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   I was born and raised in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, where my parents still live. Our street was full of young families and lots of children. We spent many hours playing hide-and-seek, riding our bikes around town and camping in the backyard. Growing up, my brother and I shared many of the same friends in the neighborhood. We both have happy memories of playing dodge ball in the front yard during the summer. Although we don't live close any longer, we continue to be close and speak on the phone often. I attended an all-girls Catholic high school and then graduated with a Bachelors degree in Public Administration from Miami University.In October 1995, I traveled to San Francisco for work. This was my first visit to California and I absolutely fell in love with the beauty, the culture and the excitement! Three months later, I packed up and moved to San Francisco and have happily lived in the Bay Area ever since.  I work as a Sales Director for Aetna, Inc. and I just celebrated my 17th anniversary in March 2007. Where has the time gone?!? Working in a sales job has given me the flexibility to be an involved mom, and take Grace to swim classes, play on the swings at the park and just enjoy spending time together. I look forward to the same flexibility and time as our family grows! I am so fortunate that my parents and brother are able to visit us here in California several times a year. Grace and I also travel to Ohio every year to visit the rest of my extended family and friends. My parents are still among those I consider my best friends and I hope that someday my children feel the same way about me. My mom and dad are both retired and are the most generous and loving grandparents. Grace has named them Gamma and Bop-Bop! One of the most significant lessons I learned from my parents was the importance of saying "I Love You!". To this day, I end every conversation with my family and friends by saying "I Love You." Not a day goes by that Grace, or any child of ours, will not hear and know how much they are truly valued and loved!  I value my friendships and make an effort to maintain them. Some of my closest friends are the girls I have known since grade school. I have also created new friendships with other adoptive parents I have met through our adoption journey. The bonds we share as adoptive parents raising our children in fully open adoptions are meaningful. I have always enjoyed reading good books, hiking, exercising and spending time with my husband and friends. As a mother, I now spend my time playing with dolls, reading picture books, and teaching my daughter to ride a tricycle! I look forward to new experiences as we expand our family because I LOVE every moment!! |
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