We are both educators– Hadley a school administrator and Charlie a high school history teacher. We are deeply committed to educating children in a manner that prioritizes both academic growth and also life skills such as respect, dignity for all, equity, and justice. We can instill these values in a child by having conversations both in and out of school.

As educators, we look forward to sharing summers and holidays with our child. We imagine fun and spontaneous summer trips to the zoo and ice cream store and holiday shopping trips for last minute present purchases.

By working on the same schedule as our child's school day, we will have a great lifestyle. We will drive our child to school and be home when they get home at the end of the day! Our chosen professions allow for lots of time together which means hours in the backyard playing catch, time helping with homework, and healthy, home-cooked meals.

We met at a conference, which just happened to be in Charlie's hometown. Charlie thought then, and continues to think now, that Hadley is a "pretty big deal." She captivates rooms with her speaking. Hadley always sees the best versions of people and what they can be. She is amazing with children, seeing them as unique individuals who learn and grow daily. She has an unbreakable moral spine, and sticks up for justice and fairness. She is also the funniest person he knows!

Hadley thinks that Charlie is a great listener. He takes pride in his work and sees value in the details. Charlie can do things with such ease; he can hit a baseball to the far outfield and win the game. He can lift the 90-pound dog in and out of the car. He can write a thank you card that will make the recipient cry. Most importantly, Charlie will always be able to surprise Hadley. He can make a quip that has the room laughing or make a small gesture that leaves her feeling loved. After seven years together, Hadley still gets butterflies when Charlie walks into the room.

Part of an adoptive child's journey will be discovering their rich cultural background, and how they see themselves as individuals and a member of broader society.

We believe that humans must recognize both the similarities and differences in the human experience that are shaped by our race, gender, culture and way of thinking. As such, we will do everything within our power to help the child discover their cultural identity.

As a family, we will celebrate shared and individual traditions, recognizing what makes us each unique and what unites us. We are excited to discover more about the child's background and to build traditions which combine the best elements or our respective personal and family histories.

As educators, we are grateful to interact with students and families from around the world. We know that people have different experiences based on their skin color, gender, and language. With this experience, we feel equipped to help a child uncover their own cultural identity and to have it celebrated as a family.

We live in a charming suburb outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in an older yet modernized house with lots of space for family and a yard for a kid and dog. We can walk to parks, ice cream stores, movie theaters, pizzerias, and a concert venue that hosts shows for children. We have no shortage of entertainment with a train station a block away that can take us into the city for a night at a restaurant or a day at the zoo.

The neighbors get together to grill and spend time together regularly. On Independence Day, the neighborhood fills up with families who come to view the local fireworks display and at Christmas, the local houses go over the top decorating for the holiday. Elementary aged students ride their bikes around the neighborhood and go to soccer practice at the park together or host sleepovers at each other's houses.

Our house was built in 1948 and has been fully renovated. It is light and airy with lots of light, three bedrooms and bathrooms, a finished basement for toys, and a large enough kitchen and dining room for hosting lots of events with friends and family. The yard is the perfect place to run around, build a fort, or play basketball on the driveway.

Hadley's mom is an important part of our family life. She is creative, fun, and humorous. Most importantly, she shares all the same beliefs of being a caring human being that we value. Although we live in different parts of the country, we visit Hadley's mom every six weeks for short stays or long vacations. We celebrate Christmas and major holidays together. Most recently, we traveled to Scotland and New England to go shopping, sightseeing, and hiking together.

Charlie's brother Alex is another incredibly important person in our lives. Alex lives close by in New York City, where Hadley and Charlie used to live before moving to Pennsylvania. We enjoy traveling with Alex too, recently going on a biking tour through Belgium and the Netherlands.

We have other members of our extended family including Charlie's grandmother, our cousins, and our cousins' kids. We make an effort to see all members of their extended family at least twice a year since they live throughout the continental United States.

We want to acknowledge that you may still be in the process of deciding whether adoption is the right path for you. We understand that you are on your own journey, and we want to assure you that we respect you and your decision-making process. Ultimately, we want to support you and provide information to help you make the choice that is right for both you and your child, whatever you decide.

Should you decide that we would be right as adoptive parents for your child, please know that we are truly thrilled at the possibility of adoption. We have always viewed adoption as a beautiful and joyous way to build our family. Throughout this experience, we believe that open and honest communication is essential for all of us. We hope to build a meaningful relationship with you over time and reflect your values and desires in the upbringing of the child. We are open to visits, phone calls, and texts, as well as sending you emails and pictures; we believe it is vital for the child to know their roots and the love that surrounds them.

When it comes to sharing your child's adoption story, we believe in honesty. We want your child to grow up knowing the incredible love and sacrifice that brought them into our lives. We will honor you as their birth parents and ensure that the child understands the deep love you have for them. Their adoption story will be celebrated, and we will provide a safe space for them to ask questions and explore their identity.

Looking towards the future, we want to assure you that your child will be welcomed into a home filled with love, laughter, and endless opportunities for growth. As parents, we envision providing the child with a nurturing environment that fosters their curiosity, encourages their dreams, and opens doors. Our goal is to create a life filled with love, stability, and endless possibilities. We will surround a child with love, laughter, and a nurturing home– hopefully, expanding our family with another child who will be a younger sibling.

As an introduction to us, we have been married since 2016, and in that time we have learned that the most important value of our family is spending quality time together, whether that means taking on an adventure by traveling to a new place or simply staying home together, cooking, sharing stories from our day, or watching a movie. Most recently, we attempted to learn pickleball. While we are far from any good, we have enjoyed getting to play in our backyard, having fun with each other as we learn. We are so excited for the chance to do the same with a child. We ultimately try to be good partners to one another, complementing each other's strengths with the goal of building a loving family.

Please know that we understand the significance of the role you play in the child's life, and we are committed to creating a relationship based on trust, respect, and understanding. If you choose us as the adoptive parents for your child, we look forward to building a connection with you and your family that will provide a strong support system for the child as they grow. We are here to listen, to learn, and to honor you through this process. We hope that by sharing our hearts and our dreams, you can see the love and commitment we have to offer.

Thank you for considering adoption for your child and for taking the time to read our letter. We understand the gravity of your decision and appreciate your trust in us. We wish you strength, clarity, and peace as you navigate this journey.

Sincerely,

Charlie & Hadley