Laura, Dean & Melanie

We can be reached at Friends in Adoption: 1-800-844-3630

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Thank you for taking the time to look over our profile as you consider an adoption plan.We hope this helps you see what life would be like in our family. At this difficult time, we hope to show you there’s a family ready, willing and able to provide all the best for your child.We have very strong personal experiences with adoption, and are thrilled with our own decision to build our family through adoption.We have such love and nurturance to commit to a child. As you’ll see in this profile, we will help your child grow and flourish in an environment that is compassionate and understanding of adoption. Please know we respect your decision to consider adoption, and that your child will always know the love, care and understanding behind that decision.

After reviewing our profile, please call us toll-free at any time.We would love to talk to you.

About Us

We met each other several years ago, and have felt connected ever since. We were married after three years of dating. From our first date, we have developed a strong, loving bond that has helped us build a marriage full of excitement, commitment, loyalty and love.We are each other’s best friend, soul mate and forever love.

Melanie playing the piano with Grandma and Grandpa

We were blessed with Melanie on September 26th, 2006. She is a happy, loving little girl, full of energy and curiosity. She is very affectionate, and loves playing with other little boys and girls. She’ll be a great big sister some day.

Biking in Martha’s Vineyard.

Mr. Fix-it!

We have so much fun together.

Our friends tell us we still seem like we’re on our honeymoon.We enjoy each other’s company, whether we’re taking a day trip to Cape May or Long Island, running errands, grocery shopping or hanging out at home watching a movie. And since Melanie joined our family, our excursions and our time together have become even more special and fun.We've taken her on day trips to the zoo to see the animals and to the park for picnics.

Laura works part-time as a Nutritionist for a weight management program at a local hospital. Dean is a doctor, with a private practice in Internal Medicine. His office is close to home, making for an easy commute. And we both make our own schedules, ensuring that we have plenty of time for each other and for our daughter.We are both very involved parents.

On the days we both work,Melanie stays with a wonderful sitter. She is a friend of the family; our families have been close for decades. She keeps very involved with Melanie, reading her books, entertaining her with games and toys, and walking her about the neighborhood on nice days.Melanie is the only child she watches, and we couldn't be more confident in her dedication to our child; she embraces the idea of helping care for another child of ours a few hours each week while we work.

Horseback riding in Antigua.

Melanie had such fun at music class

Goofing around in St. Maarten.

Quality time in Newport, Rhode Island.

Having fun at the local zoo

Our commitment to family is a huge piece of who we are.

We spend most of our spare time with our families first and foremost.Most of our family members live nearby, making visiting easy. Even those who live elsewhere are within a one-hour drive. This helps us stay close to all our family members. All in all, we spend some time every weekend with some members of our families.Melanie enjoys close relationships with her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

“Our parents are very close. They call each other often.” –Laura

“Laura has a big, loving family.” –Dean

Laura’s family.

Laura is the youngest of five close sisters, and has eight nieces and nephews.We often visit her sisters and their families, as well as her parents.We enjoy board games and basketball with our younger nieces and nephews.We also have them over for weekend visits.We have family dinners and nights for movies, dancing and sleep-overs.We color eggs for Easter, make gingerbread houses at Christmastime, and bake pumpkin- and ghost-shaped cupcakes for Halloween. Laura's annual Easter Egg Hunt is particularly fun; she hides presents in plastic eggs for all the children to find.

Melanie loves her grandparents.

Dean with his parents.

“Here we are pumpkin picking in the fall.” –Laura

Celebrating graduation with her cousins.

We spend most of our spare time with our families.

Having been adopted himself, Dean can certainly appreciate the value of adoption in the creation of a family. Dean was adopted as an infant, and was smothered with affection by his family. In fact, his grandmother once called Dean her “favorite grandchild.”We see Dean’s parents every other weekend, either at their house or ours. On Christmas Day, we get together with them and with Dean’s cousins for a special holiday dinner; we exchange gifts and revel in each other’s company. We also get together with Dean’s cousin and his family for Fourth of July barbecues.

Our four parents get along well. They call one another regularly and visit when they can. They have embraced Melanie, and look forward to loving another grandchild. Our families have such great traditions to share.

Melanie loves playing with our friends' children.

“Eating ices and cookies with older nephews and niece. They’re like friends to us.” –Dean

“Easter morning is always fun. We make pancakes shaped like the Easter Bunny and letters of the alphabet.” –Laura

Our Friends

We have plenty of friends who live nearby, most of whom have young children of their own.When we visit, their children steal us away to play games or show us their new toys. When we have them over our house, we always tell them to bring their children; they come over and play games, watch television and play in the yard. Sometimes we’ll babysit so our friends can run errands together, and we have a great time with their children all by ourselves making up games or watching movies.Melanie has joined the bunch seamlessly; she enjoys play dates with our friends’ children during which they play with dolls, run around and put together puzzles.

Our thoughts on parenting

We both grew up in wonderful families. As children, we both spent lots of time with our parents, whether traveling, watching movies, perusing museums or running errands. Our parents always included us in their daily activities, whatever they were doing.We were given the freedom to blossom as individuals while under the guidance of strong, secure parental influences.We were granted the ability to pursue our own goals and dreams while maintaining our family ties. Our parents’ long-standing marriages serve as prime examples of the value of togetherness and family – Laura’s parents have been married over fifty-five years and Dean’s nearly forty-five. Because of our upbringing, as adults we possess high moral, ethical and spiritual values.We recognize the importance of loyalty to each other and devotion to our families.We appreciate the time our parents spent with us and we cherish our relationships with them now.

By this example, we have proceeded into parenthood.We will encourage our children to experience all of life – academically, socially and spiritually – within a solid, secure family foundation. Our schedules allow us both to be very available parents, and we plan to involve ourselves in the lives of our children as our parents so thoroughly involved themselves in ours.We have so much energy and love to devote, that we will ensure our children very happy family lives. Our children will grow to know the importance of family, friends, loyalty, morality, education and fun. Our children will also understand the brave decision you made in choosing adoption.

We first contacted Friends in Adoption not because we wanted to have a child, but because we wanted to adopt a child. Even when we were first married, we spoke about adopting a child as part of our family planning.When we found out that we were blessed withMelanie, we placed our adoption plans on hold so that we could prepare for her arrival, and so we could raise her properly during her early months. Now that she's a bit older, we are ready to resume our dream of adopting a child.

Our Home

We have been living in our current home for six years.We have plenty of space both inside and out, including a fenced-in backyard with plenty of grass for a child to play freely and safely.We enjoy having friends and family over for both casual visits and special occasions. But we also enjoy quiet days and nights together reading books, watching television, exercising, attending church or simply relaxing together at home.

We live in a wonderful place to raise a child. There are many parks here, all with playgrounds, and one with a new merry-goround. The schools in our neighborhood exceed the state averages for student grades in English andMath. Also, we have ready access toManhattan, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.We’ll often take day trips to one of the several Victorian-type communities within driving distance from us, such as CapeMay, New Jersey or New Hope, Pennsylvania.We’ll spend the day walking through the town, shopping, admiring the homes, having a relaxing lunch, and visiting museums and historical sites. On occasion, we’ll travel intoManhattan to walk around Central Park, attend a Broadway show, or take in special events like the Thanksgiving Day Parade or the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony.We take our young nieces there for the day sometimes; they love the Central Park Zoo, FAO Schwartz and the AmericanMuseum of Natural History. SinceMelanie joined our family, we have taken her to explore the children's museum, to shop at the farmer's market and to see Santa Claus at ABC Carpet and Home.

“Laura enjoys taking our nieces to see the Christmas decorations each winter. ”–Dean

“This is Dean with our nieces at the Central Park Zoo. He loves taking our nieces places.” –Laura

Thank you very much for getting to know a little about us.

Considering an adoption plan for your child is a powerful, courageous, and compassionate thing to do. You can trust that your child will have a comfortable, secure, enjoyable life with us.We will tell your child how special you are, and we will stay connected with you through letters and photographs.Most importantly, your child will be raised in a family that has a true understanding of, and admiration and respect for, the adoption process – for the joys it can bring to a family, for the questions your child may have as he or she grows older, and for the opportunities it can open for your child. Again, please call us at any time.We would love to answer any questions you may have about us, and would welcome discussing adoption with you further.

Best Wishes,

Laura, Dean & Melanie

We can be reached at Friends in Adoption toll-free at 1-800-844-3630