Chris and Lucas

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there f .r. . . o. . . m ...

chris + lucas

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“Placing a child for adoption is an act of love, something that

we will emphasize to

our child throughout his life.”

FAVORITE SENTIMENTAL CHILDHOOD KEEPSAKE LUCAS: Snoozy the Teddy Bear CHRIS: Star Wars Action Figures

FAVORITE DISNEY MOVIE LUCAS: Toy Story CHRIS: Up

FAVORITE FOOD LUCAS: Tacos CHRIS: Pizza

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD ACTIVITY LUCAS: Writing to Pen Pals CHRIS: Playing Basketball

FAVORITE HOBBY LUCAS: Planning Vacations CHRIS: Designing Terrariums

FAVORITE MUSICAL GROUP

Outside our home

LUCAS: B’52s CHRIS: Alison Krauss & Union Station

FAVORITE SNACK LUCAS: Popcorn CHRIS: Chips and Salsa

FAVORITE CHILDREN’S TV SHOW LUCAS: Scooby-Doo CHRIS: Muppets

FAVORITE ANIMAL LUCAS: Great White Shark CHRIS: Sea Turtle

FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR

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LUCAS: Spring CHRIS: Fall

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s- o m e o f o u r favorites

Our wedding day with Lucas’ Aunt

-Dea r-

Birth mother

We’re excited to welcome a new member into our family!

>Hello!

We are Lucas and Chris, two prospective dads living in Washington, DC. We are thrilled to be adopting an infant and growing our family. At the same time, we are keenly aware that you are making what is probably the most difficult decision of your life. Placing a child for adoption is an act of love, something that we will emphasize to our child throughout his life. Your child will grow up knowing that his birthmother and adoptive parents cared for him even before he was born.

We met in Washington, DC in 2008 and became a committed couple shortly thereafter. We married in 2012. Our marriage is cemented by shared values, open communication, and deep love and respect for each other.

Lucas has the best smile in the world. It’s the best because, behind his smile, is a big heart and a kind, patient spirit. Lucas makes everyone feel at home and comfortable. It never fails that, when we’re out and about, people walk up to him and ask him to snap a photo of them. His kind soul is obvious to even strangers. Before meeting Lucas, I had never met anyone that sponsored children internationally, much less six children on multiple continents. Over the years, I’ve come to understand how important it is for Lucas to not just think about those less fortunate than himself, but to actually do something about it.

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He has changed the lives of the children he sponsors, and his giving nature is one of the things I love most about him.

Lucas embraces his role as uncle to our nephews Trey and Ty, and he planned a wonderful trip to Walt

about

lucas

Disney World for the four of us two years ago. He loves playing games

by chris

with them. One of our favorite activities is taking our nephews to the bookstore, encouraging their love of reading and

With my mom and brother in Vegas

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exploring the wider world.

Lucas adds the color to our life together, cooking wonderful meals, planning amazing trips, and always making me laugh. He lives his life with integrity, and just knowing and loving him has made me a better person. The thought of raising a child together is so

wonderful because I can’t think of a better person to be an amazing dad than Lucas!

Lucas is originally from San Diego. He grew up in a close, working class family surrounded by the love of his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and three younger brothers. Lucas was a studious child and usually spent his free time reading, writing to pen pals around the world, and following global events. During high school, Lucas was a member of the debate club, tutored illiterate adults, and worked at a supermarket. A straight A student, Lucas attended Yale on a generous financial aid package, where he majored in history. Afterwards, Lucas moved to Washington, DC where he began a career in human resources. He has since earned a Master of Public Administration from American University and is a human resources executive for a nonprofit social service agency. Lucas’ hobbies and interests include travel, all things Disney, cooking, reading, history, and classic films.

For many years, Lucas has sponsored six children around the world through an international aid organization. He has been fortunate to meet four of his sponsored children during visits to India and Guatemala. Adoption is nothing new for Lucas’ family; his father and maternal

grandfather were adopted. Lucas’ family is extremely excited to welcome a new child, and he and Chris have their full support.

Disney friend

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Chris and I met online and met for coffee. By the end of the night, I knew that I had met someone very special.

meet

chris by lucas 1

Chris is the most intelligent person I know. He loves to discuss ideas and shares my enthusiasm for learning and reading. We have spent many nights together in front of the fireplace reading books or talking about subjects ranging from our careers to politics to science.

Chris is outgoing and very much a people person. When we moved into our new townhome community, Chris took the initiative to organize a game night so that our neighbors would have an opportunity to get to know each other. Chris cares about the people in his life and always has time for them, day or night. I feel very lucky to have Chris by my side

In Guatamala

through life’s journey, and I am certain that he will be an excellent father.

Chris grew up in a small town in Kentucky. Chris and his younger sister spent their childhoods playing in the neighborhood, swimming at the local YMCA, and reading at the local library. Chris especially loved basketball and martial arts growing up. In high school, Chris played the trombone, edited the school newspaper, and acted in all school plays.

He was a straight A student, voted “Most Likely To Succeed,” and class valedictorian.

Swearing in

Chris attended Centre College, where he majored in Government, wrote for the school newspaper, and worked two jobs to help put himself through school. After college, he went to law school at the University of Kentucky. After graduating, he worked as an attorney for two federal agencies.

His career has taken him from Kentucky, to Ohio, to Florida, and to Washington, DC, where he met Lucas in 2008. In 2011, he was appointed a federal judge. Chris’

hobbies include weightlifting, reading, travel, cheering on the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team, and doting on his nephews Trey and Ty. His hero is President Theodore Roosevelt, and he enjoys reading biographies about him.

Relaxing in

Key West

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ith my parent

ceremony w

We live in a newly built, four-story townhome in a diverse neighborhood in Washington, DC. We love our home and take pride in its upkeep. It is a smoke-free home.

Our child will have his own bedroom with a private 1 bathroom. The room receives abundant natural light and overlooks a beautiful courtyard. All types of families live in our neighborhood, and several of our neighbors have either adopted children or are in the process of adopting.

our home

life

Despite our significant professional responsibilities, both of us are able to maintain an excellent work/life balance.

Lucas generally works 37 hours a week and is home in time to cook dinner. Chris works 40 hours per week and has the opportunity to telecommute part-time.

Our lovely neighborhood

Our evenings are generally quiet, and spent relaxing at home. We are very excited to share our home and wonderful neighborhood with our child. Just steps from our front door is a beautiful neighborhood park, and we are already planning wonderful rounds of hide-and-seek, ballgames, and picnics in the park with him. At home, his room will be full of colorful books we read together as a family, as well as toys, games, and art supplies to fuel his imagination. We love where we live, and we know he will too.

Washington is a true international city with abundant cultural and recreational opportunities, and we pledged long ago not to take the city for granted. Within ten minutes of our home are the U.S. Capitol, National Mall, museums, shops, restaurants, several parks, and worldclass medical centers, including the renowned National Children’s Hospital. We enjoy visiting the Smithsonian museums to see exhibits and attend lectures. Every year, we attend plays and concerts at the Kennedy Center and other performing arts venues. We look forward to sharing Washington’s cultural attractions with our child and are already anticipating family activities such as Boo-at-the-Zoo, the White House Easter Egg Roll, and Smithsonian day camps.

traditions

Exploring Guatamala

While every season brings a sense of fun and tradition, our favorite season is Christmas.

The day after Thanksgiving, we decorate both the inside and outside of our home. The centerpiece of our Christmas décor is our “dueling” Christmas trees. Chris decorates his tree with Star Wars ornaments that he has collected since childhood, while Lucas’ tree is strictly Disney-themed. Our trees have become well known in the neighborhood, and, throughout the season, family and friends stop

Chris & his sister in Hawaii

by to see them. We look forward to adding a third Christmas tree to our home, with a theme selected by our adopted child.

Another tradition in our home is vacation time.

We usually take two big vacations a year, in addition to several weekend trips. Lucas is the vacation planner for the family, and he has planned many wonderful trips. Walt Disney World is a favorite destination, and we have gone at least once a year since we met. Other travel adventures have included Guatemala, Peru, Sedona, Cape May, Williamsburg, Key West, San Francisco, New York City, and Hawaii.

When we travel, we like to explore the history and culture of our destination through visits to historic sites and interactions with the local people. Additionally, Chris’ parents plan an annual vacation to the mountains or beach for the entire family. Quality family time includes games, cookouts, s’mores, swimming, and a much anticipated water balloon fight.

Zoo trip with Guatamalan sponsored family

Visiting Peru

- closing thoughts Raising a child is the most important thing that either of us will ever do. We are determined to raise our child in a loving, stable home that emphasizes the importance of family, education, and social responsibility. Specifically, we pledge the following: > Everyday, we will not only tell our child that

Having fun in Miami

we love him, but also show him that we do. > We will maintain a stable, nurturing home where our child will feel secure. > We will not spank or hit our child, and instead rely upon non-violent discipline

If you’re interested in us adopting your child, or if you have any questions for us, please contact your case worker at AdoptHelp by calling

1-800-637-7999.

measures, such as timeout. > We will read to our child regularly and keep a house full of books for him to enjoy. > Education will be a top priority in our home, and we will do whatever we can to ensure that our child receives a quality education from kindergarten through college. > We will instill respect for critical thinking and universal ethical values.

opportunity to explore the world via frequent domestic and international travel. > We will teach our child to respect others and be wary of prejudice. > We will respect our child’s individuality and encourage him to pursue the goals and interests that make him unique.

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> We will provide our child with the

thank

you!

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