W E M E T O N M AT C H . C O M . After a few back and
OUR FA I T HF UL CA MPA N I ON S, DUKE, B UCK & CL A RI SE
OUR WEDDI N G DAY
forth email exchanges, we had our first coffee date in San Francisco. A foggy Coffee turned into a long walk, which lead to a great dinner at a divey Mexican restaurant, and four hours later - with neither of us wanting to leave - a goodnight kiss under a streetlamp… that we will never forget.
e were inseparable after our first date. And in a short time, we fell in love. It
WE ARE BEYOND THRILLED AS WE
wasn’t too long before we blended
SIT DOWN TO WRITE THIS LETTER
our lives. And now, today, we divide our time
T O Y O U . It is impossible to convey EN J OY I N G T HE V I EW ON VACAT I ON
how excited we are to become first time fathers. We are very honored that you are
equally between our homes in Incline Village, in North Lake Tahoe, NV, and in St. Helena, in the Napa Valley, CA.
considering us and our home as a place for your baby to grow and thrive. ♦
We can also empathize with what you must be going through—looking ahead to placing
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your child with an adoptive family—we cannot imagine the range of emotions, or
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their depth, that you may be experiencing.
child. As gay men, we face some obstacles
WE WERE LEGALLY MARRIED IN MAY
R IDING OUR HORSES, DUCHESSE AND LADY
of our lives - surrounded by all the people
SKIING TOGETHER
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GOING OUT TO MOVIE NIGHTS
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to beginning a family on our own.
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O F 2 0 1 4 . It was the most incredible day who love us, who have been there to witness TA KI N G A HEL I COPT ER RI DE
T IME WITH OUR FRIENDS, USUALLY AT GREAT DINNERS THAT WE LOVE TO HOST
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It is important to us that you know we have always imagined ourselves with a
E NDLESS HIKES WITH OUR DOGS, DUKE, BUCK AND CLARICE
us get through the toughest of times. As we exchanged vows, we were overwhelmed by the incredible support we have surrounding us.
We have shared so much together over the
RAVELING TOGETHER - KAUA’I IS T A FAVORITE DESTINATION FOR US. WE LOVE GOING TO FLORIDA WHERE ONE OF RUSS’S SISTERS LIVES CLOSE BY RUSS’S MOTHER. KEY WEST IS A FAVORITE. PENDING ENDLESS OURS ON OUR S BOAT WHERE WE ALSO LOVE TAKING OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY OUT FOR EVERY KIND OF WATER ADVENTURE E ATING OUT AT RESTAURANTS TOGETHER
the best of each of us, and who have helped
years, and have grown both as individuals and as a couple. From the beginning, we have always known that we wanted children together. We are very excited to share our WE LOV E TO TA KE HI KES!
love and life with our child, and are at a point in our lives where we are able to provide a comfortable and happy home with lots of unconditional love for him or her.
R U SS LOVES T HE WATER
Russ is the
in the relationship. Russ takes
the one to share your fears and
youngest of
care of the social calendar with
your excitement with. He is the
6 kids in his
family and friends. He manages
heart of every relationship he has,
family. All 5
our travel plans. He makes the
from his sisters, to his mother,
of his older
beds and does the dishes. I so
to his friends, and gratefully, to
siblings are
appreciate this short list of the
me! He is a magnetic force in all
girls. I think being ‘the baby’ in
daily duties, but bigger than
our lives that we can’t wait to
the family to a sibling circle of all
these individual points within our
be with… and once with, never
sisters that makes Russ so many
relationship is the core of what
want to leave. I am overwhelmed
of the great things that he is. He
these behaviors represent—Russ
with emotions as I imagine how
is kind, considerate, heartfelt,
is the heart of our relationship.
Russ will be with a baby. W I T H
emotional, giving, and nurturing.
He is the one to come to with
ALL OF HIS LOVE, I KNOW
a story. He is the one to come
OUR CHILD WILL GROW
It’s always funny to me how every
to for guidance. He is the one
TO BECOME A BEAUTIFUL
successful couple has their ‘roles’
to come to with a dream. He is
HUMAN BEING.
P R E PA R IN G A FE AST
is originally from a small town in upstate New York, and comes from AT A WORK EVENT
TAK ING A HI KE WI TH THE PU PS
a close, loving family of 5 older sisters. He has 3 nephews and 2 nieces. Russ moved to California in 1992, after graduating from Syracuse University. RUSS RETIRED AS A DENTAL OFFICE MANAGER AFTER 21 YEARS AND JUST RECENTLY,
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USS WAS AN AMATEUR R ROAD BIKE RACER AND COMPETED IN VARIOUS ENDURANCE RACES
BEGAN A
USS SPENT A YEAR AS R A 3 RD GRADE TEACHER’S AIDE AT A LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!
ATTENDANT
R USS ENJOYS ALL TYPES OF MUSIC AND LOVES KARAOKE R USS GREW UP WITH VARIOUS FARM ANIMALS AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CARE AND WELL-BEING
CAREER AS A FLIGHT
GETTING R EADY FOR A R IDE
HA N GI N G OUT AT HOME
WITH SOUTHWEST A I R L I N E S . Some of Russ’s hobbies include riding his road bike, riding he and Scott’s horses, and walking and caring for their dogs. In the summer months, Russ enjoys spending time on the boat, and skiing in the winter.
FLI G H T AT T E N DA NT R U SS
cott owns a thriving business—he’s predominantly a Wedding & Event Designer. Scott has recently begun doing Interior and Architectural Design. Scott has enjoyed time in the public eye with a career in television and media, and a line of wedding gowns. Scott works from home in both our homes. His schedule is flexible, and because he has a dedicated staff supporting him, Scott is looking forward to the role of work-from-home-dad. And on those days when Russ may be away from home on a quick turn with Southwest Airlines, Russ and Scott plan on having daytime help at home. I love Scott with all my heart. I love that Scott is a strong, take-charge kind of man. He
S C O T T ’ S L O V E S S K I I N G ! He teaches adaptive skiiers
gets things done. H E I S T R U E T O H I S W O R D
and has put in over 200 hours worth of volunteer work. Scott is certified in working with cognitively challenged youth—
TEACHI N G MY N EPHEW TO RI DE
KI SSES F ROM MY PUPS
down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism. Scott also works
SCOTT VOLUNTEER ING
with the Wounded Warrior Program teaching America’s returning veterans how to ski and snowboard with their new bodies. With Scott’s support, these heroes get on skis and
WIT H DU CHESSE, O U R B ELOVED HO RSE
AND MEANS WHAT HE SAYS.
Scott and I have very different personalities, and that is one of the things that makes us such great partners. We balance each other in so many ways. It may
snowboards and over a process of days, are shushing down
seem corny, but we do complete one another.
the hill feeling the exhilaration of total freedom! It’s amazing to witness. Scott and Russ together are also big supporters of
When I see the way he plays and interacts
Canine Companions for Independence—a national non-profit
with our dogs and horses, I know he will
group dedicated to partnering highly trained assistance dogs
make a great father to our child. One of
with adults and children who have an array of emotional,
the things I love and admire about Scott
mental and physical challenges.
is his compassion to Disabled Sports. He is such a caring soul.
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EN J OY I NG THE VI E W ON O UR B OAT
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G ARDENING
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D ECORATING THE HOUSES FOR THE HOLIDAYS
S ETTING THE DINNER TABLE IN ANTICIPATION OF FRIENDS COMING OVER FOR A GREAT MEAL PREPARED BY RUSS
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L AYING ON THE FLOOR, BEING DOG PILED BY DUKE, BUCK AND CLARICE… ONG RIDES WITH DUCHESSE AND LADY… L ‘TALKING’ ABOUT THE DAY H IS NEPHEWS, JACOB AND KAEL, AND ALWAYS LOOKS FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME HE GETS SEE THEM AND BE TOGETHER
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H IS BROTHER AND SISTER IN-LAW—HE ADMIRES AND RESPECTS THEM AND SCOTT’S BROTHER, KEVIN, IS HIS HERO
I am blessed and grateful to share
H ITTING THE BEACH FOR ENDLESS HOURS AND SURFING AND AND SNORKELING IN THE REEFS OF KAUA’I
with someone who
H IKING TO THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN TOP AND STARING OUT AT THE VIEWS… SUNSETS ARE THE BEST!
looking forward
S KIING AT THE GREATEST SPEEDS DOWN MOUNTAINS COVERED IN FRESH SNOW
a life with someone who is as selfless as Scott, and has such a huge heart. I am to seeing our child grow up with these values.
DUKE IS ALL AMERICAN!
FOOT BALL G AME WIT H SCOT T ’S BROT HER AND NEPHEW KAEL
With his birthday always coinciding with the 4th of July, he is the proud adopted papa to Buck and Clarice who are 8 years his junior. They are brother and sister and they are endless hysterical fun! There is never a dull moment in our home— just
cott comes from an intimate family who
ask Duke, our child will always have F INIS H ING A RIDE S U RROU NDE D BY FAMILY AND F RIE NDS
identify strongly with their Irish American
somebody to play with! When it comes
roots. Scott was raised in the Roman
to laughter and joy, we say the more the merrier!
Catholic Church and finds strength in many of the tenets of the faith he was raised with. T H E
MAJOR HOLIDAYS OF CHRISTMAS AND EASTER ARE ALWAYS A HIGHLIGHT.
SKIING WITH FR IENDS
R USS MADE THE PUPS A TR EAT
Scott’s family can be defined as ‘big on football’. Scott’s brother, Kevin, is the Athletic Director for an area high school in California, and going back three generations, Friday night has always meant Friday Night Lights. Scott’s sister-inlaw, Mandy, comes from a very large Mexican
W E LOOK FORWA R D TO THE R ODEO EVERY J U N E!
American family. We are proud uncles to Kevin and Mandy’s kids, Jacob and Kael. With Mandy’s Mexican heritage, our families have blended into a modern extended family, and the benefits to Jake and Kael are immeasurable… from being bilingual, embracing all the beauty of two strong cultures, to sharing similar faiths… and so much more. Scott’s parents, Bill & Leslie, are now retired and relish their roles as Grandma and Grandpa. They live for days with Jacob and Kael. They well up with
WI TH OU R EN TI R E FA MI LY ON OUR WEDDI N G DAY RUSS W IT H HI S S IST E RS TOURIN G T H E C AL IF ORNI A COAST L IN E
We love our horses and we ride a lot – almost every day. They are boarded at a nearby facility in the Lake Tahoe area with a year-round kids program. We love
tears about the news
going for long trail rides with the dogs. And it is
about our adopted baby
a blast to watch the kids in our barn grow and
and are ready to kick into
mature around all the horses. O U R C H I L D W I L L
high gear for the newest
GROW UP AROUND HORSES AND DOGS AND
grandchild.
REALLY LEARN TO LOVE AND RESPECT THE LIFELONG COMPANIONSHIP OF LOYAL A N I M A L S . And of course, we’ll have our little one in
Although Russ’s sister’s are older and spread throughout the country, they still find time once a year to meet and have a “girls” retreat.
the saddle as soon as the time comes. CYC LI N G W I TH T H E B E ST I E S !
Russ’s mom lives in Florida and is very excited to be a grandmother once again!
S COT T A N D D U C H E SS E
R U SS W I TH LA DY I N OU R HOME I N I N CL I N E V I L L AG E
WE LCO M E ! O UR HOME I N THE WI NTER
DE CORATE D FO R T H E H O LI DAYS
O UR COZY L IVING R O O M
INCLINE VILLAGE IS DEFINED
events! From the 4TH of July fireworks,
with the laughter of children playing and
parade and tons of opportunities for
BY ALL THE ACTIVITIES OF
to the Halloween parade, we love all
the sounds of families living inspired
all the town’s kids to get together and
T H E S E A S O N S . We are never
that our area offers. It seems every
lives. We literally live on a street where
share a pretty great life!
sitting still. Hiking, biking, swimming
weekend we have a fun event to go to
the kids play in the street—actually
in Lake Tahoe, horseback riding,
surrounded by our neighbors, families
in the street. Saint Helena’s school
boating, skiing and snowboarding—
and kids.
system is one of the most acclaimed
the activities for kids and families are
in California. And on Friday night’s we
endless. We love our active lifestyle at
can hear the football game announcer
home in Incline Village. And we always look so forward to the big holiday
H I KI NG I N NEW M E XI CO
A F E AST F OR F RIE NDS
SAINT HELENA IS AT THE VERY HEART OF THE NAPA VALLEY. Our neighborhood is always abuzz
from our kitchen. And here again, every major holiday is defined by a community
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In both our homes, with our extended circles of friends, we love all the moms and dads we know with all their kids. As we’ve shared our plans, we’re actually almost scared at how much we’ll be doing. Everyone is so excited!
W E WILL LOVE YOUR CHILD WITHOUT CONDITION W E WILL PROVIDE A SAFE HOME FOR YOUR CHILD THAT WE WILL PROTECT AND GUARD AGAINST ANY CALAMITY W E WILL PROVIDE A NURTURING WORLD FOR YOUR CHILD TO GROW AND DEVELOP IN THROUGHOUT ALL THEIR
STAGES IN LIFE—FROM PHYSICAL NURTURANCES LIKE A GREAT DIET TO THE EMOTIONAL NURTURANCE OF A STABLE AND LOVING HOME ♦
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And through all of these simple promises, we pray that your child finds joy, love, excitement, inspiration, knowledge,
W E WILL LISTEN WITH OPENNESS
experience, strength,
W E WILL GUIDE WITH FAITH IN MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS
have created and in the life
kindness… in the home we we work so hard to live.
bove all, we will provide a safe, financially secure home with the sort of structure that helps a child develop and thrive and become a wonderful human being. We have a full life that we can’t wait to share with a blessed little person. T O G I G G L E A N D P L A Y A N D L O V E OUR WAY THROUGH EACH DAY IS LIVING THE DREAM FOR US!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH US OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR US, PLEASE
We can’t wait to have your baby crawl right into our hearts and our home. Duke, Buck, Clarice, Lady, and Duchesse are all ready and waiting. Every season is at our doorstep. And our families—moms and one surviving dad, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces… ALL can’t wait to start the oh-too-exciting-path of loving, spoiling and shaping this little person.
CONTACT YOUR CASE WORKER AT ADOPTHELP BY CALLING 1.800.637.7999 TOLL FREE.