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Ryan & Helen are hopeful adoptive parents from Utah 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 sure love birth mothers, especially our daughter Emily's! Although we can only imagine how difficult your decision is, we pray that God will bless you with peace and guidance as you consider your child's future.

Thank you for taking the time to get acquainted with our family. We are excited to get to know you, too! Please Send us a message and we will respond as quickly as we can.

About Us We met in 1998 while in college, but we didn't start dating until four years later. Ryan was working as an attorney and Helen was in graduate school when we started dating in 2002. We were married a year later in December 2003. We believe our strong friendship formed a great foundation for our marriage.

Shortly after our wedding, we bought a house close to Ryan's work in Salt Lake City. We live only one block away from one of Ryan’s sisters and we live close to nearly all of Helen’s family. Our house, a 1960’s rambler, still needs some work, but we love our beautiful and quiet neighborhood.

After a couple of years and many doctors’ appointments, we learned that we will most likely never conceive children. Although the news was sad, adoption was an easy choice for us. Helen has a sister who was adopted and we both have cousins who were adopted, so we knew how inspired adoptions are.

In October 2007, we were placed with a beautiful newborn and named her Emily. She has been an extraordinary blessing in our home and in our extended families. We adore her and appreciate her birth parents who selected us. We have an open relationship with them and have been blessed by their continued interest and support in Emily’s life. We love taking lots of photos and video of her milestones to share with them.

Ryan’s job as an attorney allows Helen to stay home with Emily. Helen loves getting to spend the whole day with Emily at home or out with friends and family. They go to parent-tot swimming lessons once a week, music class once a week, and frequently meet friends for play dates. In the summer Helen and Emily enjoy “field trip” days with Emily’s grandma and cousins. Each week they visit a zoo, museum, park, or pool. Emily loves socializing with other children and Helen loves seeing her sisters, mom, and friends frequently.

Before Emily was born, we adopted two cats from the animal shelter. Emily loves the cats and is learning how to pet them and play with them.

Helen about Ryan Ryan is thoughtful. Ryan frequently asks me, “What can I do for you?” He learned how to treat me by observing his dad, who made his mom’s happiness a priority.

Ryan is smart. Ryan is the youngest of six children and loves to tease that he is the smartest in his family. As a kid he would often frustrate his Mom with his inquisitive attitude. Even now he’ll call his Mom to try to persuade her politically. He keeps up on current events by Tivo-ing several news shows. He has a quirky sense of humor and will often make random jokes.

Ryan has a great work ethic. Ryan is dedicated to his career as a lawyer and he always does what is in the best interest of his clients, whether or not he can bill them for his efforts.

Ryan loves sports. He still plays basketball whenever he can, at city league, the gym, or with the church team. He also likes to watch football and supports BYU and the Steelers. He works out at the gym and tries to stay healthy.

Ryan is an easily worried, attentive dad. He loves to make Emily laugh and helping with diapers, meals, and bath time. It makes him sad to leave Emily in the mornings, and I know he looks forward to spending time with her before bed each evening. Emily is lucky to have him as her dad.

Ryan about Helen Helen is fun. At any moment, Helen might spontaneously dance, sing or both. You can always count on Helen for a board game or card game. It’s especially fun to play games with Helen because she’s so competitive.

Helen is healthy. Helen loves jogging and going to the gym. She has run two marathons and many half marathons with her sisters. She plays outdoor volleyball during the summer and indoors during the winter. Helen makes healthy choices at the grocery store.

Helen is social. Helen loves taking Emily to meet friends or cousins for lunch or play dates.

Helen is my best friend. I can talk with Helen about anything. After a difficult day at work, a couple of minutes with Helen can make me forget my troubles.

Helen is a great mom. She makes sure Emily stays healthy and happy. She loves playing with Emily and teaching her new things.