In our free time, we enjoy a variety of hobbies and activities that allow us to relax, have fun, and spend quality time together. Rachel enjoys crafting and making candles, which is a creative outlet she finds both relaxing and rewarding. Mark enjoys golfing and fishing and loves spending time outdoors whenever he can. Together, we enjoy gardening and taking walks with our dog, Sweets. It’s a simple way for us to unwind and enjoy being outside.

When the weather is cold or rainy, we like to switch things up by going bowling or visiting local arcades for a little friendly competition and fun. We also enjoy attending local sporting events, including college wrestling matches, soccer games, basketball games, and baseball games at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Watching live sports is always exciting and a great way to spend time together. We also love visiting the Oklahoma City Zoo and the Oklahoma Aquarium. Experiencing these places is always special, and we look forward to sharing these adventures with a child and creating lasting family memories together.

Our family dreams of growing together and building a forever bond filled with love, trust, and connection.

We look forward to creating meaningful traditions that will be cherished each year celebrating holidays, sharing family dinners, taking special trips, and enjoying everyday moments filled with laughter. We want our home to be a safe, warm place where a child feels valued, supported, and deeply loved. Our dream for this child is to experience the joy of simply being a child playing, exploring, learning, and feeling carefree. We will teach kindness, respect, honesty, and gratitude while leading by example.

We believe in guiding them through each stage of life with patience and encouragement, celebrating their successes and supporting them through challenges. Education is important to us, and we will provide every opportunity for them to learn and grow. Whatever their passions and goals may be, we will stand beside them. Above all, we want them to always know they are loved unconditionally and supported every step of the way.

Our favorite vacation spot is Wildwood, especially the peaceful beaches of Wildwood Crest. It’s a five-mile stretch of soft sand that feels welcoming and completely family-oriented and has become a place filled with special memories for us. The ocean is clean and inviting, with smaller waves and gentler currents than many other New Jersey beaches, making it perfect for relaxing, swimming, and playing along the shore. We also love spending time on the Wildwoods Boardwalk. The three-mile boardwalk feels like a state fair, lined with arcades, games, sweet treats, and excitement around every corner. There are three water parks and three amusement piers with rides for both children and adults, creating a joyful, energetic atmosphere. When we’re ready for quiet time, we head a few miles toward the bay to explore scenic walking trails, go crabbing, or enjoy peaceful fishing. It’s the perfect blend of fun, relaxation, and family connection.

Family plays a very important role in our lives. Although most of our family still lives in New Jersey, we remain very close. They come to visit us each year, and during the summer we travel back to New Jersey to spend time together and enjoy a family vacation at the beach. These trips are something we look forward to every year and always create wonderful memories. Grandparents are especially excited about our adoption journey, and to have the opportunity to spoil a new grandchild with love, hugs, and special traditions. When we are together, we enjoy simple moments like cooking meals, playing board games, and watching movies. Even when we are apart, we make an effort to stay connected by talking regularly, whether that’s daily or weekly. We also enjoy sharing recipes for new foods we’ve tried. During the holidays, we have a fun tradition of baking cookies and sending them to one another. Growing up, we made many special memories with our families. Summers at the beach, going crabbing and fishing, and spending time at parks, restaurants, bowling alleys, zoos, and aquariums were always highlights. Backyard barbecues were also a favorite way to gather and enjoy time together. Our families have always been incredibly supportive. Many relatives traveled hours, sometimes even to other states, to cheer Mark on at his soccer, hockey, and wrestling events. They also attended Rachel’s dance performances to show their love and encouragement. Their support and closeness mean so much to us.

We live in a quiet suburban neighborhood in a cozy two-story home with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. Our home has a welcoming living room, dining room, and kitchen where we spend much of our time together. The living room is one of our favorite places to relax. It’s where we watch movies, catch up on our favorite shows, play with our dog, read, and talk about our day.

Our dining room is another special space since we both love to cook, bake, and share meals together. It’s also where we enjoy playing board games, trying new crafts, and spending quality time together. Outside, we have a fenced-in backyard with a deck and a garden where we grow vegetables from spring through fall. In the front yard, we plant flowers that brighten the house each season.

Our neighborhood is very family-friendly. There is a splash park just down the road that fills with children during the summer, and another park about ten minutes away with walking paths and a playground. Our community also hosts weekly food trucks, games for kids, and seasonal events like decorating contests, making it a wonderful place for families to connect and children to make friends.

First and foremost, thank you. We cannot begin to imagine the strength, love, and courage it takes to consider adoption, and we hold deep respect for you and the thoughtful decision you are making. We hope that through this letter, you can get a glimpse of who we are and the kind of life we would be honored to share with your child.

We are Mark and Rachel, a married couple who have built our relationship on love, laughter, and unwavering support for one another. From the very beginning, we have shared a dream of becoming parents. While our path has not been what we originally expected, it has led us here with open hearts and a deep sense of gratitude for the possibility of growing our family through adoption.

Our home is filled with warmth, encouragement, and joy. We value kindness, curiosity, and creating meaningful moments together, whether that’s through simple daily routines or special traditions. We love spending time outdoors, cooking meals together, celebrating holidays with family, and finding little ways to make each day special. We are surrounded by a strong and supportive network of family and friends who are just as excited as we are to welcome a child into our lives.

Mark is patient, steady, and has a wonderful sense of humor that brings lightness into every situation. He loves building things, solving problems, and will be the kind of dad who shows up for every game, school event, or moment that matters. Rachel is nurturing, creative, and deeply compassionate. She finds joy in caring for others and creating a home where everyone feels safe, loved, and heard. Together, we balance each other in a way that makes our partnership strong and full of love.

If chosen to parent your child, we promise to provide a life filled with love, stability, and opportunity. Your child will always know how deeply they are loved - not only by us, but by you. We believe it is incredibly important for a child to understand their story, and we will honor your role in their life with honesty, respect, and gratitude. We are happy to stay in contact with you via pictures, letters, and video calls after the adoption. Your child’s identity and history will always be something we cherish and celebrate.

We will encourage your child to explore their interests, dream big, and grow into the person they are meant to be. We will be there to guide them, support them through challenges, and celebrate their successes big and small. Most importantly, we will provide a home where they feel safe being exactly who they are.

While we know this decision is not easy, we hope you can feel the sincerity of our hearts and the love we are ready to give. We are committed to providing a nurturing, stable, and joyful life, and we would be deeply honored to be part of your child’s story.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about us. We are holding you in our thoughts and wishing you strength, peace, and clarity as you move forward.

With heartfelt respect and gratitude,

Mark & Rachel