Mike & Tessa
Dear Birth Parents,
We admire your courage and strength as you make an adoption plan for your child. We are on a journey seeking an open adoption so that we can share in realizing the hopes and dreams that you have for your child. In our home, filled with love and warmth, we are committed to nurture, to provide unconditional love and to provide a lifetime of family fun and experiences that will help your child grow into a wonderful adult.
We want you to be proud of your child, proud of us, and confident in yourself for making tough choices during a challenging time in your life. We hope this letter will give you insight into who we are and we hope you will grant us the opportunity to give our lives to your child.
Sincerely,
Mike and Tessa
About Us
Fifteen years ago we were introduced by mutual friends and dated for just over a year before Mike got down on one knee and proposed—on Valentine’s Day. Of course, I said YES! Who could say NO to a man as amazing as Mike? We married in September 1998. Even though we were planning for a cool autumn day, it turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year. We have been happily married ever since. Our marriage is based on honesty, trust and a deep commitment to support each other through all of life’s challenges. Our relationship continues to grow stronger with each passing year and the support we have for each other is evident in the choices we make and the dreams we have for welcoming a child into our home.
Our marriage and our life together have been shaped by our love of traveling. We’ve watched the sunset from a beautiful vantage point in Greece. We’ve cruised to many of the Caribbean islands, hiked in Sedona, visited the Grand Canyon and have even seen a rupturing volcano in Hawaii! We have many new adventures we hope to go on in the future—most certainly with a child. I look forward to the day when we can introduce our little one to the people and places of the world.
Our current family consists of Mike & I and our wonderful cats and dogs. We spend a lot of time outdoors—frequent walks, playing tug and throwing the Frisbee are common pastimes. We also enjoy hiking, bird and nature watching and just relaxing at the beach. Most of our extended family is local, or within a short driving distance, so we have a great network of loved ones with whom we share our time.
Mike and I are looking forward to reading books at bedtime, enjoying nursery rhymes, playing on playgrounds, music lessons, swimming lessons and so much more.
Meet Tessa
Even though I grew up as an only child, I was never alone. My family always impressed upon me the importance of maintaining family traditions with relatives near and far. Sunday dinners and shared holiday times are a constant in our home. The memories I have from these special times carries into how I plan to raise my family. One tradition I can’t wait to continue is a special Thanksgiving dinner event. Each child receives an ornament to put on the Christmas tree that year. It is such a unique and special experience to look at our Christmas tree and see the years, generations, and memories unfold as we celebrate the holidays.
I was blessed to be raised by three wonderful parents. At a young age, my parents divorced and my mother remarried. I now have three brothers and a sister! The oldest is a sophomore in college and I have been an intimate part of their lives all along the way. My mother still works as a Secretary/Library Assistant at a local elementary school and my stepfather works for the U.S. Navy. The experience growing up in a blended family will definitely give me guidance as Mike & I look to add a new addition to our family.
Unfortunately, my father passed away 10 years ago. He was an amazing person and loved life. His two sisters are two of my closest friends and mentors. Their senses of humor, just like my father’s, keep me grounded and remind me not to take life TOO seriously.
My passion has always been in the field of veterinary medicine. I am a Licensed Veterinary Technician and have worked for the same specialty practice for the past eight years. I currently manage the Oncology department within this practice. Three years ago, I achieved a major success in my field by becoming specialized in anesthesia. I have a flexible work schedule, which will enable me to welcome a child into our home with ease.
Through Mike’s eyes:
Tessa is a loving wife and friend. She enjoys quilting, spending time with friends and family, photography, animals, hiking, and traveling. Over the last few years as our friends have had children, it has become obvious to me the amount of love she has for a child. Tessa was blessed to be raised by three wonderful parents. She is eager to continue family traditions and making new ones with a child of our own.
Tessa is resilient. Each challenge in her life continues to make her a stronger person. My wife is a caring, patient, kind, and nurturing woman who will make an excellent mother.
Meet Mike
I grew up in a small, rural town. There, I learned the importance of family, faith, and education. Growing up, my family enjoyed picnicking, camping, and just enjoying the mountains and the outdoors whenever possible.
As the youngest of three (I have one brother and one sister) we all enjoy getting together and celebrating birthdays, holidays and special times as a family. My parents and sister still live near the hometown we grew up in. My father is currently the minister in the church we attended during my childhood.
After graduating from high school, I entered college. I studied hard and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. I have been fortunate enough to work in my field of study and have had a successful career. I currently work as an engineering manager for a major company and can’t complain about my 10 minute commute. My company has great benefits including a flexible work schedule, which I know will be valuable as Tessa and I begin to raise our family.
I enjoy and appreciate the great outdoors. In my free time, I can often be found hiking, biking, kayaking, golfing, and skiing. We live in an area of the country where you can easily reach either the mountains or the ocean within a short drive and we take full advantage of this.
To celebrate my joy of the outdoors, Tessa and I make a point to always visit National Parks during our travels. I have an extensive collection of National Parks patches. I look forward to passing on my love and respect of the outdoors to our child.
Through Tessa’s eyes:
One of the best qualities about Mike is his compassionate nature. I know he will be a great father! He has an approachable quality to him that children are drawn to. No matter where we go, Mike has an easy time making friends with the younger set. I often find them giving him silly nicknames or offering him toys to play with. Mike is gentle, kind, and treats others with the utmost care and respect. Children have great instincts when it comes to adults and, based on my observation, I know that he definitely has great “dad” qualities.
As the foundation of our family, I know that the values Mike displays in all of his interactions will set the stage for wonderful journey as a father. Mike is so excited to share our love for traveling with our child and plans to show them the natural wonders of this world.
Meet the rest of our precious family: Guenevere, Abby, Merlot, and Lacey
Our life together is not complete without the wonderful pets that that bring us so much joy. These pets are as much a part of the family as Mike and I are. We have experienced the bliss of receiving a new pet. And sadly, we have also experienced the sorrow of losing a cherished family pet. Currently, our home is brought to life by two dogs and two cats and we love being “parents” to them.
Having pets is no small responsibility. There are always mishaps, illness, allergies, and we’ve even experienced battling cancer with a beloved pet. The unconditional love that pets display is truly a testament to why we have always felt animals were an important part of our lives.
Our philosophy of living by love and forgiving all else is perfectly matched by the love we give and receive with our pets that we call family. We carry this philosophy to how we work within our marriage and in our relationships with others. We will always have pets in our lives to remind us of this important lesson. A lesson we will pass on to our child.
Meet our Families
Large and close-knit is the best way to describe Tessa’s family. Tessa’s sister and three brothers, all under the age of 19 years old, are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a child so they can be the best aunt and uncles possible. Tessa’s mom and stepfather are excited to have a grandchild in their lives.
Even though Tessa’s father is no longer with us, her father’s side of the family is large with many children. They look forward to embracing a new addition into the family tree.
Mike’s older brother and sister have children of their own. Mike’s parents are delighted to be able to share their love with another grandchild.
Mike and I have learned many things from the values instilled in us by our families. Most importantly, we believe in teaching our child the wonders of learning, the value of family, and the importance of kindness and respect.
We believe in playing hard, working hard, and, above all, to have a light heart, on open mind, and a ready smile.
Where We Live
We get to enjoy all four seasons in the region where we live. Our home sits in a large, family-oriented community. Children, playgrounds, and easy access to the city are just some of the great amenities close by.
We are blessed to be able to own a vacation home that sits on a gorgeous island. The weather there is always perfect and whether you want to hike to a dormant volcano or build a sandcastle on the beach, it’s all there to enjoy. The community is quiet and cozy and our back yard is the ocean.
Our Hope
We hope you find comfort in the knowledge that the life growing inside you will be loved and cherished. May God bless you and give you strength.
Without brave people like you, Mike and I would not even have a chance to love a child of our own. We are ever so grateful for the chance you are giving us.