Hello!  Our names are Namie and Paul. Thank you for reading our letter and considering us as adoptive parents. You are probably going through a lot right now, and this is no doubt a stressful time as you consider adoption for your baby. We'd like to share with you our vision for raising a child, so you can determine if it is compatible with yours. We had fertility struggles in the past, but we've moved on from these challenges. We are excited to pursue open adoption as the way to complete our family. Giving a home of unconditional love is our commitment as parents. So here's a little about ourselves, home, friends, and family so you can get to know us a little better.

Our Story

We were both in graduate school to become counselors. We were taking a sandtray course, which is a therapy used with children with a sandbox and lots of little toys. We were partners in the exercise, and we both felt a spark, so Namie took the first step. Two years later, we became partners for life and were married at City Hall in San Francisco. Namie is from Japan, but has lived here for about 15 years. Paul is from Oregon and has been here for 10 years. We are happy here in San Francisco.

During our seven years together, we have developed many traditions. We go camping every summer, every year we make it a point to see our family in Oregon and Japan. We go on lots of hikes on the weekends. We take our dog, Bennett, with us almost everywhere we go! We try new things. For instance, once we went to the House of Air in The Presidio. It is a trampoline playground for kids and adults alike. Not sure who had the most fun….Us or them!

Paul

Paul’s warm smile makes people feel happy and warm. He easily connects with babies and kids. When he holds a baby, he and the baby naturally make eye contact and appear very relaxed. My sister’s daughters love him even though he and the girls do not speak the same language! He just has a natural capacity to understand their needs and interests. He finds ways to communicate with them and I can tell there is a lot of respect. He has natural abilities to make a baby and child feel safe and relaxed. I feel safe and trust him as a father. I feel grateful to share my life with him.

—Namie

Namie

Namie is the most loving person I know. Her ability to connect with children is amazing. At her job, working in schools with children,  kids who will not talk with anyone suddenly open up and talk to her. During family visits, she helps out her sister with the raising of their children. She provides advice, and takes care of our nieces. When her sister and brother in law were having their second child, Namie assumed the role of caring for the elder daughter. Immediately, our niece called Namie, “Nami-chan mama,” (like “Mommy Namie”). After the baby returned home, Namie took care of her sister and our two nieces. I was amazed at how naturally she took over the mother role without hesitation. I’m blessed to have her in my life.

—Paul

Family Values

Through thick and thin, we have come to value family and friends as our top priority. Over the years together, we have blended mutual friends and family into a supportive community. We’re excited to bring your child into this supportive community where he or she will be accepted unconditionally.

Family is more than just genes. It is the connection that exists between people. It is what makes the world interesting and unique! As a matter of fact, Paul was adopted by his stepfather, and considers this man to be his true father. When raising  a family, our top priority is for our child to feel safe to express who she or he is, in whatever form that takes. We are excited about adopting!

Friends and Community

It takes a village to raise a child, so the saying goes. We agree! That is why we place emphasis on relationships and community over material possessions or life achievements. We are proud of our community,  diverse in nature. We have friends from around the world and from different cultures.

When we told our friends and community that we plan to adopt, they got very excited. Namie’s sister is excited that her kids will have a cousin to play with, and Paul’s parents are excited to have a chance to help out in San Francisco once the baby is born.

Our friends are from many different walks of life. We have friends from different racial, ethnic, and sexual orientation backgrounds. We love our friends, and believe diversity is healthy. We are excited to have the opportunity to bring a new being into our community, family, and home!

Thank You!

Thank you for considering us as prospective parents to your baby. We will do our best to raise him or her to have a fulfilling and happy life, and are excited to share a relationship with you as he or she grows up. We wish you the best in your journey and hope to hear from you. Please contact us directly or through Adoption Connection (contact info listed below). We are happy to answer any questions that you may have and are excited to meet you!

                                                     Sincerely,

                                                     Namie and Paul