Mark and Abby

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From Us to You

Our names are Abby and Mark. We are so incredibly humbled you are taking the time consider us. We can’t begin to imagine the magnitude of the selfless decision you are making in considering adoption for your child. We want you to know that your decision will make our world complete in its entirety. We admire your strength and bravery as you navigate this journey. We are here for you, always.

Your child will be loved unconditionally by us, our family, our friends, and of course by our five kittens and our Chiweenie. He or she will be supported endlessly through life’s greatest adventures. Life isn’t just a straight path and we will be there through the hard times as well as the good. He or she will learn to be kind to others of various backgrounds, nice to those who aren’t always nice to them, and to be strong in the face of a crazy world. Our home will forever be filled with happiness, love, consideration and kitten hair.

Our journey to parenthood has been incredibly difficult for us both. We have endured the immense challenges of getting married later in life. Abby 40 and Mark 35, both of us our first marriage. We thought it might be a smooth process to conceive, but unfortunately it ended up that after some tests there was less than a 1% chance. That was crushing for both of us as that was a big part of what we pictured. We are blessed to both be very healthy otherwise and have many other blessings in life.

We could only imagine that the path that led you to this choice could not have been easy for you, but know that you are loved and brave beyond words. We are incredibly grateful that you would consider us as parents to raise your child. Thank you for helping make our dreams come true in growing our family. We look forward to the day when we will meet you and share our unconditional love.

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Why We are Choosing to Adopt

We had trouble conceiving a child naturally, but fortunately, we both feel very passionate about adopting. Mark’s family had much experience with adoption and Abby and Mark have a large amount of experience and emotional ties to other cultures that makes them open minded to what a blessing this next chapter of their lives have in store!

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Lifestyle

Abby is extremely passionate about art and craft projects and loves to play with her Cricut and sewing machines. Mark is a member at a golf club that has a pool and a few times a year, they hire a DJ for kids and it creates a very fun environment, which includes various games like Limbo, hula hoop and overall dancing fun. Mark’s work allows the family to travel at least once a year to various locations and cities, such as Hawaii and the Bahamas. The children of various other coworkers participated going down the water slides, playing in the sand on the beach, and having fun the final night with glow sticks. A few years ago, the trip was to Universal Studios, where children were able to run onto rides with no lines and they provided ice cream and treats at every corner.

Fun Facts About Us:

• We like to watch various shows and appreciate comedy.
• We got married in 2020, but our honeymoon to Dingle, Ireland got canceled, so we will definitely be going there at some point in the coming years.
• We attend at least one Blue October concert a year.

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Our Values

Abby and Mark are both very passionate about education. Abby has an undergraduate degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Mark from Dickinson College, along with a MBA in finance. Two years ago Mark and Abby started an endowed scholarship with friends called the Pennington and Weller Fund. This fund will help students with some of the costs associated with finding mentors through internships during their undergraduate experience at Dickinson College.

Abby and Mark are a very modern couple sharing various roles in and outside the home. Our child will treat others with respect and kindness. Our child will be a leader not because of pursuit, but because of necessity and thoughtfulness. Our child will be taught to put others above him or herself and will be in a nurturing environment that will be replicated in to the next generation.

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About Abby by Mark

Abby is incredibly smart, resourceful and tenacious. She has broadened my perspective in many ways since I met her. She has brought front and center for me the plights of those less fortunate. She is very generous to those we interact with from service staff to any vendors we use at the house or elsewhere. She cares for all living beings and helps me appreciate the little things in nature such as the deer, bunnies, and groundhogs that come into our backyard. She has made my life much more full and made me a better person.

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About Mark by Abby

Mark is the heartbeat of our family—an energetic and kind-hearted person who truly lights up every room he enters. As a financial adviser, he brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to his work, helping others navigate their financial journeys with care and integrity. Mark’s love for children shines through in everything he does. His philanthropic spirit is inspiring; he’s dedicated to making a positive impact in our community and beyond. He is not only my partner but also a wonderful teammate, ready to tackle challenges with a big heart and tons of enthusiasm. I am so excited to embark on this new chapter of parenthood with him, knowing that our future child will be surrounded by his warmth, love, and unwavering support.

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Our Home

Abby and Mark live in Royersford Borough, which is a small town in Southeastern PA near King of Prussia, PA. Our home is a short walk to the local elementary school, a couple parks, main street area with shops and cafes, and a walking trail along the river. We are both currently on the Parks and Recreation Committee of Royersford, helping plan fun events and activities throughout the year. We also have several amazing neighbors of all ages that we have grown close to and love spending time with, who we now consider some of our closest friends. Our neighbor next door loves hanging out at our fire pit and the couple across the street with two kids, love playing in our pool or throwing a basketball in our driveway. This is a very safe and fun community and we consider our house to be our forever home.

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Our Family

Mark’s parents live in Havre De Grace, MD and have a condo by the water. Since they are a short drive from us, we make trips to spend time with them several times throughout the year, including all the holidays. Mark has a sister he is very close with, who shares a home with a husband and their two young daughters. A few weeks ago, we treated them to an indoor water park adventure where we spent two days riding the slides and hanging out in a cabana. Mark has an African American brother, who was adopted in 1996 at 3 years old from Methodist Home for Children. Mark’s aunt also adopted two African American boys in 1989 and 1991. We always share holidays together and try to plan fun activities throughout the year.

Abby has an two pairs of aunt and uncles she is very close with that own homes near the beach in warm parts of the country. We try to plan a trip to see them at least once a year and spending time with them is such a blast! Our most recent trip was to Corpus, Christi, TX, which is along the water. We got to hang out at the beach and check out a local art gallery.

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Traditions

As a couple, we are very passionate about family traditions. Mark’s family had a tradition to go to Sea Isle, NJ for vacation once a year, which was spearheaded by his maternal grandmother. After her passing, Mark and Abby decided to continue that family tradition and now every summer, our immediate family comes together in Sea Isle for fun in the sun! Growing up, Mark’s family also had many traditions and fun memories around baseball, so for the last 3 years, Mark has taken his dad to Spring Training in Florida. Abby’s family is spread throughout the country, but once a year, we try to plan trips to visit them. Mark and Abby recently joined Mark’s sister and her family in the Pocono Mountains, where we fed deer in the backyard, played foosball and went to an indoor water park with cool slides – We are planning this to be our newest tradition!

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Racial & Cultural Diversity

Both Mark and Abby to this day have relatives and friends that are of various backgrounds that were mentioned. Also, Mark is a financial adviser for athletes and entertainers that are predominantly from cultures and races other than their own.

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Our Pets

• Magic was born in Dover, DE and we adopted him during the pandemic in 2020. He is a very kind and quirky kitten.
• Shadow was born in Pittsburgh, PA. He lived with Abby’s mother before she passed. He is a very wise and loyal kitten.
• Fluffy Pumpkin, who we adopted as a kitten, was the sole survivor of a cat colony. He has a lot of hair, but that is okay because we have a lot of HEPPA air filters. Mr. Fluff is a very kind and hungry kitten.
• Chuck was a rescue, who we adopted at 2 years old from a foster in 2022. He is a very sweet and nurturing kitten, which is why he earned the nickname Mama Chuck.
• Rocket, who was adopted in 2023, is the youngest of our kittens. We call him a fraidy-cat, but he is oh so sweet and looks like an owl because of his goofy, long hair around his face.
• Bitsie, our Chiweenie doggie, is the newest member of our family. We adopted her at 2 months old in June 2024. She is full of energy, loves chasing her tennis ball, and she absolutely loves little kids!

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Our Promise to You

We want to express our deepest gratitude for the incredible gift you have given us by choosing us as the adoptive parents of your child. We could only imagine the depth of this decision and want to assure you of our commitment to honor your wishes and keep your connection with your child alive.

We promise to maintain open lines of communication. We will share updates, milestones, and special moments in your child’s life, ensuring you feel connected to their journey.

We recognize and respect your vital role in your child’s life. We will speak of you with love and respect, ensuring that the child knows their story and the strength of your choice. We are committed to facilitating future contact as per your wishes. Whether it’s letters, pictures, or visits, we will honor your comfort level and desires.

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In Closing

As we conclude our journey to parenthood, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for considering us as potential adoptive parents. After many years of waiting, our excitement to welcome a child into our lives is immeasurable. We are deeply committed to fostering a home filled with love, kindness, and respect—not just for each other, but for all living beings.

We envision raising a child who values compassion, understanding, and support for others, including our furry friends. Education is a cornerstone of our family values, and we are dedicated to providing the best opportunities for growth and exploration, empowering our child to pursue their passions and dreams. Thank you for taking the time to learn about us. We promise to cherish and nurture your child, helping them grow into a compassionate and confident individual. We are eager to embark on this beautiful journey of family together.