Craig and Sam

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From Us to You

We want to start by expressing our deepest admiration for the journey you’re on. Craig and I can only imagine the strength and courage it takes to make the decisions you’re facing right now. Please know that we’re here with open hearts and a world of gratitude to you for considering us.

So, who are we? We’re Craig and Sam, and we’re located in Oregon. Our backyard is painted with the breathtaking hues of the ocean to the west, the coast range to the east, and every day, we’re reminded of the beauty that surrounds us.

Adventures run deep in our veins. Whether it’s wandering through lush forests, setting up camp under a canvas of stars, or hopping on a plane to explore new places, we’re always up for a good adventure and we can’t wait to introduce a new member to our travel team and witness the world through their curious eyes.

When we’re not out chasing adventures, we’re at home in the kitchen and in the garden. Cooking and baking are our happy places, and we believe there’s something truly special about creating a meal from scratch that you can share with your family and friends. Speaking of, your child would be joining a family of 3! We have a 12 year old Norwegian Elkhound named Loki who loves children. He also loves bread – probably more than we do!

Craig and I have talked about adopting a child for years and our dream is to raise a child who’s not just a citizen of the world, but also deeply connected to their roots — something that we will be very intentional about. As a multi-ethnic family, we understand how important it is to know where you came from and want to make sure that your child is able to experience the joys of their birth family’s background. We want them to embrace their heritage while exploring every corner of this beautiful planet. Most importantly, we want them to feel safe and supported, to be their authentic, awesome selves, no matter what. We believe that’s where true magic happens.

Life, to us, is all about those small, magical moments. From morning cuddles to impromptu dance parties, we want to treasure it all. But we’re also big believers in celebrating the big milestones as well. Every step, every giggle, every first – it’s all part of the grand adventure.

We’d love to keep you in the loop and share updates if you’re comfortable with it. Your presence in our child’s life will always be honored and cherished.

Thank you again for considering us. We know this isn’t an easy journey, and your strength is something truly extraordinary. Whatever path you choose, know that our hearts are full of gratitude for you.

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About Craig

When I first met Craig, I’ll admit, nerves were running high. But almost instantly, I knew he was the one. There was something about him, a rare blend of empathy and adventure, that drew me in. We just clicked. He has this uncanny ability to be there when you need him, even if you don’t realize it yourself. Craig’s love and support have become the bedrock of our relationship, unwavering and steadfast. Watching him interact with his nieces and nephews, seeing the care and joy he brings to their lives, is a glimpse into the incredible father he’s destined to be.

Craig and I are like puzzle pieces that fit together seamlessly. Our strengths and weaknesses complement each other in the most beautiful way. He brings a sense of calm and stability to my life, and his unwavering belief in us is a source of strength. With Craig by my side, I feel like there’s nothing we can’t face together. His kindness, his adventurous spirit, and his capacity for love make him not just an amazing partner, but a future father who will fill our child’s life with boundless love and unforgettable adventures. I’m grateful every day that I found him, and I can’t wait to embark on this incredible journey of parenthood together.

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About Sam

Sam is my favorite person.  He is smart, kind, generous, compassionate, loves his family, and he is empathetic like no one I have ever met.  One of my favorite things about Sam is that he is always thinking about other people.  He will see something small or silly that reminds him of you and he won’t hesitate to surprise you with it at a random time that he knows it will make you feel better.

Sam grew up in a military family and spent most of his younger years moving from place to place around the globe.  He got used to that feeling of inconsistency and change, but he developed the ability to recognize those people in his life that were special and create incredible bonds with them.  His friendships and connections are strong and it is obvious that the people he keeps around feel lucky that they get to be a part of his life.

I see the way Sam fathers our 12-year-old dog and I know how much our child will be loved and cared for.  I see the way he interacts with our nieces and nephew and how he wants to share his experiences and knowledge of the world with them, and I know our child will see Sam as their own personal Indiana Jones.  I see the passion he has for his upbringing and culture, and I know our child will have a worldview that will help them be a more rounded and better person.  I can’t wait to see him be a father and I know it will be his favorite adventure yet.

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How We Met

It was a modern-day romance – with a chance matching up on OK Cupid.  Craig was living in Portland, Oregon and Sam in Seattle, Washington.  After talking for about a month we decided to hang out and see if there was something there.  Our first date was in Portland where we got dinner, went to the Holiday Brew Fest, and went for a hike.  Sparks were there as by our 4^th date we were flying to Thailand. We agreed that travel is kind of the ultimate test of a relationship, so we decided to give it a shot.  We spent 2 weeks island hopping, swimming in crystal blue waters, eating amazing street food, and exploring historic temples.  Needless to say, the rest was history.  We spent the next year driving back and forth on weekends and eventually Craig found a job in Seattle and was able to move up to be with Sam and Loki full time.

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Why We are Choosing to Adopt

We’ve always known that our hearts have more love to give, and adopting a baby feels like the perfect way to expand our family. We understand the ups and downs life can throw, and we want to be a rock-solid support system for a child who needs it. There’s something incredibly special about the idea of providing a stable, loving home where a little one can flourish and be their authentic self. We look forward to all the messy, joyful, and heartwarming moments that come with parenthood. From late-night feedings to first day-of-school jitters, we’re eager to embrace it all. We believe that family isn’t just about blood, but about the bonds of love and care that hold us together. We’re ready to embark on this beautiful journey, and we can’t wait to give a child a place where they’re cherished, understood, and always celebrated.

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Our Home and Neighborhood

We live on the Oregon coast, a beautiful and temperate part of the Pacific Northwest, and are fortunate to have ocean views to the west and mountain views to the east.  We’ve spent the last couple years making our home a little oasis for us and our dog, a 12 year old Norwegian Elkhound named Loki. We wanted a place that we loved to be and a place where we could host family and friends at the beach for fun summer weekends or holiday dinners. We have a big yard that Loki loves. He loves to roll around on his back in the sun and stare up at the sky.  Our garden is also full of different fruits. We have apple trees, blueberry bushes, pear trees, a peach tree and for the first time we have kiwis growing as well!  Each spring we plant a big garden that provides us with fresh veggies and fruits all summer long.  Living on the Oregon Coast we are also surrounded by Salmon Berries, Salal berries, and black berries.  Loki especially loves black berries.  We catch him nibbling them off the vine when he thinks we are not looking.

Our neighborhood is a close-knit community of older couples and families with young kids.  Funny enough, all the other parents in our little cul-de-sac are teachers at the local elementary, middle, and high school so we’re surrounded by educators!  Their kids are all friends and spend their summer days running around playing together in the neighborhood as well as the beach.  We enjoy neighborhood summer BBQs, help each other out when one of us is out of town, always wave or stop and say hi when we pass by a neighbor walking their dog.

Our neighborhood is walkable to miles of beautiful Oregon beaches where we often take our dog on walks to burn off some afternoon energy, look for rocks and fossils, and wind down after a busy weekend.  The town is about a 10-minute drive where there are great places to eat, a strong arts scene, and a close-knit community of people who were born and raised at the beach along with those of us who were drawn in by its amazing beauty.

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Our Lifestyle

Sam works at home as the Senior Director of Marketing for a large national non-profit and Craig works as a Real Estate Broker and accountant for his family’s general contracting business. This provides both of us with flexibility during our day to take care of each other, our pup, and our home. This flexibility will definitely be a huge benefit when we bring a child home as Craig will be able to help with the childcare during the normal workday. Craig’s mom also lives nearby and has spent her golden years helping with childcare for all her grandchildren.

We keep ourselves busy between our day job and house/yard work, but we also put value in taking time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.  One thing that never gets overlooked is having dinner together every evening.  Every week each of us picks a couple new or favorite recipes to try out, often picking something from a region of the world that we would like to learn more about.  It always keeps things interesting and has definitely honed in our culinary skills.

We also love getting out into nature.  Oregon is full of beautiful locations making it easy to jump in the car to check out a new trail, taking the kayaks out on the bay, playing in the tide pools at a local beach, or taking Loki up to the mountains to play in the snow.  Oregon is basically a natural playground, and we never get bored with finding new things to check out.

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Our Vacations

Travel for us is much more than just relaxing on beaches and seeing new places; we make it a priority to learn about the culture while we are there and honor the people whose home we are visiting.   Every year we try to visit at least one new destination.  Sometimes that place is focused on outdoor adventure and sometimes it is exploring museums and ancient temples.  We also have family in South Korea and have started traveling over to spend time with them and further develop those familial ties.  We can’t wait to share our sense of adventure and exploration with our future child.  We believe that a world view and experiencing cultures outside of our own is something we very much want our child to experience.

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Our Family and Friends

Sam is an only child with parents who’ve shared decades of marriage. Despite being miles away from my two best friends in Washington, our friendship has only gotten stronger. One of my friends, a parent of two little ones, will be an invaluable resource as we embark on this new journey. Meanwhile, Craig, coming from a larger family in Oregon, is the youngest of three siblings. His mother, brother, and sister all still live in Oregon, and are excited about the addition to our family through adoption. Craig’s best friends also reside in Washington and Oregon, each with their own young ones. We’re surrounded by a network of support and a wealth of invaluable knowledge. Our community spans the country, and the excitement and love that awaits our future child knows no bounds.

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Our Dog Loki

Loki is a 12-year-old Norwegian Elkhound.  He has big pointy ears, and a curly tail that wags when he is excited. He also has the most expressive eyebrows that tell you exactly what he is thinking.  Loki keeps us on a routine, letting us know exactly when it is 4pm for his afternoon walk, 5pm for dinner, and 10pm for pre-bed play time. Loki loves people and gets very excited when our nieces and nephew come over for a visit to play with him.  He is the sweetest dog and makes friends everywhere he goes.

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Our Traditions

We grew up with many of our own unique family traditions that we look back at fondly, but when we started to celebrate holidays together, we decided it would be fun and meaningful to create our own traditions that were unique to us and our experiences.  One that we started on our first Christmas together was to go out to a tree farm and cut our own tree.  While we decorate, we put on one of our favorite childhood movies, The Goonies, and decorate the tree with ornaments that we purchased from our travels.   Everyone gets a stocking, including Loki, and we stuff the stocking with fun little gifts that we know the recipient will enjoy.  Our favorite stocking of course is Loki’s, who always gets tasty dog treats and a new squeaky toy.  Loki always knows which one is for him and hangs around his stocking until Christmas morning when he can enjoy his new toys and some of his treats.

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Racial and Cultural Diversity

Racial and cultural diversity are invaluable facets of a child’s upbringing. Our family embodies this belief with Sam’s Korean and German heritage, and Craig’s German and Norwegian background. We recognize the richness that comes from embracing different cultures, and we want our child to grow up with a deep curiosity and genuine appreciation for the tapestry of human experiences. It’s about fostering empathy and understanding, allowing them to connect with people from all walks of life. We firmly believe that by nurturing an environment that celebrates the heritage of their birth families, our child will develop a strong sense of identity, pride, and a profound respect for their roots. This foundation will empower them to navigate the world with an open heart and an inclusive mindset, allowing them to become a better world citizen.

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Our Promise to You

We’re committed to showering your child with love and support, no matter what life throws their way. We’ll be there to celebrate their victories, whether it’s acing a test or scoring a goal, and we’ll stand by their side through any challenges they encounter. We’ll prioritize education, fostering a love for learning and exploring their passions. Creativity and self-expression will be celebrated, allowing them to flourish into their authentic selves. We’ll instill values of empathy, kindness, and respect, ensuring they navigate the world with compassion and understanding. Additionally, we’ll ensure they know their roots, sharing their unique story and heritage so they can take pride in where they come from. Above all, we’ll nurture them to be honest, free-thinking individuals who trust their own instincts and bravely forge their own path in life. Your child will grow up with a sturdy foundation of love, trust, and encouragement to carry them through life’s adventures.