Charlie and Lauren
Hello!
- WE ARE -
CHARLIE &
& LAUREN,
ALONG WITH OUR SON, ELI
from NEW JERSEY
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LEARN ABOUT US.
WE PROMISE TO HONOR YOUR CHILD’S STORY AND WELCOME BOTH OF YOU INTO OUR LIVES WITH OPEN ARMS.
Dear Birth Parents,
We hope that our profile can help give you a sense of who we are as a family and as parents. Adoption has been on our hearts for a long time as we’ve encountered the ups and downs of infertility struggles over the years. We know in our hearts that we have so much love yet to give, and we respect whatever decision feels right to you. We would love to honor an open adoption and keep in touch with updates as your child grows using emails, letters, sharing photos, and annual visits depending on your comfort level. We are happy to discuss this more and honor whatever arrangement makes you most comfortable.
- A LITTLE -
ABOUT US
AS A COUPLE, WE HAVE A SOLID FOUNDATION THAT BEGAN AS A FRIENDSHIP.
We met in college at Rutgers University where we were friends for years before ever dating. We’ve been together for over a decade and have been married since 2015. Together we enjoy exploring places both new and old, especially hidden local gems around New Jersey. But more than anything, we just enjoy each other’s company, no matter the activity. We are dedicated to always keeping the lines of communication open and honest, no matter what. This open communication and commitment to loving each other through it all has helped strengthen our marriage into what it is today. Our similar sense of humor has also strengthened our bond.
- BECOMING -
PARENTS
Shortly after getting married, we wanted to start our family. A long road with infertility lead to our son, Eli, in 2018. Since then, we have had similar fertility struggles when trying to conceive more children.
We have always dreamed of having a big family together, much like the kind we were both raised in. Adoption had always been part of the conversation for us from the start, and ultimately, we began to feel more and more like it was the path we were meant to take.
ABOUT
LAUREN
- BY CHARLIE -
Lauren is fiercely protective of her loved ones and has a way of making even the most mundane things feel enjoyable. She can find a way to celebrate anything for anyone and goes above and beyond to make her loved ones feel special. Whether this is through baking fun treats or creating unique celebrations, she just makes life feel fun. It’s one of the first things that I loved about her when we met in college. This is a trait that particularly shines as a mother, watching her create such fun experiences out of everyday activities and making memories for our son that will last a lifetime.
She’s the first to dive into a pumpkin and squish all the guts out with the kids, and certainly isn’t afraid to be silly. Lauren is the heart of our family, and our safe place. Anyone who knows her knows how special she is and how deep her love runs.
LAUREN IS A NURTURER BY NATURE.
She is a registered nurse, and her compassion and caretaker instincts know no bounds.
ABOUT
CHARLIE
- BY LAUREN -
I may be biased, but I think Charlie is the best. When we first met, I was Charlie’s Resident Assistant at Rutgers University, and he was a lovable goof who lived down the hall and enjoyed drawing pictures of ferrets on my white board.
To some people, this may have been strange. Some may have wondered,“why is this guy drawing so many ferrets on my door?”. But I found this trademark Charlie silliness to be endearing and decided this guy was someone I wanted to get to know better. Not only did I learn that Charlie had a beloved pet ferret at home, hence his love of them, but I also learned that he is an incredibly kind and wonderful person. And, most importantly, a really great friend. Those ferret drawings were the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and the rest after that is history.
HE IS SINCERE, LOYAL, AND DOESN’T TAKE HIMSELF TOO SERIOUSLY.
He’s an incredible father to our son and a hardworking professional engineer.
OUR
HOME
WE LIVE IN NEW JERSEY AND ARE BLESSED TO BE CLOSE TO MANY OF OUR LOVED ONES WITHIN THE STATE.
Charlie’s parents are under an hour away, and Lauren’s parents and brother are under 10 minutes! A strong family bond is fundamental to our parenting. Our parents cannot wait to welcome another grandchild through adoption!
As homeowners, we have enjoyed doing several projects around the house. One of our favorite adventures has been building our own garden. The exterior garden walls are actually the same ones that Lauren’s grandfather built for her mom’s garden when Lauren was a girl, and it means the world that those same walls are now in her own family garden. Incorporating this piece of living family tradition is just one of the things we love about our yard, a place where our family gathers for BBQs and parties all year long. Another perk of our location is our ability to take our children on great day trips to places like the beach or into the city.
GEORGE is our 9-year-old pup and MARTHA is our 8-yearold cat. Both were rescued from our local shelter. Fun fact: Lauren’s brother’s cat is Martha’s brother; they rescued the sibling cats together.
MEET HOPEFUL BIG BROTHER
ELI
Eli is four years old and is so ready to be the best big brother. He has the kindest heart and loves playing with his friends and family of all ages. He is an energetic four-year-old who is obsessed with bugs, Mickey Mouse, and any kind of vehicle that moves! Even though he has the stamina of the Energizer Bunny, he is a very gentle toddler who loves nothing more than a good cuddle, especially with our pet dog and cat, George and Martha. More than anything, he is excited to have a partner in crime around the house and someone to get into trouble with!
- A FEW -
OF OUR FAVORITES
TV SHOW
LAUREN: The Office
CHARLIE: The Office
ELI: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
ICE CREAM
LAUREN: Vanilla with sprinkles
CHARLIE: Mint Chocolate Chip
ELI: Vanilla, Mint chocolate chip, or chunky monkey
BOOK SERIES
LAUREN: Harry Potter
CHARLIE: Goosebumps
ELI: Pete the Cat
HOBBIES
LAUREN: Reading, gardening, and taking a good nap
CHARLIE: : Making music, cooking, and family time
ELI: playing with friends and anything that makes a mess 🙂
VACATION SPOT -
LAUREN: Disney World
CHARLIE: Anywhere that serves Dole Whip
ELI: Disney World!
LUNCH BOX SNACK
LAUREN: Cheese Stick
CHARLIE: Chewy Dips
ELI: Blueberries or cheese
FAVORITE MOVIE
LAUREN: It’s a Wonderful Life
CHARLIE: Forrest Gump
ELI: Mickey Mouse or Encanto
SPORTS TEAM
LAUREN: New York Giants
CHARLIE: Rutgers football
ELI: Rutgers football
FAMILY TRADITIONS
Our favorite time of year is the fall. All our birthdays and our wedding anniversary fall between October and November, so the season feels like one continuous celebration. Every year we go all out visiting farms and apple picking, painting pumpkins, dressing up for Halloween, and just enjoying the season while it lasts. But the love doesn’t end with just the fall. We have beloved traditions for every season, and truly look forward to the special, unique joy each season has to offer. Whether it’s celebrating St Patrick’s Day by making corned beef and cabbage and Guinness beef stew in early spring, going out to our favorite fish fry and tending our garden in the summer, or celebrating the holidays in the winter, each season comes with its own special tradition we’ve created and continue to enjoy throughout the years. We would love to learn about some of your family traditions and incorporate those as well.
our
LOVED ONES
We both come from big families and are excited to add even more love to the mix!
We each have two brothers and have both grown up knowing the joy of having close siblings. Most of our family is local, and those who are not still come to visit often. Lauren has a very close extended family as well, and many of her family traditions include her cousins who she sees frequently. For decades, Lauren’s extended family has gathered every December to make homemade pierogies for Christmas. It is a tradition that has existed as long as Lauren can remember and has been carried on through multiple generations. Then we all gather again Christmas Eve night, and we eat the pierogies together, which are delicious little potato and meat filled dumplings! It is the most special night of the year for us, and just one example of our family’s many traditions.
OUR FRIENDS
Aside from our close families, we also have a wonderful friend group, with friendships that have lasted over decades. We feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such a loving group of both friends and family, and they are all so excited for this journey as well.
- OUR -
PROMISES
- TO -
YOU
- To honor an open adoption (if you desire) and ensure that your child always knows where they came from, starting with the unconditional love you have demonstrated from the start.
- To love and accept your child for exactly who they are, never trying to mold them into something they are not. We promise to encourage and nurture their interests and talents and allow them to chase their dreams, whatever they may be.
- To love unconditionally. To provide a family environment where love does not need to be earned and is given freely and abundantly without judgment. Through the good times and the bad. Where your child can feel safe, secure, and loved exactly as they are.
- To cultivate joy. We promise to always look for the joy in life and share that joy with your child. To cherish the laughter and joy in things both big and small.
- To navigate the waters of life with your child. We promise to always be their biggest allies and to help them navigate whatever ups and downs may come so they know they always have our support and love to help weather any storm.
- ONE LAST -
Thank
YOU!
We are so incredibly thankful and grateful that you took the time to read our profile, and we cannot wait to get to know you as well.
We cannot begin to imagine the feelings you must be experiencing during this process, but we promise to honor those feelings. We thank you for taking us into your consideration by reading our profile and welcome any questions to help you become more comfortable in your decision. As adoptive parents, we promise to dedicate our lives to loving your child unconditionally and ensuring that they always know where they came from and how deeply they are loved by you as well.
WE WOULD LOVE TO
HEAR FROM YOU!
