PairTree

Sarah & Ben

Home Study

Home study approvedApproved

Adoption Professional

Open Adoption & Family Services

Social Media

Photograph of adoptive Family

Sarah

Neighbor

Gender:

Female

Status:

Home study has been approved

State:

Oregon

Religion:

None

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree

Profession:

Nonprofit/Philanthropy

Political Affiliation:

Lean Left

Ben

Gender:

Male

Status:

Home study has been approved

State:

Oregon

Religion:

None

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree

Profession:

Communications

Political Affiliation:

Independent

decorative thumbnail image
Hello!

Hi! We are Sarah, Ben and Trix. Thank you for taking the time to read our letter. We are a loving couple of 15 years (and a 13+ dog) who live in Oregon. We have thoughtfully approached our decision to become parents through adoption, and we are so excited to start a family through open adoption. We met in our early 20s when we lived in Washington, DC. A few years later we took a big leap, adopted our beloved dog Trix, and moved across the country. It ended up being one of the best decisions of our lives, as we are now happily settled into our new home in the Pacific Northwest with meaningful careers and a great circle of friends. Sarah (as written by Ben) is the most energetic, hilarious person. She brings life to every relationship she enters, be it her work with local nonprofits, her friends, or our relationship at home. She will be such a good mom because she cares deeply about the people in her life. She is honest, empathetic, and will drop everything to help the people close to her. Ben (as written by Sarah) is incredibly thoughtful, kind, and patient. No matter what’s going on, he has a very steady presence that makes people feel reassured that everything will be ok. I love how he is a curious person who always wants to learn new things. Ben already has the dad jokes ready to go, and he will be a patient, caring dad and a wonderful source of support for this child and our family. Trix is a lazy old lady who has calmed down quite a bit from wilder puppy days but still likes to play. Together, we love to travel, hike in the Pacific Northwest, watch scary movies and comedies, and spend time with our friends and family. We love cooking because we love to bring people together over food. Through our careers, we are active members in the community. Sarah’s work involves helping donors connect with good causes and nonprofits to support, which puts her in touch with many community groups. Ben works for the Oregon state government where he gets to participate in many aspects of Oregon’s public services. We welcome the chance for a child to have more family who love them through the open adoption process. Expanding our concept of family is beautiful because all family relationships are complex. Sarah grew up in an Italian American family where many adults with different relationships were all considered family. We grew up in homes where extended family and friends were always part of our celebrations. We are excited to raise a child in an open, supportive family structure as we take on the responsibility of raising a kind, compassionate child. We have a warm, welcoming home with so much love and energy to share with a child, and our extended family and friends are also looking forward to embracing and supporting us. We both prioritize family and look forward to being devoted parents who will always put our child first. Thank you for considering us.

Sarah & Ben

Sarah traveling in Mexico

Sarah traveling in Mexico

Ben & Trix

Ben & Trix

Ben & Sarah at a friend's wedding.

Ben & Sarah at a friend's wedding.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the night sky?

How small humans are and how much is out there in the universe.

-Sarah

In five years our relationship with our child’s birth mother will…

be something unique and dependent on all of us to create together.

-Sarah

My best friend would describe me as...

Expressive, funny, and caring

-Sarah

If you had to pick a famous person to play you in a movie, who would it be?

I've been told I look like a young Tim Robbins

-Ben

Ben & Sarah traveling in Rome

Ben & Sarah traveling in Rome

My favorite place in the World is...

the Big Island of Hawai'i

-Sarah

What is the best word to describe our family?

Small but very close.

-Ben

If I could choose one type of food to eat for the rest of my life, it would be:

Mashed potatoes.

-Sarah

I'm super competitive when it comes to...

Board games and trivia

-Sarah

My best friend would describe me as...

Steady and supportive. I got the nick name Ben-zen at work because I am always calm in a crisis. And my close friends know that I've always got their back.

-Ben

Do you consider yourself religious or spiritual?

I am not religious but I do believe there are things we can't explain and respect spirituality of others.

-Sarah

If you had to live on an RV or sailboat for the rest of your life, which would it be?

Sailboat

-Sarah

My philosophy on parenting is...

Lead with love and acceptance always.

-Sarah

We are the best choice because…

It's hard to say we are the BEST choice. I can confidently say we are loving, open, dedicated people who prioritize relationships.

-Sarah

Three years from now, I hope our child’s birth mom is…

safe, healthy, and in a good place.

-Sarah

Favorite season and why?

Summer! I love sunshine and hate being cold.

-Sarah

Complete the sentence, “I can’t live without……”

carbs.

-Sarah

If you had to pick a famous person to play you in a movie, who would it be?

Minnie Driver or Natasha Lyonne

-Sarah

Dogs or cats?

Both! I love all animals.

-Sarah

Favorite season and why?

The fall. When the weather starts to turn and it's time to get cozy inside, I start to get excited about the holidays.

-Ben

Dogs or cats?

Both! I love animals.

-Ben