served as a "dance mom" for dozens and dozens of pre-teen and teenagers.  As an adult, Stefanie still makes working with and for children a top priority.  In her spare time, she works on the board of a charity organization that raises money for a large local children's hospital.

We live in a beautiful community, just a few miles from the beach, surrounded by a nature preserve. It has walking trails, community gardens, numerous pools, parks and playgrounds, and even a campout area! We would be forever grateful for the opportunity to raise your child here. We would experience the neighborhood activities, like drive-in movies or the arcade, as a family. Additionally, the new K-8 school is just a short walk from our house. Both of our parents followed us to California and live about 20 minutes away. We are so excited for our home to be filled with love and frequent visits from grandparents.

As parents, we'll love taking your child on many adventures - to one of the many beaches that are close by, on bike rides, and to our favorite place of all -  Disneyland!  We are both annual pass holders and go to Disneyland as often as we can - and we simply can't wait to share our love of Disney with your child.

As a couple, we are caring, nurturing, but have a silly sense of humor and we don't take life too seriously. We are grateful for the many wonderful things life has to offer. Of course, the gift we would be most grateful for is the opportunity to raise your child. We will teach your child kindness, adventure, and integrity. We will love your child unconditionally and be fierce protectors of their heart. We promise to provide them with every opportunity to expand their learning and encourage them to give back to their community. We admire you and wish you continued strength.

Thank you for considering us for the tremendous opportunity to know and love your child.

With gratitude,
Stefanie and Kent