joe armin and
B
efore we begin, we want to start by saying thank you. We
cannot begin to think of the courage you have to embark on this journey, and so for that we thank you. We also want to say that whomever you choose, we believe they will be the best parents for your child. We firmly believe that the right child will find us, and so in turn we feel that way for all kids. Lastly, we wish you all the best on this path and everything your future holds. As for us, you’ll learn very quickly that we both are the
First Off, Thank You
perfect yin and yang for each other, all along our paths to this point in our lives. Armin always knew he wanted to be a dad (which he told Joe very early on), and Joe took a while to really think about what it means to be a parent and is now excited to be on this journey with Armin. Our thirteen years together (seven of which we have been married) have been an amazing ride that has tested both our relationship and us as individuals. We have grown as people, our professional lives have evolved and we have reached a new chapter on our path.
We hope the following pages give you a deep look into our lives and hopefully, if everything aligns, we will feel right for you.
Our home.
Getting to know us
Dinner in Puerto Rico. Goofing around.
O
ur favorite thing is spending
We also love traveling around the
We met on a blind date 13 years ago
time together and with the
world. We have traveled to places
and we’ve been married for 7 years. It
people we love. When at
like Mexico City for New Years Eve,
sounds cheesy, but we really did hit
home, we’re having fun. Sometimes,
Budapest to celebrate Armin’s mom’s
it off instantly and have never looked
that means reading or playing video
65th birthday and the Caribbean just
back. What’s funny is we think our
games. A lot of times it means
to get away. When we’re on vacation
friends knew we were going to be
cooking. Joe loves to cook Italian
we love to try new foods, relax, and
together forever before we did! To
food, and Armin has learned a lot of
learn things about the culture we’re
us, it all feels like a pretty special
incredible family recipes from his mom.
visiting. Other times our travels are as
adventure. We feel so lucky to have
For us, eating is really more about the
simple as a car ride to visit our families
each other, and we cannot wait to have
social aspect. We love having friends
or a day trip to go apple picking.
a child to share our lives and the things
over, cooking for each other and
Whenever we’re spending time
and people we love.
learning new recipes.
together, we are happy.
A
bout 10 years ago, Armin decided he wanted to run a marathon. At the
time, he couldn’t even run around the block without taking a break. But guess what? After 4 months of long, cold, slushy runs all through
say hi to armin
the winter, he finished his first Boston Marathon. Right now he’s training for marathon number six! I like that story because it shows how committed and passionate Armin is about everything he does. It’s one of the things I love most about him. Working at an advertising agency, Armin isn’t content to just do his job; he gives it his all, and he makes sure his all is as close to perfect as he can make it. When I decided I wanted to go back to school to get my PhD, it was always Armin who’d cheer me on and remind me it was so worth keeping up the hard work, even when it seemed to both of us like maybe we’d bitten off more than we could chew. When his mom turned 60, Armin didn’t just send her a gift, he and his sister took her on a cruise. He even likes to tell me he’s the funnier person in our relationship. I’m not sure this true, but it’s another example of how he’s always trying to be his very best. Those examples show you some other things about who Armin is, too. Sure, he likes to run. But more important, he’s the most generous person I know. He dreams big and he works hard. He makes me laugh all the time. And he loves his family like crazy.
Armin always chooses the pool over the beach! Another race done.
And Armin not working. Relaxing & reading at the beach.
Armin working.
armin’s favorites
1
tv show
modern family
2
3
4
book
(not so) guilty pleasure
childhood memory
the princess bride
chocolate ;-)
my first track meet
meet my husband joe
T
he most important thing to
child but mostly stopped after college.
(which is what he wants to be called; we
know about Joe is that I’m the
He also inspires me to be a kind and
think I’ll be “Dad”). He’s really such a
funnier one. Seriously though,
considerate person. He is constantly
down to earth, caring person who really
he’s made me a better person just by
helping out our friends, he’s a great
wants to just make everyone’s day a
“being Joe.” I look back at how much
person to talk to for his sister, and he is
little better. Whenever I have a bad
I’ve changed over the last 13 years and it
so supportive of me and my goals.
day at work, after I’m done complaining
makes me realize how great of a dad he
he always asks me “What good thing
is going to be. Joe reconnected me back
It’s these traits in him that I fell in love
happened today?” He is always trying to
to reading again, something I loved as a
with but also the same ones that I think
make everything just a little bit better.
are going to make him a great Papa
joe’s favorites 1
tv show
modern family
2 Joe being silly.
book
harry potter
4
childhood memory swimming
3
(not so) guilty pleasure
cheering on armin at a race
Making friends at the Aquarium.
Us at the World Series.
Joe graduating.
A park near our home. Joe cooking.
Our home.
Home
W
is where our
Hearts
are
e live in downtown
many playgrounds that are near are
friends over, so having one big kitchen,
Boston, in an old
always full of children. We also live
dining room and living room, in one
brownstone house. We
right nearby a really great library for
space, makes it the perfect place.
love where we live because we are
kids and the elementary school near us
Right now, Armin’s office is attached
close to so many of our friends, have
is just two blocks away.
to our bedroom but we’re planning
great neighbors and we both get to walk to work. Our neighborhood in Boston is very popular right now with younger couples with kids, so the
Our favorite part of our apartment is the open kitchen. As you can probably tell, we love eating and we love having
on turning it into the nursery. That way, the extra bedroom can be for our moms and sisters when they visit!
W
e call this section our “Work Passions”
because we are both truly blessed in that we both truly love our jobs. When Armin was a little kid, he always loved the TV commercials… he used to go to the bathroom during the shows! After college he was very lucky in that he got a job at a growing advertising agency and worked there for 10 years. Now in advertising for over 15 years, he still gets excited when he sees one of his commercials on TV or an ad in a magazine. Joe used to work in public relations but after a trip to London, we realized his passion for history was too great to ignore. So he went back to school to get his degree in
Easter dinner. Outside the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Spain.
British history and is now a professor. He is an awesome mentor to his students and
5 memorable vacations
we’ve taken
when one specific student was going through a personal rough patch, Joe played a big part in getting her the help on campus that she needed.
On our honeymoon in Rome.
Italy and Spain for our honeymoon Rio Paris The Yucatan Moscow
More sunscreen next time!
Joe and our newest friend Jackson.
Armin with his sister and nephew.
Us with our sisters on our wedding day.
I
Armin with nephew Gray.
On vacation with Armin’s family.
have had the distinct
over heels in love. It has
for me over the past few
the luckiest babies. It will
honor of knowing my
been a pleasure watching
years, as I have searched
be coming into a loving
brother and his husband
them grow as individuals
to pave my own way in life.
household that is warm and
over the entirety of their
and as a strong and beautiful
They are always there to
kind and overflowing with
13 year relationship. As a
couple. During the time
lend their support, advice,
love and laughter. This child
couple, Joe and Armin are
they have spent together, I
love, and moral guidance in
will be lucky to be able to call
kind, considerate, generous,
have watched each of them
any circumstance. When
my brother and brother-in-
and supportive of one
support one another as they
the boys told me they were
law parents.
another. They hold family
each have achieved their
going to adopt a baby, my
and friendship in the highest
wildest dreams. The two
heart swelled. The baby
With all the love in my heart,
esteem. They are also head
have become role models
they receive will be one of
Beth, The Proudest Auntie to Be
meet our loved ones
W
e think our family is made up of people we’re related to and people we’ve been
lucky enough to know and love in our life. First of all, we’re both big brothers to younger sisters that we adore. Armin grew up in New York and his family still lives in and around New York City. When we get together with them, that means we have lots of time to play with Armin’s two nephews – Armin often gets out of bed first so he can be ready when the kids wake up – they get to play and Armin’s sister sleeps in late. Joe grew up in New Hampshire. One of his family’s traditions is that his mom hosts a big family dinner every Christmas Eve for his whole family, aunts and uncles, and cousins… it’s one of Joe’s favorite days of the year. Our family is also made of the people we love nearby. They’re a huge part of the lives we’ve created for ourselves as adults. Even though we live in a city, we feel lucky that some of our closest friends live just a short walk away. Sometimes we just invite them over to watch TV. We often get to babysit their kids. And we always get together to celebrate each others’ birthdays. Whether we’re related or not, we consider all these people family and we really think we’re the luckiest people ever to have them in our lives.
A
With Armin’s nephew at the pumpkin patch.
s Armin’s sister, and
ran from their little sisters,
call my brother. I’ve watched
to connect and play with
a mother of two, I
Armin always looked out
them build an incredible life
them, and calmly guide
see why Armin and
for me. He spent his weekly
together, filled with love,
them through challenging
Joe will make extraordinary
allowance on me, cooked me
unconditional support and so
moments. In this brave time
parents. They are natural born
meals after school, and always
much laughter.
of yours, please know that
nurturers. It’s in their blood
stood up for me. He’s been
to put their loved ones first,
that way since childhood
My two boys couldn’t be
can’t wait to welcome a
which is why their families
and will be that parent for a
luckier when it comes to
baby cousin into our
and wide community of
lifetime. In Joe, Armin found
their uncles. Armin and Joe
close-knit family.
friends adore them. When we
the single most kind man I’ve
so effortlessly love them.
were young, while other boys
ever met and now proudly
They instinctively know how
all of us, especially my boys,
With love, Marji
thank you for reading about us.
T
hank you for reading about us. As we’re going through our own adoption
If you have any questions for
journey, we never forget that you’re doing the exact same thing. We promise
us, or would like to speak to
that we will raise this child in a home full to the brim with love and with
us about adopting your child
laughter. We promise to nurture this child to be the very best version of whatever is
please contact your AdoptHelp
inside them. We promise that your story will always be part of this child’s life. We will
case worker toll-free at
always be grateful to you for being part of the story of our family.
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Sincerely,
Joe and Armin