Adoption has been on our minds and part of our discussions even before we faced fertility challenges. Jamie herself is proud to be adopted, and many cousins have also been adopted. Including Jamie's god-daughter, who was adopted through Gladney. When we visit family we see the joy in parents, siblings, and children for those adopted and those not. We celebrate adoption in our extended family.

Our first date was in London's Covent Garden. We had found each other online, bonding quickly over our shared love of board games, Star Wars, and American Food. One date turned into many and within a few months Jamie was meeting Matt's friends and family, and Matt attended Jamie's United Kingdom Citizenship Ceremony.

Within a year we moved in together in a town outside London. Our families met on a trip to the United States, and at Christmas that year Matt proposed. A few months later the United Kingdom went into a strict lockdown for the pandemic; and we managed to survive both Covid and each other, all while also surviving Matt's challenging PhD journey.

We married in 2021 and relocated to the United States, arriving in 2022 to a warm and loving welcome from Jamie's family. At the end of 2022, we welcomed the addition of a dog into our family.

Highlights:

• Met in London
• First Date in 2017
• Married in 2021
• Moved to USA, 2022

Strengths:

• Balance of personalities and social skills
• Supportive and respectful
• View relationship as true partnership
• Find joy in the small things

in Jamie's words

From the moment I connected with Matt I felt like I had hit the jackpot. His patience is near superhero quality, and he is one of the most intelligent people I know. Matt is an incredible listener, inherently knowing when a shoulder or solution is needed to the problem. He seems to know what someone needs before they do, appearing with coffee at the right moment on a stressful day. His deep loyalty is reflected back to him from friends and family. He exhibits wonderful traits of his humble background, being the first in his family to attend University.

Matt's Background

• Born and raised in the United Kingdom
• Comes from farming families
• First in his family to attend university
• Values education and experience equally
• Boy Scout & Leader
• Joined Archery Club in University, and became a coach
• Has a Masters & PhD
• Career in Research Engineering and works from home

Matt Enjoys

• Mentoring and teaching
• Kayaking
• Hiking
• Cooking and Baking
• Board Games
• Do-it-Yourself Tasks
• Tea
• Beer Brewing
• Learning German

in Matt's words

Ever since I found Jamie, I've thought myself uniquely blessed. She is everything she needs to be, while still being everything she wants to be. Her intelligence and dedication let her conquer every obstacle, and her kindness and outgoing nature see her surrounded by friends in so many different countries. Wherever she goes, people remember her for all the right reasons, and I'm so happy to have found my place by her side.

Jamie's Background

• Born and raised in Massachusetts
• Adopted as an infant
• Lived 10 years in the United Kingdom
• Comes from a family of Greek immigrants
• Only child, but close with extended family and cousins
• Attended University and has Bachelor's Degree
• Career in Technology Consulting and works from home

Jamie Enjoys

• Lake life - swimming, kayaking, etc.
• Trivia Nights
• Nintendo Video Games
• Traveling and learning about cultures
• Reading in a cozy spot or on the lake
• Watching the Red Sox
• Time with family and friends

We are fortunate to enjoy two homes, each suited to its location.

For winter we have a house in a fantastic town with a great school system. It has plenty of room for our family and is large enough to enable us to host relatives and friends. It's situated on a wooded lot with a spacious yard. Located in a child-friendly neighborhood, and within a mile of the elementary school, that Jamie attended.

We enjoy cozy nights by the fire, dinners out in the nearby city, and excursions to the nearby mountains.

When warmer weather comes, we relocate to our lakeside condo. It is smaller than our house but offers lots of fun outdoor activities - a pool, a beach, a large shared green space, the lake, and our kayaks. We hope to add a boat in the near future. The community is friendly and supportive, with many children of all ages.

We enjoy early morning kayaking, lazy beach days, creating new recipes for the grill, and the fun lake vibes.

Sandford is incredibly sweet and gentle. When we adopted him we chose him due to the breeder's description, which remains true:

Sandford will play until he's tired and then wants to cuddle.

He is a 2-year-old Schnoodle-Poodle and Schnauzer mix. He's unbelievably quiet, very gentle, and loves to be loved.

He regularly plays with our friend's children. Our neighbor's granddaughter regularly asks for him to come out and play.

Jamie is blessed with a very large family. All her ancestors immigrated from Greece to the United States in the early 1900s. Greek culture is the core of their identity. Family reunions are frequent, especially around Orthodox Easter and Christmas.

Jamie's family are active in our lives. Her aunt and mother live within 5 minutes from our woodland home. Jamie lost her father when she was in her 20s, but he remains a strong presence in our lives. And we remain close to her paternal cousins and extended family. Many years later, Jamie's mother remarried, and we have extended our family even further.

Traditions

• Large family reunions
• Close ties to family still in Athens, Greece
• Late candlelight church service on Easter
• Attend Greek festivals
• Regular trips to step-family's lake house in New Hampshire
• Sharing recipes and meals
• Outdoors activities with closest aunt and uncle
• Pancake trips with step-family

Matt's family hails from farming families in England, who have moved only a few miles in the last 800 years. While neither of Matt's parents wanted to continue the farming tradition, they are still involved with farming life through other family members.

Matt's family is much smaller than Jamie's, yet still just as willing to get together for a meal or special occasion.

We see them regularly when we visit England, and have the pleasure of hosting them at least twice a year in the USA when they visit. They are very active in our lives.

Traditions

• Saturday morning video phone calls with Matt's Mom
• Sunday lunch with family
• Parents visit the US twice a year
• We visit England twice a year
• "Cream Tea", a traditional afternoon meal with scones
• Travel and adventures with Matt's parents in England and New England
• Hold family values closely

We see our friends as chosen family, with many long and lasting friendships that span decades.

Both of us have friends in a variety of places, within the USA and across Europe. Jamie's oldest friends have been with her since they wore diapers, having grown up together in the lake condo where we spend our summers. Jamie also has many friends from her years in the United Kingdom whom she remains close with. She regularly visits Belgium and the Netherlands to see her friends and their families.

Matt's friends mainly come from his University days. They regularly visit Matt when we travel to the United Kingdom, and often come to stay with us in the USA. Even when we're not on the same continent we play various games online to keep in close touch with one another.

Jamie and Matt enjoy their relaxed life together, taking in everything New England has to offer. Spring and summer months are spent swimming and kayaking on a lake, while winter involves staying cozy in the snow as Jamie tries to convince Matt to go skiing. Whatever the weather, Jamie and Matt love going to new places, and taking breaks from work to visit quiet towns and villages with Sandford.

Our Hobbies

• Traveling to experience new foods and culture Visiting MLB Stadiums, aiming to see them all Cooking and refining new recipes
• Board Games
• Walking in the outdoors with Sandford
• Do-It-Yourself & Crafting
• Hosting friends and family

We may not always get it right, but we'll parent with love, care, and unwavering patience.

Love & Support

• Unconditionally loved and supported.
• Shower your child with affection.
• Patient and compassionate.

Education

• Offer them every educational opportunity.
• Nurture their curiosity.
• Help them to become confident and kind.

Culture

• We will embrace what makes your child unique.
• We will teach them to respect and appreciate different cultures.
• We will honor their background and heritage.

Family

• Your child will be welcomed warmly into our families.
• They will have a strong, supportive family foundation.
• Adoption is common in our family, and they will share this with cousins.

We will ensure that they know you are on the first page of their story.