Dear Birthparent(s),

Loving greetings to you from our family, Al, Monica, & Abbey. “For I know the plans I have for you……to give you a future and a hope.” - Jeremiah 29:11

We hope this bible verse gives you peace, hope, and comfort in knowing that God has special plans for each one of us, including you and your baby. Could you be reading about US right now because WE are meant to be connecting parts of God’s big plan? It is with great respect and gratitude towards you that we write this letter so you can get to know us to see if we are meant to be the adoptive parents of your baby.

We are Al, Monica, & Abbey. Al and I were married in August 1996 when we were both 25 years old, after a little over a year of dating. We were actually from the same hometown but had attended different high schools. We had known of each other since we had both grown up in small hometown schools, but we never dated until both of us were out of college. When we reconnected at a local restaurant, it seemed to be “Love at first sight.” We were married in a beautiful church wedding surrounded by our loving families and friends.

It took us four years to conceive our first child, Abbey, who is the greatest joy of our lives, although her birth story is quite a rollercoaster ride. About half way through our pregnancy, we found out that Abbey had Spina Bifida, which would cause her to be paralyzed from the waist down, in addition to other health troubles. After learning about an experimental surgery that could be done before her birth to try to correct the problem to try to give her a better life, we went through the risky procedure in Philadelphia, PA, about 5 hours from our home, and spent the summer there awaiting her birth. Miraculously, she was born kicking and screaming……our true miracle….and she is absolutely perfect.

Because of the struggles and complications of the experimental surgery, doctors recommended that we NOT try to have any more children. Despite their recommendation, we were so desperate for another child that we did anyway. Unfortunately, our son, Jeremiah, passed away about halfway through our pregnancy due to an illness that was fatal to him. We took that as God’s sign for us to begin our adoption journey instead. So this led us to Bethany.

Abbey is our only child, and it is her strongest desire to have a brother or sister to love and care for. Although she lost her brother when she was just around five years old, she still talks about him years later. She is always begging to go play with her younger cousins, Tyler and Madison, or wanting to have a friend over to play with. She is just dying to become a big sister! I know she will be the best big sister that a kid could ask for. She has even set aside her own money to help……how funny is that???

(Written by Monica) Albert is a sales manager for a local glass corporation, where he sells industrial glass to build large buildings. He has an easy-going, loving personality, which makes him very good at his job. He had always dreamed of being a physical education teacher, but as family needs arose, he went to work to earn money to take care of his mother instead of finishing college. To fill his need of being an educator, he has coached football in the past for his high school team, and he has signed up again to be a volunteer coach. Not only does he love football, but he is an immense sports fan all the way around. Al is a favorite Uncle to many of our nieces and nephews, and his interactions with children are quite fatherly. He is an incredible father to our daughter, and he is just waiting to be able to add another little player to his team!

(Written by Al) Monica is a teacher at a local public school where Abbey attends. She is a loving person who loves all kids. She is an excellent educator and is often relied upon by her principal to provide her intuition on different curriculum at the school. She enjoys shopping, collecting dolls, and spending time with our daughter Abbey. She has given everything possible to assure that our daughter would have a normal life, considering the complications she has in everyday life due to her Spina Bifida. She is a wonderful person, and I wouldn’t trade her for anyone.

We live in western Pennsylvania. We own a 3 bedroom, 2 living room, 2 kitchen, 2 bathroom brick split-entry home, and we live in a family centered neighborhood where education is valued. Although we live in what seems to be a country setting, we are just minutes from schools, parks, restaurants, and shopping. Most of our extended families live within 10 miles of us, and we enjoy family gatherings, as well as activities with friends who have children. Abbey likes to spend time walking to the local ice cream stand and playing outside on her playset that was hand built by her awesome daddy.

We are also very lucky to have two extremely “kid-friendly” Basset Hound dogs, a shy Calico kitty, and an interesting water turtle. We are definitely a family that enjoys animals!!! While we enjoy spending quality time with them, we also enjoy other activities, such as camping, motorcycle riding, quad riding, watching sports, playing the WII and DS, swimming, reading, shopping, and participating in church activities like retreats, bible school, singing, and Monica’s after school bible club at her public school.

So, are WE meant to be together in this journey? Although we do not know you, God does. And we will be praying to Him for you as you make one of the most important decisions that you will have to make in your life. Words cannot express our extreme gratefulness that you have decided to give your baby LIFE. And that is NO mistake. We are firm believers that everything in God’s world happens for a reason……..although that reason is not always something we can see. “We live by faith and not by sight.” - 2 Corinthians 5:7

Have faith in yourself, in God, and in the decision you make. We are praying for you.

Much love,
Al, Monica, & Abbey