Welcome! Meet:

Chuck + Paige

US Navy / Lawyer

California

Caucasian

All About Chuck & Paige
Why Adoption?
Gallery
Family and Home
How We Met
Advice to Future Child
Perspectives on Open Adoption
Favorites

All About Chuck & Paige

We are a southern California family who enjoys soaking up the California sunshine with Chuck’s 12-year-old son and our two pups. Chuck has served in the Navy for 17 years and plans to retire from service when he reaches the 20-year mark. Paige is an appellate attorney who represents veterans who have been denied their benefits. Being together is one of the most important things to us, and we enjoy spending our days at the beach (or enjoying any type of water really), having family movie nights with lots of popcorn, playing board games, trying new restaurants and foods, and exploring our local area. Even when life may get hectic for us, we think that togetherness is the number one priority, and we always have dinner together as a family to decompress and reflect on our days.

As parents, we value creating a home environment where our children feel comfortable being their true selves. It is important to us that our children feel that they do not have to hide their identity from us and that we foster a safe home where they continue to want to come back well into adulthood. Of course, to create this type of environment is a balancing act. We instill the importance of self-appreciation, self-discipline, and resilience, while also creating an understanding that we are always there to support them, providing words of encouragement and a judgment-free zone. Hard work is always rewarded, and losing is taught with grace. Creativity is encouraged, and uniqueness is celebrated. But paramount to it all is that our children know they are loved. In addition, our family values reading. Reading fosters creativity and imagination, but it is also a fundamental skill. We have been reading to Chuck’s son since he was a baby and he continues to share the same passion that we both have.

We have a strong support system that spans the globe. We believe that it takes a village to raise a child, and we would be nowhere without the support from our family and friends. Creating lasting, healthy relationships is imperative for children to see and reflect upon as they grow; we are so lucky to have so many.

Why Adoption?

We know we love being parents, and we have always wanted to grow our family. We did try to have biological children of our own, but were unsuccessful in that endeavor. Adoption for us, though, was never a final resort. We chose to forgo IVF in order to adopt, as we feel that we would rather provide a loving and nurturing home to an infant and be a village to an expectant family in need, than continue down the uncertain path of IVF where so many families spend years without success. To us, our sense of connection and dedication to supporting the community has guided our decision to adopt. It takes a village to raise a child and we believe we can be a part of that village to create a bright and loving future for an adopted child.

Family & Home

We live in a Southern California community that is 10 minutes from the beach! Our neighborhood has many great parks nearby, and the elementary school is less than a block from our house. In our neighborhood, we have a mixture of young families and older couples whose children are grown, but everyone looks out for each other regardless. Every year our neighborhood gets together and has a big 4th of July celebration and it is such a delight getting to see everyone together. Otherwise, year-round round our neighborhood is filled with children playing and riding bikes, especially with the parks so close.

Our community has everything we need right here! All the stores we need are within a 10-minute drive, and we have lots of local restaurants close by as well. Chuck’s work is a 10-minute drive from the house as well, which means more time at home with the family. Paige works remotely. Our local community has a grow up here mentality, and many people stay here or move back because it just feels like home.

Even though we do not live close to our family we maintain close relationships with our parents, siblings and cousins. We talk often and visit as often as we can. We also have many friends who support us and visit often as well!

How others describe me

Chuck describes Paige: Paige is our nurturer. She takes care of all of us, making sure we know we are loved. She provides unwavering love and support, and always encourages us to try our best. It brings a smile to her face to see us together. She is an excellent mother, stepping into a role that had big shoes to fill while I was deployed. In addition to being a great mother, she is a hard worker. Paige always strives for the best, showing us that we can achieve anything we put our minds to. She is a multitasker wearing many hats, but she always switches them flawlessly.

Paige describes Chuck: Chuck is the rock of our family. He provides the strong support we need, always keeping us above water and safe through every storm. Sometimes I get emotional, and Chuck is able to handle every situation with a clear head and positive support. He keeps our family stable and steady. It is a big role. Being a military family has always had challenges, but he reminds us that we will be okay through it all. He is also an amazing father. Parenting a child with ADHD and having to coparent in different situations can be tough, but he always approaches every situation with grace and handles everything like it just comes naturally to him.

How We Met

We met while we were both serving in the U.S. Navy in South Carolina. Our first date was to Applebee’s where Chuck’s son was with us. At the time, he was less than a year old and, like many toddlers do, he made a mess! To conclude our first date, he spilled an entire glass of lemonade, and we could not quite believe the mess he created. We cannot quite remember what we talked about, but it must have been great because we have been inseparable ever since.

Advice to Future Child

We have waited a long time for you, and the world that you are experiencing is drastically different than the world we were raised in, but one thing we know for sure is that we want you to be 100% unapologetically you. We spent too much time growing up attempting to conform to the expectations of others, particularly our parents. Too much time was spent worrying if we were good enough, smart enough, or able enough. We do not ask that you meet our “expectations” of what you should be, because frankly, we won’t be setting any. We hope you find your identity. An identity free from bias, free from expectation, free from what-ifs. You are not us, and we are not you. You are not confined to fit into any particular boxes, but instead are free to spread your wings and soar.

Our advice to you is to find your true passions. Yes, it can be more than one! Find something that excites you and ignites a fire deep within your soul. Love who you want to love, befriend who you want to befriend. Make your connections how you see fit, whether you get married or don’t, have children or not, friends can be family too. We implore you to appreciate the journey of life because the focus on the end goal loses joy in the little things, and sometimes you might find it's the little things that matter most.

Life can be hard, and the journey can be arduous. The world is filled with suffering, and many times it is hard to see past it. Don’t let the complications of life or the difficulties of the world callous your heart. People need empathy now more than ever. That is not to say to be naive, but a little empathy and compassion for others can change the world. Always trust your gut. And please remember, no matter what, we love you today, tomorrow, and always.

Perspectives on Open Adoption

We thoroughly believe in open adoption, not only because of the benefits for the child, but because we think that it takes a village to raise a child, and by having an open adoption, we get to be a part of that village. Plus, the more people who love and care for a child, the better. We understand that every open adoption can look different, especially considering the geographical locations in play, but to us, it's consistent updates (calls/texts/emails), especially when the child is older and can participate in FaceTime/conversation, photos, milestone updates, and visits when able. We understand the importance of boundaries, and it may make our open adoption situation look different when the time comes, versus what we think it will look like.

Favorites

Chuck

Favorite Movie: Ghostbusters
Favorite Holiday/Tradition: I enjoy Thanksgiving. Not only because I get to eat all the delicious food and desserts, but also because I get to spend it with my family. It is special to see my family together and watch my son interact with my siblings and parents while making memories of his own.
Hobbies/Interests: sports, especially baseball! Reading, trivia, grilling, watching movies
Dream Vacation: a beach trip to the Mediterranean coast
If I Could Choose a Superpower: teleporting (no more traffic for me!)

Paige

Favorite Movie: Dirty Dancing
Favorite Holiday/Tradition: Christmas is my favorite holiday. If I had to pick one tradition, it would be getting hot cocoa or hot apple cider and driving around looking at Christmas lights. I remember doing it with my parents as a child, and I like that I get to carry this tradition on.
Hobbies/Interests: reading, going to the beach, trying new hair and makeup styles, making new recipes, and making bracelets
Dream Vacation: a tour of Italy to try all the yummy food
If I Could Choose a Superpower: Super speed, all the chores done in quick time, sounds great!