I (Mandy) found out that I wouldn't be able to become pregnant when I was 16 years old. In order to wrap my head around what this would mean down the road, my mom and I related it to the show Friends. I could either be a Monica and adopt, or have a Phoebe through surrogacy. When Chris and I first started dating, I let him know on one of our first dates that I would not be able to have biological children. He was extremely supportive and accepting from the start! We talked about this more and more throughout the years, and we always veered towards growing our family through adoption. As we started doing more research, we learned stories of family members' connections to Gladney and adoption. Chris's older half-sister is a birth mom. She made an adoption plan with her first baby at an early age through Gladney. We found out last year that Chris' grandmother (who had recently passed away) had been a transition home for infants through Gladney. Everywhere we turned, we spoke with more and more people who were adopted or were going through the adoption process. This assured us that we were making the right choice for us in this moment of time.
Quick Facts
Amanda
- Age: 32
- Race/Ethnicity: White
- Religion: Christian
Chris
- Age: 30
- Race/Ethnicity: White
- Religion: Christian
Preferences for a child
- Newborn to 1 year of age, 1 to 3 years of age
- Either
- Twins, Triplets or more
- All
- Open to discussion
Post Adoption Contact / Level of Openness
- (open to an in-person visit before adoption placement, phone, email, sharing pic/letters after placement)
- If you want a more closed adoption, we would honor that request as well.
- * A Caseworker to work with you throughout your pregnancy
- * Counseling
- * Medical Care
- * Maternity-related financial support
- * Legal services
- * Lifelong support through a Post Adoption team.
Favorites
Mandy is obsessed with polka dots. You can find polka dots around the house and in a good chunk of her clothes in their closet.
Mandy and Chris love baseball and Mandy forces Chris to go to at least one game every time the NY Yankees are in town.
Mandy and Chris love the beach. Mandy and Chris visit her family's beach house every summer.
Chris loves board games and has collected many throughout the years. Mandy and Chris love to spend their nights playing board games or cards.
Mandy and Chris live across from a lake and love to venture out on their boat each weekend.
Recommendations
Lisa Simpson, Friend
" Mandy and Chris are one of the most caring couples I know. They are both warm and welcoming people. Amanda is selfless and compassionate. She always knows what to say or do to make a friend feel special and loved. When you are having a bad day she will be right there to cheer you up. Chris is the most fun loving and goofy in the best way. He is always smiling or trying to make others smile. I cannot think of a better couple to welcome a child into their lives. "