We have two children, Dorothy and Clancy, who came into our family through adoption. From the moment we met them, it was amazing how perfectly they fit in and how much joy they brought to our lives.

Every child is unique, and it's so fun to see the differences between siblings. Dorothy is our social, adventurous free spirit, while Clancy is a bit more reserved at first but shows his kind heart and athletic skills once he's comfortable. Together, they're a hilarious duo, and our home is filled with laughter every day. Both of them have been asking for another sibling for a while, especially since many of our friends have three kids.

When we became Dorothy's parents in 2016, our lives changed overnight. Adding Clancy in 2020 shifted everything again. Each new addition has made our family feel more complete, and it's hard to remember what life was like before. As we prepare to welcome another child, we know the love, laughter, and adventures will only grow—and we couldn't be more excited.

We feel incredibly lucky to live a life full of both stability and adventure, where work supports what matters most—family time. As diplomats, we're part of a diverse international community and will continue having opportunities to live abroad, exploring the world together. We make every place feel like home, bringing our love, laughter, and pets (a dog and two cats) with us.

Living overseas has been great because activities for kids are often more accessible and affordable than in the U.S. For example, horseback riding lessons, which are expensive back home, are much more affordable here. This makes it easier for our kids to try new hobbies and explore their interests.

One of our favorite things to do as a family is travel—whether it's to visit family and friends or to explore new places and have adventures. We take advantage of living overseas and believe travel is one of the best teachers. We hope to instill in our children a love of adventure and an appreciation for diversity.

Our kids already have quite the travel list! Dorothy loved our time in Egypt, and Clancy is still talking about our recent trip to Ireland. While traveling with kids can be more work, it's always worth it, and we know adding another child will only increase the joy we find in these experiences.

We love spending time together as a family. Our free time is filled with playing, reading, watching TV shows, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family. We're active and enjoy being outdoors, whether it's swimming and skiing during the seasons, exploring nearby spots, or taking weekend trips.

Our friends are like family, and they're just as active as we are. We often travel together, which the kids love. We've done camping trips in national parks and beach weekends. Some of our favorite trips have been to Cape Town, South Africa, and Ireland, and we're excited to keep traveling as our family grows.

We also love hosting, so weekends at home can feel like big family gatherings, full of laughter, kids playing, and storytelling.

We also have our own hobbies. Mike is into golf, reading, and video games, while Dana enjoys knitting, photography, and puzzles. Dorothy loves art, music, and dancing, and Clancy is all about dinosaurs, monster trucks, and Mario Kart. Both kids recently got into horseback riding, so we do that twice a week as well.

Because we work for the Department of State, we’re currently on assignment and living in Baku, Azerbaijan. We have a 4-bedroom home in a safe, gated neighborhood near the international school the kids attend. Our house is provided by work and has a playroom, a large fenced yard, and the neighborhood is full of kids running around.

Our typical tours last 2-3 years, and we've been posted in several countries, including Kenya and Jordan. Wherever we go, we’ve found the American expat community to be close-knit, with regular gatherings and great amenities. There are lots of supports for families, and we’ve always felt safe and comfortable. When we’re not overseas on assignment, we spend a lot of time in the Washington, DC area.

But our home base is definitely in Kentucky, where we own 10 acres of land, and most of Dana’s family lives nearby. We love having so much space in the country for the kids to run and play. Our property is right across the street from Dana’s parents’ house on the river, so we often spend time with family there, enjoying good food and fun. The kids especially love swimming in the river during the summers.

We both come from close-knit families. Dana's family is originally from Texas, but most of them now live in Kentucky. Her parents, Bibi and G-Dan, have been married for many years and are retired schoolteachers. They're young at heart and love hiking, reading, and kayaking at their lake house. Dana has a younger brother, Drew, who is married with three kids.

Mike's family is in Boston. His parents have also been married for many years and have a wonderful relationship—they still make each other laugh. Time at Noni and Pupa's house is always filled with stories, laughter, and fun treasure hunts for the kids to explore. Mike's older sister, Tara, is a doctor who lives in Ireland. She has one daughter with another on the way.

Even though our families live in different places, we stay close by texting, video chatting almost every day, and visiting often. Both of our families are thrilled and supportive of our decision to adopt again. They welcomed each child with excitement, and we know the new baby will be surrounded by the same love and support.

Thank you for taking the time to read our letter. We know this is a big decision for you, and we want you to understand who we are and why we are so excited about the possibility of welcoming another child into our family.

Mike is an adult adoptee. Growing up as an adopted child, his parents made sure he knew how much he was loved, which helped him grow up with a strong sense of identity and belonging. We believe that family is about love, not just biology. Having experienced adoption firsthand, we also want you to know that we deeply respect your decision and the love that led you to consider adoption.

It takes great strength to make such a choice, and we are grateful that you are taking the time to explore what is best for your child. If you choose us, we promise to honor your wishes and keep an open line of communication. We would be happy to share updates, photos, and milestones as your child grows. We plan to share their stories with them, honoring the love and courage that their birth parents showed in choosing adoption.

We are proud parents of two wonderful children: our 8-year-old daughter, Dorothy, and our 4-year-old son, Clancy. We adopted both of them as infants, and they have filled our lives with so much joy and laughter. From the moment we met them, we felt an instant connection, and they have brought an abundance of love into our home. Each day is an adventure, whether we're exploring new parks, reading books, or trying out new recipes in the kitchen together.

As parents, we are committed to creating a loving, supportive, and nurturing environment for our children. We believe that every child is unique and deserves the opportunity to explore their interests and grow into their own person. Dorothy is curious and adventurous, always asking questions and eager to try new things. Clancy, on the other hand, is a bundle of energy, with a love for racecars and all things outdoors. We strive to help them understand their emotions and learn valuable life skills, like empathy and kindness.

We know that this journey can be overwhelming, but we want you to feel supported throughout the process. We have an amazing network of family and friends who will be there for us and for your child, offering love and support. Our family gatherings are filled with laughter, storytelling, and a sense of togetherness, and we can't wait to share those moments with your child.

Our home is filled with warmth, laughter, and fun. We enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it's hiking, skiing, or visiting the beach. We also love to travel, and we hope to share these experiences with our children. Exposure to different cultures and environments is important to us, and we want our kids to grow up appreciating the beautiful diversity in the world.

Considering adoption is a brave and selfless decision, and we want you to know that if you choose us to be your child's parents, we will welcome them with open arms and full hearts. We promise to love them unconditionally and provide them with a life full of adventure, support, and opportunities.

Thank you for considering us. We respect you and your journey, and we hope to connect with you further. We are here to answer any questions you may have and support you in any way we can.

Wishing you peace and comfort in this journey,

Mike & Dana