John and Denise - Audubon, New Jersey

Thank you for taking the time to get to know us and read our story. The decision to place your child in an adoptive home is extremely courageous, loving and generous. Adoption is very close to our hearts. As adoptive parents, we have experienced God’s blessing through the adoption of our first child. With the help of Bethany Christian Services, our dream of starting a family came true when we adopted our son, Luke. Through the miracle of an open adoption we not only gained the love of a child into our home but we also welcomed his birth family into our life as well. We believe that adoption is God’s way of creating our family, and we eagerly anticipate the day when we will welcome a second child into our arms.

Love and Happiness
Our relationship is built on friendship, trust, mutual support and laughter. Starting out as friends has laid the groundwork for a stable, loving marriage and a deep commitment to each other. The added role of parenthood has taught us to work together as a team, to communicate better and has strengthened our family bond. As individuals, we are alike in many ways, but we believe it is our differences that make us stronger. Our personalities complement each other.

We are both college graduates and truly value education and learning. John works at a national bank and last year earned his Master’s Degree. Denise is primarily a stay-at-home Mom with Luke (and loves it) but works a few days a month as a training consultant.

Life with Luke
We love being parents! Parenting Luke is the most amazing experience of our lives. He has filled a place in our hearts that had been missing for many years and it is truly a blessing to watch him grow. Besides the huge gift that we were given when we were chosen to be his parents, it is the ordinary and the everyday that makes us the happiest.

Luke is our daily reminder that it’s the little moments that make life BIG. Luke is a spontaneous, outgoing, inquisitive, energetic, sweet, and rambunctious. He is definitely all boy, rough and tumble and ready to go, go, go! His favorite things are playing with his cousins, going to the zoo and the playground, visiting his grandparents and exploring the backyard.

Family Ties
Family is an important part of our lives. We both come from large, close knit and loving families. We are extremely close to our parents, siblings and cousins, and count family members among our closest friends. Since we have such a special relationship with our families, we would love for Luke to be blessed in the same way and experience growing up with siblings.

Traditions are especially dear to our families. For all major holidays (and minor ones, too) family gatherings are a must. In total, counting both sides of the family, there are over 17 cousins, ranging in age from 3 months to seventeen years old. Needless to say, family parties occur regularly and are loud, full of energy and loads of fun. Our family and friends share in eager anticipation as we begin another journey to adoption.

Home Sweet Home
We live in a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with a big yard in a tree-lined, and peaceful, suburban community. We spend a lot of time outside playing with Luke and our chocolate lab, Kahlua. We live within walking distance of a quaint downtown area with stores, restaurants and festivals throughout the year. We also have a playground right down the street. We are lucky to live in a neighborhood filled with young children. We are active in our church and participate in many activities throughout the year.

John & Denise
John brings a loving heart filled with kindness and support into our marriage. He is devoted to our family and makes me feel completely loved and respected. John is my biggest fan and has been my rock during the tough times and my laughter during the happy times. Being a daddy is truly a role that John was meant to fill – Luke’s eyes light up at the sound of his voice and John will drop everything to spend time with Luke. Watching their bond together and knowing that John has more love to give to another child warms my heart.

Denise brings an excitement and wonder to life that makes each day exciting. She is supportive to all of those around her; she is caring, friendly and open. Her smile is contagious. Family is very important to Denise - our nieces and nephews, as well as other children, are frequent visitors to our home and I love watching her interact with them. To see her with our son is a gift- she is truly a special mommy. Denise is always planning special events and outings for our family and tries to make each day special.

Our Dream
We are very excited for the day when we can welcome another child into our family through adoption. As you have read through our profile, we hope that you have seen that we are a family that celebrates life, treasures each and every day as parents, and loves each other deeply.

We know that birth parents need to decide what is best for them after placement, and we will honor that decision. But we want you to know that we embrace open adoption and it plays a huge part in our adoption story. Since Luke came home to us at 3.5 months, we have continued a relationship with Luke’s birth mom and her family through letters, email, pictures, and regular visits. Luke’s birth mother gave us the most precious gift on earth and we truly value the relationship that we have built with her.

Please know that your child will be loved, not as a child born to us, but as a child who is a dream fulfilled, a prayer answered, and a family created....

With Love,
John, Denise and Luke

Return to List of Waiting Families