Dear Friend,
Though we haven’t met, we feel a great deal of love and respect for you for considering this selfless gift of adoption. We think of you and pray for you often during this trying time, and we’re humbled by your courage and strength. We hope to someday hear your story; until then, we hope you will feel a connection to ours.
Eric and I met at BYU-Idaho when he arrived at my doorstep to take my roommate out on a date. We became good friends almost immediately and remained friends throughout the school year. The following year of college, we discovered that we were both newly-single and living across the street from each other, in the same ward, and in the same Home Evening group. It’s almost as if it was meant to be. :)
Eric and I were married in the Boise Temple in 2003. During our eight incredible years of marriage, we have been blessed with so many remarkable experiences. As a couple, we have lived in Rexburg, Idaho; Omaha, Nebraska; Washington, D.C.; and Saipan, which is a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. During our two-years in Saipan, we were able to meet people from across the world and experience new languages, cultures, and traditions. Our island experience was highlighted with many church and community service opportunities, which increased our faith and brought us closer together as a couple. After our time in the Pacific – along with some brief travels throughout Asia – Eric and I settled in beautiful Boise, Idaho, which we anticipate will be our permanent home. Through it all, Eric and I have shared life-changing experiences and made life-long friends. But the one experience we have eagerly awaited throughout our entire marriage – and the one experience for which we are most excited – is parenthood.
We’ve had a long seven-year struggle with infertility and, after numerous tests and procedures, still have no answer as to why we have not been able to start a family of our own. Two years ago, Eric and I decided to start saving all of our extra money to pay for In Vitro Fertilization. But when it came time to move forward with the procedure, we both felt compelled to pursue adoption instead. Once we made the decision to adopt, Eric and I immediately felt a sense of peace that we had a child waiting for us. So here we are . . . and we could not be more excited.
ABOUT US:
Whatever it is we’re doing, we always manage to make it fun. We love to laugh and we especially love to share new experiences together. We like to be active, we like to be outdoors, and we’re always looking for the next adventure. But we find plenty of ways to have fun when we’re not out and about. Eric has introduced me to the wonderful world of college football so we enjoy following our teams. We both like reading a good book, and we love playing games and spending time with our family and friends.
FROM CASSANDRA:
I’m the youngest of six. As a child, I was definitely a tom boy, always tagging along with my brothers and their friends as they built forts, drove go-carts and explored the great outdoors. I was heavily-involved in sports, and my parents were very supportive in coming to all of my games. Our home was fairly modest, but it felt like the coolest place on earth thanks to my handy dad and brothers. Our tree house wasn't just any tree house. It had a pulley system elevator that would lift you to the 2nd floor, and there were only 2 ways down - leaping down to the trampoline or riding down the zip line! Some of my hobbies and interests include volleyball, graphic design, digital scrapbooking, photography, interior design, etc. I currently work for my brother as a Web Designer, and I feel so fortunate that I get to work from home and make my own hours doing a job I absolutely love. Right now I'm serving as the Young Women's president, and I really enjoy working with the youth.
It wasn’t hard falling in love with Eric. He’s that guy that everyone wants to be around. He’s smart, he’s witty, he’s hilarious, he’s thoughtful, and he’s my best friend. I can’t think of a time that someone met Eric and didn’t instantly fall in love with him. People are drawn to him because he’s so engaging and so much fun. I’ve already come to grips with the fact that he’s going to be the favored parent, but I’m completely ok with it because I know he’s going to be a fantastic father. Eric is a talented and hard-working attorney and wonderful provider. He’s also an influential leader. In summary, he’s sort of amazing, and I feel very blessed to call him my husband.
FROM ERIC:
I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and was fortunate to be raised by two loving parents and four patient siblings who willingly tolerated my many childhood quirks. At an early age, I was obsessed with all things Superman and was gravely disappointed to discover that I would never develop the ability to fly. I soon shifted my focus to the sports world. I’d regularly run to school with Chariots of Fire serving as my mental orchestra while my brother and I would often wrestle to the Rocky soundtrack. My mother worked very hard to teach me to play these musical scores – along with a variety of church hymns – on the piano despite years of heavy-resistance on my part. In high school, I played football and ran track but begrudgingly discovered that neither the NFL nor the Olympics were in my future. So I shifted focus once again and decided to write about athletes rather than be one. In college, I studied journalism in hopes of becoming a sportswriter. After my first year of college, I served a mission in Salt Lake City, Utah. When I returned, I resumed my education and, after a brief career as a journalist, decided to attend law school. I’ve now been working as an attorney for nearly five years. In my spare time, I enjoy sports, politics, and a good laugh. I also enjoy working with the youth in my ward.
I can say with all sincerity that marrying Cassandra has been the single best decision I have made in life. When I first met her, I immediately knew Cassandra was out of my league. (My parents, by the way, still agree with this assessment.) She was strikingly attractive, quietly confident, and incredibly bright. Simply stated, Cassandra was the most beautiful girl I had ever met. During our years of marriage, Cassandra has only grown more beautiful.
Cassandra has a unique ability to connect and influence others without saying a word. I regularly notice her nieces and young women from church carefully watching and emulating her. Her influence is likely attributable to the fact that she has an unyielding moral conscience and is among the most selfless and generous people I know. Cassandra’s optimism and attitude are especially infectious. She laughs at my jokes (even if no one else will), frequently bursts into song around the house, and randomly breaks into happy dances in the kitchen. She teases me to keep me grounded, and builds me up when I am feeling stressed. She is always thoughtful and considerate and often sends notes of encouragement when others need it. Believe me when I say that I am incapable of fully-expressing Cassandra’s beauty in this brief letter. But just know that she is and always will be the girl of my dreams.
Thank you for taking the time to read a little about us and possibly helping us fulfill our dreams of having a family.
Eric and Cassandra
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