Hello from San Diego, California! I’m Nicole. I think it is important for you to know how much I respect and admire the choice you are making. What you are doing is such a selfless act and it is clear to me that you have so much love for your child.

I can’t begin to imagine the emotions you might be feeling as you navigate this self-sacrificing decision. I am honored that you have taken the time to learn a little bit about who I am while also considering me to become a part of your journey.

When I started my fertility journey, I wasn’t prepared for the path it would lead me down. I found out early in the process that I might face obstacles due to fertility limitations.

During this time, I learned and reflected on the many ways a family can be created. My biggest dream in life has always been to become a mother, and genetics aren’t what makes a family. Love, patience, trust, and vulnerability make a family.

While my fertility journey was incredibly challenging, it was so meaningful because it guided me right to where I was supposed to be all along. As soon as I started the adoption process, a sense of peace and joy filled my soul.

I have so much love to give and look forward to the day I can share that love with my future child.

Adoption has always been a part of my life. My aunt and uncle adopted their son and my best friend and her husband, recently adopted their daughter. I hope it is comforting to know that your child will have people in their inner circle that are able to support them and relate to them.

My life path has been anything but ordinary, although I know I am not alone when I say those words! My journey has helped to transform me into a very resilient, empathetic, strong woman.

I value the relationships I have with my family and friends, and the confidence I have in the person I have become.

Currently, my life is spent balancing time between teaching, my family and friends, and enjoying activities that bring me happiness. As a child, I was referred to as “the little mother” because I had a natural ability with children and dreamed of being a mom from a very young age. I grew up always playing the teacher role versus the student role when it came to playing “school” with my siblings. From babysitter to nanny to teacher, being connected to and helping educate kids has always been an integral part of my life. Teaching has been my calling; it has allowed me to make a difference in my community, become a lifelong learner; and it also helps to keep me young!

I have been blessed with many supportive, long-lasting friendships, many of whom I met during my Teaching Credential Program. We connect monthly for a Girls Night out, a day at the beach, or the park where the children can play together.

Of my eleven-year teaching career to date, nine of those years I have been teaching 2nd grade. Developing a relationship and classroom community with my ‘kiddos’ is one of my favorite parts of my job. There is nothing better than watching their light bulb moments and seeing their confidence as learners grow. I also enjoy having breaks through the year and summers off so that I am able to travel, spend time with family, and take advantage of what my city offers.

I like to stay active and spend time outside in the fresh air. I enjoy walking the beach, exploring new hiking trails, and attending outdoor yoga classes. While I am not the best dancer, I started taking a dance class and it’s a good thing I am not afraid to be silly and laugh at myself! Speaking of laughing, I love comedy and enjoy attending comedy shows. On weekends I like to try new brunch and coffee spots and there is no shortage of them in San Diego. You can’t go wrong with a breakfast burrito and a vanilla iced latte. After a fun day out, I love to come home and get cozy. My home is my happy place. Reading, binge-watching Netflix favorites, and having friends over to catch up or play games always fills my cup.

I can’t wait to experience San Diego through my future child’s eyes. I envision us strolling over to the lake to feed the ducks, joining my friends and their children at the park and zoo, and having countless summer beach days spent looking for shells, building sandcastles, and running away from the waves. I look forward to living room dance parties, splashing around in the community pool, and snuggles on the big comfy couch. I also get excited thinking about vacationing with my family and watching them spend quality time with cousins, aunties, uncles, and grandparents.

I have been fortunate to travel both near and far. I love weekend getaways close by as well as traveling internationally. So far, I have been to Greece, Poland, Germany, Spain, and Portugal. Italy is next on my bucket list. I love immersing myself in different cultures and the sense of freedom you feel exploring a new destination!

I live in a very safe and quiet townhome community in the neighborhood I grew up in. My townhome has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, and I can’t wait for the day the ‘guest room’ becomes a baby room. My front patio is right in front of a fountain, so enjoying coffee on my front porch is a peaceful way to start the day. There are many families with little ones that play on the grassy areas and enjoy the large community pool. I am walking distance from two of the best schools in the district (one was the school that my siblings and I went to) as well as 2 large parks, a lake, and baseball fields. I have many friends that are just a quick ten-minute drive away. I feel incredibly lucky to live in San Diego because there is so much to do here. Some of my favorite activities are walking the lake or the bay, spending the day at the beach, meeting friends for coffee or brunch, doing yoga on the cliffs, or heading to a comedy show. When my nephews visit, we always make sure to go to the San Diego Zoo and picnic at the parks along the bay.

While my parents divorced when I was young, they both remarried and gave me the best step-siblings; 6 in all. Fun Fact: My stepsister Rebecca and I set our parents up when we were in high school and it worked out!

My family is large, full of personality, and have immense love for one another.

I am incredibly close with my parents. My mom is a nurse, two-time cancer survivor and makes the yummiest dips. My dad is an amazing businessman, poet, and my biggest cheerleader.

My siblings and I have so much fun together. When we were younger, we would play games, sing karaoke, and have pool parties with all our friends! Twenty-plus years later and we still enjoy these activities together.

I love being Aunt Nicole to my 10 nieces and nephews. While I don’t live in the same state as all of them, I soak up every moment I get when I see them. Newborn cuddles, first steps, and baby-babbling has quickly turned into playing at the park, swimming, taking trips to the zoo, and reading books together. My family is extremely supportive and so happy for me to adopt and welcome a new little one into our village. I feel so blessed knowing that if ever I need anything, I am surrounded by people that would drop everything they are doing to help in any way possible.

“Our Aunt Nicole is so silly and makes us feel loved. She runs around and plays with us and is fun to be around.” - Oliver & Griffin (nephews)

“My sister Nicole is hands down one of the most caring, passionate and loving humans I know. She gives her all to what she believes is true. Nicole is supportive of all her friends and family and always makes an effort to let them know that she is behind them in everything they do.” - Kellie (sister)

“She always makes me smile and laugh. She is pretty and nice and I know she loves me.” - Yehuda (nephew)

It is hard to share only the written word with you and not the emotions that go along with these words. I hope in some way they are resonating and I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my introduction, some of my life’s story, and my feelings about motherhood. The child that I am fortunate enough to raise will be cherished and loved; will have a wonderful education; be confident, a good friend, and a loving human being. You will have every reason to be proud of the decision you made and I will be so honored and blessed that you made that decision.