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We are honored that you have taken the time to read our letter. We can only imagine what you must be feeling right now. We admire your courage and strength to go on this journey. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I was raised in the south suburbs of Chicago. I am the middle child of 8. Though my parents divorced when I was 9, they raised us with boundless love. I enjoyed playing with my brothers and friends, and being active in football and wrestling. After high school I joined the Illinois Army National Guard. It was a great way to get life experience and pay for college. I graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1997 with a teaching degree. Upon graduation I went into the family printing business, where I still am today. I know that I’ll use my teaching degree someday, just don’t know when. Presently, I love spending time with my family. My job gives me the flexibility to come and go in order to be with Jen and Camden at special events. For fun outside the family I enjoy taking Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes, running, and watching the Bears (as frustrating as that can be). 
He is truly a gift from God. We feel so blessed to have been chosen to be his parents. We are so thankful to his birthmother and the selfless choice she made. Camden tells his friends at school that HE is adopting a brother or sister and seems very excited. Camden is a very active 4 year old. He loves to be outside, riding his bike, playing tennis, reading books, splashing at swim lessons and chugging his trains. He has a love for all animals and is very social. He makes new friends where ever we go.
We are so lucky to have a wonderful and nurturing daycare for our son to go to. He has been going there two days a week since he was two years old. Camden has grown emotionally, educationally and socially by being there. His teacher loves him as much as we do and has guided him (and us) in so many ways. We love helping out whenever we can and have gained an amazing friendship. She is excited for us and cannot wait to be a part of our next child’s life.
Camden goes to preschool three days a week. On Wednesdays we go to the library to check out books and sometimes a movie. Cam also has swim lessons that night. He is getting much better and loves the water. 
We tried to get pregnant for almost two years, with no luck. It was hard seeing our family and friends having children and we could not. In December of 2003 we decided we would look into adoption after a little break. Three months later a friend told us about Camden's birthmother. Our lawyer and social worker talked to her and she chose us to be his parents!! We were able to see him the three days he was in the hospital and give him his bath and feed him. At the time we were scared, overwhelmed and very excited. The day we brought him home was so joyous!!! We remember calling our family and telling them "He is in our car!" Camden's birthmother chose to have a closed adoption and we respect her decision. We do wish he did know her because we care for her deeply. Without her choice we would not have our family. If you would like to have some openness we would like that.
We have a family member who chose adoption for her first child. Although she was very young and it was a heartbreaking decision, she knew then and now it was the right choice for her and her son. He has a wonderful life with his adopted family and she knows she could have never given him such a great life at that time. She is married now with three very handsome boys. We also have two cousins who were adopted. 
We love to spend time together as a family; vacations in the summer, snowballs and hot chocolate in the winter. We both have large extended families …aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents from California to Mississippi. Our nieces and nephews are looking forward to having another cousin to spoil and play with. We are also blessed to have a group of amazing friends in our lives. 
