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West & Leslie are hopeful adoptive parents from Illinois waiting to adopt a baby.

If you are pregnant and considering placing your child for adoption, please read the following Dear Birthmother Letter.

HELLO - WE ARE LESLIE & WEST! Please feel free to contact us at 1-877-535-BABY (2229)

Thank you so much for giving us an opportunity to introduce ourselves. We are excited about fulfilling our dream of parenthood and are thrilled and grateful that you would consider allowing us to welcome your baby into our family.

We realize the complexity of your decision and admire your courage and strength in seeking an adoption plan for your newborn’s future. We will support your decision however we can. We look forward to meeting with you, and would be happy to keep in touch over the years in whatever way would make you most comfortable.

By the way, when phrases are in italics, they are Leslie’s comments; when they are in bold, those are West’s comments. All others are from both of us. :)

GETTING TO KNOW US

We met 4 years ago (February 21st, to be exact) on a blind date of sorts – actually, we are the product of Internet dating. Yes, there are happy endings in cyber space! West is truly the reason that I believe in love at first sight! Is that why you wouldn’t talk to me for the twenty minutes it took to get to the restaurant? It was amazing – we both just knew from that very first evening that our lives would never be the same. He arrived with the most beautiful bouquet of flowers all wrapped in ribbons (stunning, actually – they took my breath away! As did his dimples ;))

We were married on a beautiful sunny day in June 2006 surrounded by our loving family and friends. The service was performed by a wonderfully genuine pastor whom we adore at St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Lincoln Park. We knew we wanted to start a family shortly after we were married, and believe raising a child will be one of the great joys of life! Our struggles with infertility have strengthened our relationship and we are closer than ever as we begin our adoption journey. Leslie is one of the strongest women I have ever met the way she has faced these issues and kept such a positive attitude.

ABOUT WEST AND LESLIE ABOUT WEST

I am the youngest of three children - I have an older sister who lives in Chicago and used to tease me as a child, but has since become one of my best friends as an adult; and I have an older brother who lives in San Francisco whom I see a few times a year for family gatherings. I grew up in a wooded rural area in central Massachusetts, where my parents still live.

Speaking of my parents – they can’t wait for their first grandchild!! This child is going to be spoiled rotten! You’re not kidding! They are positively giddy and have already offered to fly out to help whenever we need them.

Being the “jock” in the family, I was heavily involved in soccer, tennis, ice hockey, golf, and baseball. My fondest memories from childhood were the family trips. We would spend a few weeks every summer in Maine sailing, hiking, and swimming in the icy cold water. Today, I continue to play many of the same sports, but really enjoy tennis and golf (He even bought me my own set of clubs so I could learn the sport) as well as try to visit with my parents on their sailboat any chance I get.

My parents provided me with the strength and sense of morals I have today. He truly has a loving heart and has always stood by me during difficult situations. He was my rock and I leaned on him heavily during my father’s illness. My parents provided me guidance without being overbearing or excessively strict – unless I needed it (Mom cut the plug off of the TV one afternoon because I was becoming a couch potato). As we got older they encouraged us to travel internationally, which was the beginning of my passion for exploring the world. I hope to pass these traits along to our child someday.

ABOUT LESLIE

I am also the youngest child, but of 6! It is delightful that so many of them live in the Chicago area and we get to see them often. They are so excited to invite another child into our loving family! They are the most welcoming family I have ever met, as long as you are a Bears fan! Or Cubs fan, actually…yes, we support our Chicago home teams! There’s nothing better than eating a hotdog at Wrigley Field on a gorgeous sunny day!

I have always loved the performing arts, and have been fortunate to make a thriving career out of my passion for music and theatre. I trained at a conservatory in New York City, and eventually, my musical theatre journey took me to Europe while touring with a show. I ended up in Holland and loved it so much I decided to call it home for 5 years. While in Holland, I formed my own production company and toured the country with fabulous musicals like “Singing in the Rain”.

Now back in Chicago, I am a professional actress in TV commercials and voiceovers. I also have a singing group that performs at events a few times a month. I feel so lucky to do what I love for a living! (I think this is what has drawn us together, she brings me out of my conservative shell and I reign her in - if that is possible ;)) We do make a good balance for each other, this is true.

I feel strongly that it’s important to give back to the community whenever possible. I have volunteered for the Night Ministry for homeless teenagers in Chicago, as well as a mentoring program through Boys & Girls Club. I am happiest when I am helping someone in some way.

OUR HOME, OUR WORK & OUR FAMILY OUR HOME

We built our home at the end of a quiet dead-end street in a wonderful suburb of Chicago, only 20 minutes away from the culture of the big city. It is quite a sight to see the deer strolling across our lawn or the resident guinea-hen greet our cat at the door. We live in a family-oriented neighborhood where there are lots of young children. We are situated in a highly-regarded school district, with an amazing park within walking distance that has soccer and football fields, baseball diamonds, a batting cage, a water park, mini golf – you name it! It’s perfect for a family with children.

We are lucky to have the sweetest cat in the whole world! Babe was born in Holland and Leslie brought him back to Chicago with her in 1997. Everyone loves him and says he’s more like a dog because he is so affectionate and loves to be around people. He will follow you anywhere!

OUR WORK

Like most families today, we both work. It allows us to live a comfortable life, own our own home, and provide a better future for our family. We are fortunate that West’s job provides us with enough resources to support the family so Leslie doesn’t have to work if it doesn’t make sense for our schedules. My singing and acting career is incredibly fulfilling, but is also extremely flexible. It allows me to stay at home whenever needed. Being a Mom will be my first priority!

OUR FAMILY

We both come from large families and want our children to know what it’s like to be surrounded by so many loving family members. Leslie’s brothers and sisters have a total of 10 kids, so we are the most experienced Aunt and Uncle you can imagine! My introduction to Leslie’s entire family was at Thanksgiving where I desperately tried to remember all of their names! We have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of their lives as they grow up – and now we want to experience all of those joys with our own children.

Our incredible support system also includes friends and neighbors whom we consider members of our extended family. In fact, one of Leslie’s best friends is also in the process of adopting, so the kids will grow up together. Everyone can’t wait for us to start our family!

We’ll raise our children in much the same way we were raised: with a positive outlook on life, loads of encouragement, lots of love and never ending warm hugs. We believe in teaching our children about the wonders of learning, the value of family, and the importance of kindness and respect. This is why we feel it is important for us to tell our child how their birthmother loved and cared enough to make a thoughtful plan for their future. They will be raised feeling proud of who they are and always know that the decision you made was one of love.

THANK YOU! We are grateful and humbled you took the time to see a little glimpse of our lives, our hopes of being parents, and how we can provide a world full of love, adventure and stability for a child. We would be honored and so excited to be chosen as the adoptive parents of your child.

Most Sincerely,
Leslie & West

CONTACT US...
Call us toll-free at 1-877-535-BABY (2229) or E-mail us by clicking Send us a message.