Dear Birthparent(s),
Thank you for reading our letter. While we cannot imagine all that you are feeling right now, we respect and admire your courage and strength in considering an adoption plan for your child.
Our names are Chloé and Ralf. Before we got married, we’d daydream about a house full of kids. “Let’s have five!” Ralf would say. “Whoa, how about three?!” Chloé would respond. Whatever the magic number, adoption was always part of the conversation. While our road to parenthood wasn’t quite what we imagined, we’ve not only survived the confusion and heartache of infertility, we’ve grown in our love and commitment to having a family.
A little about us: Ralf is from Cologne, Germany, where his family still lives. He’s worked as a biologist, documentary filmmaker, indigenous rights activist, and brewer. He enjoys fishing, vegetable gardening, and pheasant-hunting with Pancho. He is fluent in German, Spanish, and Italian. He’s smart and silly and is always the one kids are drawn to!
Chloé comes from a close-knit family in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As a kid, if she wasn’t climbing a tree or riding her bike, she was writing in her diary or reading. Her love of language led her to a career as a teacher and published poet. She loves teaching both kids and adults how to use their voice on the page, and believes everyone’s story deserves to be told.
Our family values kindness, a love of learning, artistic expression, and tolerance. We love to travel, camp, and go hiking with Franny and Pancho, our two sweet pups.
In March of 2021, our dreams came true when a baby named Hendrix was born and his birthparents chose us to be his adoptive parents through open adoption. We could not be more in love. He is a curious, brave, and happy kiddo! He loves his doggies, snuggling up for book time, and trying to kick all of the water out of his bathtub. We are so grateful and humbled to finally share our lives with a child, and are thrilled by the possibility of Hendrix growing up with a sister or brother.
We will vow to nurture your child’s dreams and to teach them to speak up for themselves and others. We will encourage them to know and honor their roots, and show them how to take care of others. They will be welcomed with open hearts and open arms by a big, beautiful, supportive community of good friends and loving families.
Thank you for reading our letter and considering our family. We’d love to meet you and get to know more about you.
With love and gratitude,
Chloé, Ralf, & Hendrix (and Franny & Pancho)