Adoption is a gift that is priceless to a couple that can't imagine life without family. We tried two years of fertility treatments with one successful attempt that did not end well. Our hearts were broken, but we understood that there was a bigger plan in the works for us. Our desire to become parents became even stronger through all the heartache. We knew we had to be patient, but that wasn’t always easy. Going to the different doctor’s offices three or four times a week started wearing on the both of us, emotionally, physically and financially. We knew that going down this road was not how we wanted to continue trying to build our family. Having multiple immediate family members that were adopted we knew that it was the direction that was meant for us to go. Seeing the love and bond between adoptive family members makes us know that our family unit will someday be completed through adoption. Our faith in starting our family never wavered but the road to get there was just a different path .

Mike is 38 years old. He was born in the Bronx, NY, but raised on Long Island. I have been teaching at a public school for
13 years. I also coach Middle School Football and Lacrosse at
the school where I teach. I grew up in a household with 5 brothers and 1 sister. The tight knit relationship with his family is something that I always knew I wanted for my own family. There were many laughs and a few bruises along the way, but my family is my life and my siblings are my best friends.
From playing basketball to going to the gym with my brothers, sister and I were taught at an early age that we always could count on each other. Having a large family to support us in our journey means that our child will be filled with many Aunties, Uncles, tons of cousins and most importantly unconditional love,

Education and sports were two things that always kept me focused in life. Without football I would be lost. It is not only a hobby, but a passion to play and teach others the game. I am a Chicago Bears fan and it makes for interesting conversations since my entire family are New York Jets fans. Family is everything to me.

Christine is 32 years old. I was born in Brooklyn, but raised on Long Island. I work as a Community Educator for a Non-Profit organization on Long Island for the past 9 years. I have one younger brother and parents that live 5 minutes away. My family is my heart and I would do anything for them. I have always been very close to my mother. To this day she is my best friend. She is person I turn to whenever I need someone to talk to. My mother is the example of what it means to be a truly devoted parent and role model for a young woman. Family traditions like having Sunday dinner and making certain foods on the holidays is something I look forward to, and I hope to share those traditions and values with my own children one day. My parents instilled in me that anything was possible if you want it bad enough. So that is why I know that my time will come and I will be a mother.

My job as a community educator means the world to me. I have learned so much about children and a child's development from my mentors and colleagues. My favorite part of my career is working with children. The most rewarding experience of my life has been helping children in need. The look of gratitude on there faces make me proud to know I am making a difference in a child's life. I use art therapy techniques when counseling children. Arts and craft projects are one of my favorite things to do in my share time, so I feel blessed to do something I love everyday.

We live in a quite Long Island Suburb. We are surrounded by parks, playgrounds, beaches and amazing local restaurants. Our home is a tan Colonial style house with hunter green shutters and a brown picket fence. We have a corner fenced in lot that sits on .25 acres of land. It is the first home we lived in and purchased as husband and wife. We have three bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. Our home is filled family photos and paintings Christine has created. We love to work in the yard and work on home improvement projects our house. It is filled with warm colors and modern accent touches. We are an average working class family that works hard for everything that we own. We don't have a need fancy furniture, paintings or rooms that are for show, just comfortable, fun and sentimental things that make it our HOME