Hello!
If you choose us as the right family for your child, know that we consider parenting as our calling and our family is the greatest gift that we have. We would welcome your child into our family and make certain that they have all the love, security, laughter and joy that you would want them to have.
We met in 1994 through our mutual love of history. We quickly became best friends and realized that we were meant to be together. On May 17, 1997, surrounded by our friends and family, we were married in an 18th century church in Maryland. In August of 1998, our son Benjamin was born and we have been on a wonderful adventure ever since!
Our home is in a nice, quiet and wooded subdivision with parks, pools, bike trails and the elementary school within walking distance. Shortly after we moved here from Maryland in 2005, Laura’s best friend of 20 years moved less than a mile away with her family. We do a lot as an extended family, loading up the van and heading off to Busch Gardens or Water Country to ride the roller coasters and water slides. In the winter, we like to walk through Ginter Park with all of the beautiful holiday lights. We want Ben to learn about local history, so we tour various homes and museums wherever we go. This past summer we took Ben to Washington, DC to explore the treasures at the Smithsonian and to see the monuments. We think that it is important to make learning an adventure that is fun and we look forward sharing our gifts with your child.
Laura’s parents live in the country near Warrenton, Virginia and we see them whenever we can. Paul’s mother and brother live outside of Baltimore and his sister, brother-in-law and their three boys are currently living at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.
Ben can’t wait to be a big brother who can teach his brother or sister how to draw and swim. He also asked that we let you know that he’ll help his sibling with their math homework because he’s good at that. Ben has been taking tae kwon do lessons for several years now and is becoming interested in music as well. We want our children to have every opportunity to pursue their passions.
We hope that you will consider our family as the right one to entrust with your child. We want to make sure that you can find peace knowing that your child will be safe, loved and encouraged to be all that they can be. We want to share their progress, their joys and their accomplishments with you, if that is your desire. You are giving your child the wonderful gift of life and we hope that, after reading about us, you feel that we are the family that can give them the upbringing that you would like them to have. We are home study approved.
Thank you for considering us and we hope that we will meet you soon.
Our Home
Our home is in a nice neighborhood in the Richmond area that's full of old-growth trees. We live in a quiet cul de sac, and most of our neighbors have children. Our community has several parks where our family plays regularly with our dogs, and pools where we spend our summer days. There are also bike and walking trails throughout the community. Our neighborhood elementary school is within walking distance, and the middle school is also very close by.
Meet Paul
Paul has worked in the film industry since 1986, specializing in movie lighting; and his film credits include several major motion pictures.
He loves travel, photography, movies, woodworking, music, and entertaining. He’s an excellent cook and enjoys preparing gourmet meals for his family and friends.
Paul is an extremely involved father and spends a great deal of time with Benjamin, including walking him to school every morning and participating in Ben’s favorite hobbies and interests.
Meet Laura
Laura grew up in the countryside outside of Warrenton, Virginia, the younger of two children. She spent her early adulthood outside of Washington, DC, but considers the Richmond area her true home. Her parents taught her an early love of travel by taking her on road trips. They learned about history by visiting different parks, museums and historical sites; and this is something that she and Paul love to do with Benjamin.
Most of her career has been spent as an executive assistant. She has been with the same health care corporation for nine years, the last three here in Richmond. Laura recently transferred, with the same company, to serve as assistant to the Executive Vice President/Administrator of two area hospitals.
Laura explores the world with her camera. She learns about the arts by picking up a new craft from time to time, and visiting museums and festivals. She's great at cooking desserts to complement Paul’s wonderful meals. She loves parenting and making learning fun for Benjamin. She approaches life with a strong sense of humor.
Meet Ben
Benjamin, who likes to be called Ben, is a creative, intelligent ten-year-old, and is truly the comedian of the family.
He loves to play outside, ride his bike, skateboard, and swim. He has a great imagination and loves to draw—especially superheroes that he makes up, himself.
He's in his second year of martial arts, with a blue belt, brown stripe in Tae Kwon Do. The classes have helped Ben to mature and be more focused on his schoolwork. He's an honor student with strengths in math and science. He gets along really well with his classmates and friends.
Ben has wanted to be a big brother for several years now, and demonstrates a great gentleness and patience with his younger friends and his youngest cousin, Joshua. He likes to be the “teacher” and can’t wait to have a baby brother or sister to play with.
Our Letter
Dear Birth Parents,
We are Paul, Laura and Ben and we are so excited to bring another child into our family! Your decision to make an adoption plan is one that requires a great deal of courage. We cannot begin to imagine what a difficult decision this must be for you and we hope that you find peace and comfort as you make this journey.
If you choose us as the right family for your child, know that we consider parenting as our calling and our family is the greatest gift we have. We would welcome your child into our family and make certain that they have all of the love, security, laughter and joy that you would want them to have.
We met in 1994 through our mutual love of history. We quickly became best friends and realized that we were meant to be together. On May 17, 1997, surrounded by our friends and family, we were married in an 18th century church in Maryland. In August of 1998, our son Benjamin was born and we have been on a wonderful adventure ever since!
Paul completed his Bachelors degree in Mass Communications from Towson State University in 1986 and has been employed as a freelance lighting technician in the film industry for over 20 years. He has worked on special events at the White House, feature films, documentaries and commercials.
Laura has spent most of her career as a senior level executive assistant. She is employed by a local health system and works as assistant to the Executive Vice President/Administrator of two of their hospitals. This is her ninth year with the company, having been employed for six years at the corporate office before transferring to Richmond three years ago.
Our home is in a nice, quiet and wooded subdivision, with parks, pools, bike trails and the elementary school within walking distance. We fell in love with the house immediately and felt that we had found the perfect kid-friendly community. We have been very happy with the elementary school, which has wonderful programs and faculty. There are playgrounds nearby and our house is on a cul de sac where the children can play safely.
Shortly after we moved here from Maryland in 2005, Laura’s best friend of 20 years moved less than a mile away with her family. We do a lot as an extended family, loading up the van and heading off to Busch Gardens or Water Country to ride the roller coasters and water slides. In the winter, we like to walk through Ginter Park with all of the beautiful holiday lights. We want Ben to learn about local history, so we tour various homes and museums wherever we go. This past summer we took Ben to Washington, DC to explore the treasures at the Smithsonian and to see the monuments. We think that it is important to make learning an adventure that is fun and we look forward sharing our gifts with your child.
Paul grew up as the middle child, with an older brother, Chuck, and younger sister, Joyce. They have remained close over the years and, although they all live in different states, they talk frequently. His mother lives in Maryland, outside of Baltimore, and his father lives in West Virginia. He spent a lot of time playing with his siblings and cousins, who lived nearby. Paul has always loved to read. He is a gifted photographer and likes to travel.
Laura is the youngest of two children, with thirteen years between her and her sister, Deborah. Laura’s parents live in the country near Warrenton, Virginia and we see them whenever we can. Growing up, Laura enjoyed painting, drawing, reading and traveling. She has always been fascinated by history. Although Laura has kept her interests from childhood, she also enjoys photography. She is particularly close with her two nieces, who are now grown.
We want our children to have every opportunity to pursue their passions. We are also committed to raising our children with a full understanding of their cultural heritage so they can grow up with a strong sense of who they are, connected to their roots.
Parenting has brought us closer as a couple and this is the most rewarding work that either of us has done. After Ben was born, we knew that we wanted another child, but after three miscarriages in four years, we accepted that having another biological child was not an option. Adoption was something that we knew was the right choice for us. We knew we would love any child unconditionally and offer them the absolute best that we have to give as parents. Perhaps everything that we had experienced had happened so that we could make a difference by helping someone else - someone like you - find a loving home in which to place their child.
We hope that you will consider our family as the right one to entrust with your child. We want to make sure that you find peace knowing that your child will be safe, loved and encouraged to be all that they can be. We want to share their progress, their joys and their accomplishments with you, if that is your desire. You are giving your child the wonderful gift of life and we hope that, after reading about us, you feel that we are the family that can give them the upbringing that you would like them to have.
Thank you for considering us and we hope that we will meet you soon.
With Warm Regards,
Paul and Laura