Chris & Shara

About Chris

I grew up in Ojai California, a sleepy, out-of-the-way town in the hills above Ventura. I went to college in Rhode Island at Johnson & Wales University and majored in Finance. I work in the Finance department for a Non-Profit organization. My job allows me to work from home and have a very flexible schedule which gives me lots of time to devote to a child.

I enjoy writing fiction, reading (sci-fi & fantasy mostly), video games, and YouTube. I am also a history nerd. When I read or consume non-fiction, it is usually history, with a dash of philosophy. I hope to publish a book one day and center my work life around creativity. I’m also into all things space, pictures, science, exploration, spacecraft, etc.

Sports, are a large part of my identity. I play golf and tennis and watch a lot of baseball, hockey, and football. I love rooting for my teams and I hope to bring a child along for the joy of sports fandom. Shara and I have talked about this, but something I look forward to is the first time a child asks me to play catch. I will probably cry, and they won’t know why, but I look forward to telling them what that moment means to me.

About Shara

I grew up in Ventura, California, a town just off the beach in Southern California. I love the water, and was a certified junior lifeguard starting at age 12. My parents and I traveled all over the country, to Mexico and Hawaii starting when I was very young. We would camp and go backpacking in the mountains. I love the outdoors and nature. There is something very special about fresh mountain air and the scent of pine trees.

I studied photography in college, and started my own photography business for a number of years. I love capturing life’s special moments, and the beauty around us. I love decorating for the holidays and bringing beauty to a space.

Dance is also a large part of my identity. I love to get swept up in the music and movement. It’s a fun way to express myself. I was a gymnast for 11 years when I was young, and then transitioned into dance.

I look forward to sharing my love of the world, travel, and enjoyment of music with a child. To see their face light up with excitement when they experience something new for the first time will be amazing.

About Shara from Chris

Shara is one of the most attentive people I have ever known. She has taught me the value of conversation and talking about the peaks and valleys of life in order to make future days better. Shara has big dreams, she wants to see the world and this pushes me out of my comfort zone, which is a good thing. Shara sets the example of what a healthy adult relationship with your parents looks like.
I love that we have gone through our journey to start a family together. All the hope and all the tears, we are hand-in-hand and never let the bad days undermine our love.

About Chris from Shara

Chris is one of the most patient and supportive people I have ever known. He thinks through situations so that he can see and understand how the other person is feeling and what they need. He is patient with me when I need time to think through feelings. He has been my rock through tough times, and still makes me feel loved every day.
Chris makes me laugh, even when I’m low. He brings light and playfulness to everything. We have fun together no matter what we are doing. I love that he dances with me. He learned how to dance just for me, and has fun with it too. It means a lot to me that I can always count on Chris to be honest and follow through. He is a man of integrity, and I am so excited see him become a father.

Home / Community

We live in Ventura County in the southern part of California. Ventura is 90 minutes north of Los Angeles. Our home is a 3-bedroom condo located in a mostly quiet neighborhood that is quite diverse in age and race. We live 2 miles from the ocean, and we get a nice ocean breeze that makes its way up our street. In our neighborhood, we have a small park with a children’s playground and a separate open picnic area.
In the larger neighborhood, we have two full-size parks with soccer and baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, and large playgrounds for kids with slides, swings, and jungle gyms. There is a great school in our neighborhood and there is a high school a 3 min drive away. We look forward to running, playing and exploring the outdoors with our future child.

Occupations

Chris works in the finance department for a local Non-Profit that helps youth, and their families get the services they need for mental health, crisis care and education. Shara works as a supply coordinator for a company that installs and manages audio systems in commercial spaces. Chris works in an office 15 min from home and Shara works from home. The plan is to have Shara take leave right away then Chris will take leave after that. After our work leaves are done, Chris will start working from home 2 days a week. Chris is a morning person and Shara is a night Owl. Between the two of us, we will be awake and available for child care almost around the clock.

Parenting

We want to provide a loving home for a child. We want to pass on our joy of travel, dance, sports and games while learning what it is that makes our child who they are. We want to make them aware of who they are and where they come from. We will be open with them about their biological family and leave the door open for ongoing and future contact.

We want our child to see joy in the little things. We want to dance in the living room and run to the mailbox. We want to take the time to slow down and appreciate what is around us. We want to share in the challenges of life and provide space where it’s needed and talk about how our child feels when they are ready to talk. We want to be aware of our child’s interests and foster an environment that gives them the opportunity to find what they love and who they are.

Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to get to know us and helping us create the precious gift of family! You will forever have a special place in our life's.