Bill& Archie

THANK YOU for taking the time to get to know us! To discover the path that lead us to the words found on these pages and hear what our hopes and dreams are for the child that you are bringing into this world.

As Archie is adopted himself, we know the loving decision that you are making and we have such admiration and re- spect for you. We are excited to start a family and adding a new set of feet to go pitter patter around the house, so we do hope that you consider us in your child’s future. We hope you see among these pages a true partnership and a couple who very much wants to be Dads.

I hope we get the chance to meet, as we would love to learn more about you and hear your hopes and dreams for your little one. Whatever decision you make, trust in your heart it will be the right one for you and your child. That might sound cliche, but it’s a truth that Archie knows very well to be true - and one he hopes to explain to a little one of our own someday soon. This IsUS We met on Facebook! True story. A “like” of a post in a group we were both ran- domly members of led to our life together today.

Funny story: Bill is really bad at flirting, or so Archie thought, so Archie sent him a “Do you like me? Choose A,B,C or D mes- sage” to see if he was interested. Needless to say, Bill chose “C - I like you, too”.

When we first met, Archie lived in Virgin- ia and Bill lived in Mississippi. We made a long distance relationship work for more than two years, believing that our love was greater than the distance between us. The greatest part about the long distance was that we learned to communicate very well as communication was all we had. Bill moved to Virginia in 2015 when he was hired in the athletic department at a local university. We rented a house for a year and then moved into a brand new home we built in October of 2016.

For both of us, having children has never been a “maybe” but always a “it will hap- pen, we just don’t know when.” We are ready to open our home and our lives and share the love that we have both been so freely given. MeetArchie

I was adopted by my parents, Wayne and Sandra, when I was 22 months old. Five years after they brought me home, my mother gave birth to my only brother, Micah.

As a teenager, I was very involved in cho- rus, was a member of the High School band, and volunteered as a peer mentor. When I was a senior in high school my entire town helped raise money for the high school band to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

After graduation, I attended a University in Birmingham, Alabama where I majored in music education/vocal performance. During college, I was very active in A Cappella Choir, Student Activities Council, Student Govern- ment Association, Sigma Phi Epsilon Frater- nity and was a varsity cheerleader. .

Upon graduation, I taught high school for one year, and then moved to New York City to pursue my dream of being a performer. Over the next seven years, I sang and danced my way around the world performing in Broadway, regional and national tours of “Rent”, “Oklahoma”, “42nd Street” and was the lead male vocalist on three Norwegian Cruise Lines.

As an adult, I went back to graduate school and obtained a degree in Higher Education Administration, and also served that school in their Dean of Student’s Ofce as the As- sistant Director of Student Activities. I have worked in the field of higher education since 2013.

Life has not always been easy for me, with as many valleys as there were mountains. But in the tough times, I’ve always had a faith that there was something bigger than me that was there to support me. I believe that as an adopted child myself I will be able to support my child along their journey on this thing called life. MeetBill

I am the oldest of two children, born to Bill and Janis and raised in a small, rural town in north Florida.

Since it was the same town my father and paternal grandparents were born and raised in, I grew up around several members of my extended family. My mother, who is from Mississippi, also had family nearby when her sister and children moved within an hour of us before I was born.

Both parents taught school and encouraged learning, reading and exploration from an early age. I would read encyclopedias to pass time when not with friends exploring the woods surrounding our home. Living in a neighborhood with lots of children who attended the same school and church, it was common to have friends flowing in and out of the house at all times and actively encour- aged by my parents.

Growing up, I competed in sports ranging from football to baseball and tennis. We grew up near a lake and often went swim- ming and skiing, while also spending many days at the beach with friends and family. I also played the piano and was active in the marching band, playing the saxophone for several years before switching to the tuba. I also competed in the school’s quiz bowl competition and was active in numerous student organizations.

I went to college on scholarship and was a member of the Honors College while ma- joring in History and Journalism. I was also sports editor for the school newspaper, a member and ofcer in our fraternity - Sigma Phi Epsilon, marched in the band and volun- teered in the athletics department. I also was active in student government.

Upon graduation, I completed one year of graduate studies before returning to work in public relations and media relations for the athletics department at the collegiate level. Bill OurHome

We just built a brand new home in October of 2016! Designing the home was fun and the one thing we both agreed on from the very beginning was a red door to welcome all of our neighbors to our home.

We live about 15-minutes outside of Charlot- tesville, Virginia. The best thing about not living in the city is that when you go outside at night, we can see stars and fireflies.

We have a large fenced in backyard for our fur babies and can’t wait for a little one to be able to run and play in the grass out back. OurFur Babies

Together we have four fur-babies.

Our oldest Jackson, is a greyhound mix and is never far from Bill’s side; Peggy is a black lab who follows Archie around all over the house; Ella, short for Elegant, is a chihuahua and is our independant pup; and, the new- est addition, Adora, short for Adorable, is a seven-month old chihuahua. All our dogs are around children of all sizes often and are favorites of the neighborhood children. They can’t wait to have a little one of their own to watch over.

Jackson

Peggy

Ella Adora Fur Babies WhatWe Do Today, Archie serves as the director of a large non-profit in the higher education sector creating and deploying curriculum to volunteers of the organization. He also is often hired as a professional speaker for colleges and universities, traveling around the country empowering young people everywhere to strive to become the best versions of themselves.

Bill works in Media and Public Relations for the athletics department at a local university - specifically serving as the press agent and historian for the women’s soccer, men’s wrestling and women’s tennis teams.

Through that job, he gets to travel the country with stu- dent-athletes to competitions, publicizing and chroni- cling their achievements, being a supportive voice and shoulder through their losses and working with them to learn how to handle the spotlight and joys or heart- break that come with both success and failure on a very public stage. OurCommunity

We live in a small community in Virginia located outside of Charlottesville. While we like the more rural setting of our actual neighborhood because it allows the neighborhood children to ride their bikes and run freely from home to home in the afternoons and weekends, we’re part of a metropolitan area of 250,000 people that is home to the top public university in America - the University of Virginia.

On our drive into town, we pass the homes of two of America’s first five Presidents. A third is less than 20 minutes north of our home. It’s a town that provides and values education, a strong sense of community and opportunity for entertainment ranging from perfor- mance art to athletics.

We think it is a wonderful place to raise a child. OurFamilies

Bill’s parents have been married for 47 years and both still live in his hometown in Florida. They are both retired and have plenty of time and love to invest in a grandchild joining the family. Bill’s sister, Jane Carole, also lives in Florida and is still single but excited about the chance to become an aunt. Bill and his sister are close and share a love of music, sports, reading and film.

Archie’s parents, Wayne and Sandra (also known as G and Gram to the grandchildren) both still live in Alabama and have been married for 46 years. They are both retired and are excited about another grandchild to spoil. Archie’s brother, Micah, is married to a college professor, Haley, and they have two precious daughters, Lottie and Josie. Archie’s favorite way to spoil his nieces is by sending them each 25 Christmas presents. One to open every day up until Christmas. TheHolidays

Holidays in our house are already in full swing. Archie has several closets and a dresser in the garage that is full of nothing but decorations. The towels on the stove and in the bathroom change with every holiday, the windows are filled with decals each time the seasons change, and blinking garden animals adorn the front and the back of the house.

Archie shops all year long for Christmas and has gifts hidden all over the house. Bill’s Mom made a set of Charlie’s Brown Christmas wooden figures to go in the front of the house and each year there is a new charac- ter added. While we live in Virginia, it’s important to be a part of family. Every Christmas begins a trip through the South as we head to Alabama for time with Archie’s extended family before continuing down through Florida for time with the Bill’s extended family. Our TravelsThroughout the course of our lives, we have been fortunate to be able to travel across the United States and around the world. Whether it be through study abroad opportunities, touring as a performer aboard a cruise line, traveling as part of a performance choir or just sharing some of our favorite spots and finding new plac- es with each other...traveling is something we enjoy. It’s also something we can’t wait to do with a child and see the joy and wonder on their face as the world continues to open up around them while they see and experience new things.

Some of our favorite places have been a trip to see the natural beauty of Maine, the magical wonder of Dis- ney World, the majestic charm of Europe, a week at the beach with some amazing friends who are as close as brothers ... and even a stop with penguins in Antarctica. OurFriends and what they say about us...... Chris says... I have known Archie since my first day of college, some 23 years ago. Archie has one of the most compassionate hearts of anyone I know. I have witnessed it in his interactions with random people in Germany, an old man on the street, my parents, and youth of every age. He has a unique ability to connect with virtually anyone. That ability puts people at ease, allows them to be genuine, and we love him for it. He has amazing internal strength and has risen above difcult circumstances that would have claimed most. I have always admired his strength and compassion, but perhaps what I admire most about Archie is his fearlessness to be proud and true to who he is as a man.

I have known Bill for about 17 years, and can say that he and Archie are perfect match for each other. They strengthen each other’s positive attributes and balance each other. I have been blessed with two wonderful parents, and if I was a new little life preparing to enter the world, I would choose Archie and Bill to be my parents. That would make me the luckiest baby on earth. They will love and support, care and protect, and encourage and guide their child to be a loving, successful, compassionate Suzette says... individual. I have known Archie for nine years, though it seems like forever. Over the years, Arch and I became the best of friends. He was with me when I met my hus- band, Chris, for the first time. Now, in fairness, he did ask whether Chris played for his team or mine. We laughed. Archie vetted Chris at a Chili’s, grilling him to make sure he was “good enough” for “his Suz”. Demonstrating a nature of care, concern, and protec- tiveness.

Certainly, in the last nine (9) years, there have been times where Archie and I have struggled in our friendship--that is the natural course of things. You see I have never been the person to have “lifelong friends”. However, Archie’s diferent. He found a way to get into my life--stood by me as my Dude of Honor at my wedding, flew into be with me when my Dad passed away 3 months after I was married, and comforted me when Chris and I miscarried. Archie & Bill are integral parts of Chris & my life together. It is now time that they expand their family beyond their fur-babies to a little human. We know that they will create a loving home and provide a life of support, no matter what challenges are thrown their way. and what they say about us...... Seth says... I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Archie and Bill for the better part of the last decade. Our relationship began in a work setting but quickly developed into a deep friendship.

I wholeheartedly believe Archie and Bill would make great parents.

Archie is one of the best teachers, mentors, and coaches I know. He gives 100% to everything he does and invests himself in the countless friends that are drawn to his charisma and passion. He’s funny, creative, and above all else, one of the most caring people I know.

Bill has all the qualities of a great dad. He’s patient, compassionate, intelligent, and values-driven. He seeks to understand before being understood and develops genuine relationships with everyone he comes in con- tact with.

Together, Bill and Archie, are the complete “parent package.” They bring diferent strengths to the table and I’ve enjoyed watching them push each other to im- prove personally and professionally. Any child would be lucky to live, learn, and grow with Archie and Bill. Wendy says... I met Archie during my first few days as a freshman in college. Archie had a larger-than-life personality and made an immediate impression on everyone he encountered. Little did I know at that time that 23 years later, he would still be such a big part of my life.

We have discussed the fact that adoption can be a long process, but I have always known in my heart that, as an adoptee, himself, this was a road that Archie would willingly travel. I believe that Archie has the capacity to not only love an adopted child but to empathize in a way that even the most wonderful adoptive parents cannot.

As I sit here typing with my now ten month miracle “helping”, I am overjoyed that my friends will soon begin this amazing journey. Their child will have, not only two loving fathers, but also two sets of doting grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a network of extended family by choice who will be waiting to meet him or her with open hearts and open arms. OurFriends and what they say about us...... Jeremy says... I have had the privilege of being able to call Bill my friend since 1998, when we first met in college. We were fraternity brothers and both stayed in town for our jobs. We worked together as advisors for our old fraternity where we took a personal interest in the student’s lives, encouraged them and helped guide them to their goals.

Since day one of knowing Bill, I have seen amazing charac- teristics that few people show and especially on a consis- tent level. Bill is very caring and protective of those around him. Bill is honest at all times and is always available to listen.

I was honored to have Bill as one of my groomsmen on my wedding day. He has always been someone who I could trust. Throughout the almost 20 years we’ve known each other, he was there to give me amazing advice and also there with a listening heart.Bill has a way to say the perfect thing to give someone peace and confidence. These are some of the attributes that has made him one of my dear- est friends and some traits that I know he will pass down to his children one day.

I am so excited that Bill and Archie are together. It’s an honor and a privilege to be apart of their lives. My wife and I have gone on trips together with both Bill and Archie, and I look forward to the day our kids can play together and become close friends like Bill and myself. Their future child will no doubt be loved, feel loved, and shown love every day of their lives.

It’s been amazing to watch Bill find love with Archie and I’m so excited to watch them find love together in an amazing child who they will cherish every moment. Jane Carole says... I feel like I have always known my big brother, Bill, will make an amazing dad. He is one of - if not the - most thoughtful, self-sacrificing, supportive, encour- aging, and protective people I have ever known.

These characteristics I have seen both as his little sis- ter and someone honored to call him my best friend. With Archie, you can see the love between the two and the combination that will provide not only a sta- ble, loving, and emotionally-nourishing life but also one full of creativeness & whimsy.

One day my child will be blessed with these two as uncles but nothing will compare to what they will create for their own child. and what they say about us...... Jessica says... When I think of what it takes to be a good parent, the words loving, kind, stern and sense of humor immedi- ately come to mind. I know that it obviously takes an abundance of other stuf but these words and phrases seem to stick out in my mind. Without a shadow of a doubt Bill and Archie have all of these things and both were blessed with a little more than the average person when it comes to love, kindness and a sense of humor. I can’t really think of two people that are more deserving of being parents than these two. If you spend just five minutes with either of them you will understand. Archie and Bill can make you feel like you’ve been friends with them forever with one “hello”, they can turn a bad day into a good one with one hug or squeeze of the shoul- der and they can make someone’s life meaningful and fulfilling just by being themselves.

Children don’t need parents who can provide them every single material thing they want, they don’t need parent’s who can send them to the finest schools or keep them in designer clothes with the latest on-trend gadget. What kids need are parent’s who will love them unconditionally, who will teach them to be good peo- ple, who will help them understand that life isn’t always fair and most of all will teach them that laughter really is the best medicine. Bill and Archie are these parents and any child or children that get to call them Dad will be blessed beyond measure. Brandon says... A lot of people have come and gone in my life over the past 16 years, but Bill has been one of the few constants.

What makes the longevity of our friendship even more special and amazing is that we’ve never lived anywhere near each other. I guess when you have someone special in your life, you do whatever it takes to keep that person around. Bill is definitely that person.

He is someone I enjoy having in my life and someone I can’t imagine living my life without. He’s gotten me through some rough times and will probably get me through several more before it’s all said and done. He’s an amazing man and probably the most honest, caring person I’ve ever met.

He’s going to make a great father to some special kid. And I can’t wait for him to start that new chapter of his life. ThankYOU

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us. We hope you have been able to see the loving and caring home that we would love to create for your child. We have a strong foundation to be loving parents, loving friends and family ready to love and spoil a little one, and strong fnancial resources.

In closing, we PROMISE to…

Love, protect and encourage your child... Share openly of ourselves... Stand by them, no matter what decisions they make... Tell them the story of their adoption and what their story is... Provide them with a great education... Always remember the choice you made in choosing us And honor that blessing by giving unselfshly of ourselves to your child, forever.