The Beginning

Alan and I were friends for a couple years before we dated and eventually married, in 2009.  Most people say their spouse is their best friend but we truly say that with conviction, as that is how our relationship started and grew.  We're very close with both of our families (Alan even works for my dad).  The child God blesses us with will have 3 grandparents, 3 great-grandparents, 3 aunts, 3 uncles and 7 cousins.  Every single one of them have a lot of love to give, are elated about our adoption decision and will be really wonderful role models.

Alan and I both work full-time jobs.  He is in the Tool & Die Supply business with my Dad and my brother and I am in Management at an imaging facility that does MRI's, CT scans, Mammograms, X-Rays and much more.  We're both in positions that require us to be patient and understanding, and those are things we learn how to do better everyday.  We will both continue working but I may cut my hours back a bit to bond with our child and to provide a sense of safety and security to them.  I've been at my job over 9 years and I'm blessed to have a lot of flexibility when it comes to my schedule.

We are members of a Christian church.  We attend weekly and are also involved in small groups and Bible studies.  We have a really strong support system not only in our family, as mentioned, but with lots of friends, some of whom we go to church with.  I also have a good friend that has adopted 3 boys and she has been a tremendous help to us thus-far.  She is also a Christian and holds the same beliefs and morals we do so I am grateful to have her in my life. 

We will never know what it is like to be pregnant, or give birth, as my tubes have been removed and the only shot we would have at pregnancy is through IVF.  We tried 2 rounds of it already, one unsuccessful and the other ending in a twin miscarriage.  This is what ultimately and prayerfully brought us down the road of adoption.  Looking back I can't imagine having a child any other way.  We pray daily about what the future holds for us, the child and the extended family we may have. 

We are going into this journey with open minds and open hearts and look forward to our future, as this is truly the beginning of it.

With love in Christ,
Rachel and Alan