Waiting Family Profiles

Home Location: Twin Cities Metro

Family Status: Couple with Children

Children in Home: Two

Child Ethnicity: African American, Asian, Caucasian, East Indian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American

About Us

Hi! We’re Tescia and Andrew. We have two beautiful biological children who were born to us in 2020 (daughter) and 2022 (son). They’re the best part of our lives and bring us so much joy. Adoption has been on our hearts and part of our plan for many years, and we’re excited to expand our family.

We met in law school in 2013. We became best friends almost immediately upon meeting. There was a mutual trust, respect, and openness that we both felt. After being friends for a few months, we decided to start dating. But first (and we mean literally, the night we first broached the subject of dating), we had a long, long conversation outlining what each one of us wanted out of life. We talked about our views on children, finances, debt, religion, hobbies, career aspirations, and family values. We wanted to ensure we were heading in the same direction. We’ve been together ever since and have a healthy, thriving marriage and family.

We both work as lawyers. Andrew works at a large firm and Tescia works in-house at a large corporation. Tescia and Andrew can both work remotely and Tescia has a flexible work schedule. We enjoy our jobs and the financial security they bring. We want our children to be resilient, motivated, and driven to achieve their dreams. At the same time, we don’t want them to want for basic necessities.

One of our favorite things is to pick the kids up from school early and take them on a “Mom date” or “Dad date” or simply bringing them home to play. They both attend a small and diverse Montessori school owned by two Iranian women. Our children are kind, intelligent, happy, joyful humans who often tell each other “you’re my best friend!” The sibling bond they share is close, warm, and incredibly loving. They’re both excited to welcome a new sibling into their crew. Our daughter often asks when we’re going to get “our new baby” and our son has been called “the protector” at school, because he sits by babies and makes sure no harm comes to them. We’re blessed to be their parents.

In our free time, Andrew enjoys dating his wife, playing with the kids, riding his bike, listening to audio books, golfing, and trying new restaurants. Tescia loves being with her family, walking with friends, reading, planning kid activities, and photography. As a family we love walking to the park, play dates with friends from school, church, or the neighborhood, and spending time outside.

Why Adoption?

Adoption has been on Tescia and Andrew’s heart for many years. Adoption was discussed during the conversation Tescia and Andrew had before deciding to date. At that time, we decided to have two biological children and adopt two children. Having two biological children has prepared us well to welcome a new baby into our home. We understand the indescribable bond between birth parents and baby.

We hope to develop an open and loving relationship with you throughout the adoption process and your child’s life. We recognize your needs may change over time and we want to meet you exactly where you are.  We look forward to communicating and incorporating you into your child’s life as much as you feel comfortable while providing a warm, loving, supportive home that encourages all our children to reach their full potential. Our children will be treated equally, yet individually.

Our Neighborhood, Home & Community

We live in a western suburb of Minneapolis in a six-bedroom home that has a large backyard. Our house is situated on a small circle, thus children run from yard to yard and the adults can often be found chatting. Our neighborhood is diverse, welcoming, and close to the elementary and high school. We’re blessed to live in a school district that is ranked the best in the state.

We have an incredible community and can often be found hosting our families during the holidays, walking to the park to meet up with neighbors, hosting ice cream socials for our kids and their friends, throwing backyard birthday parties that includes a “real” unicorn, BBQs, or pancake breakfasts on our large deck. Our community includes a close-knit church group (Tescia and Andrew are co-leaders of a married couples group), diverse Montessori School community (Tescia often plans class play dates and school fundraisers), and a very supportive extended family.

How Tescia Describes Andrew

Andrew is one of the most patient, kind, rational, respectful, motivated, and caring people I know! He excels at everything he does, yet is incredibly humble. He’s athletic, intelligent, and has the biggest heart. He is often looking for ways to help people or remove barriers. He’s gentle-hearted yet incredibly strong, disciplined, and principled. He’s loyal and dedicated to those he loves. He balances family life and career flawlessly. He’s a very hands-on dad who loves playing with the kids. Our children often ask him to play “bear” or other games that involve them tackling him to the ground. Their giggles of delight when playing these games can be heard throughout the house.

Andrew works hard to contribute equally to the household by doing laundry, cooking, or cleaning. He’s involved in every aspect of the kids’ lives and truly is the best dad. I had an absentee father, so I was incredibly diligent in selecting a spouse because I knew they would be the future father of my children. I hit the jackpot. I wish every child had a dad like Andrew.

How Andrew Describes Tescia

Tescia is inspirational to everyone she meets. She is naturally kind and it is easily apparent to every person she comes across. She is a leader, naturally slipping into the role no matter if it is at work, in our church group, or developing relationships with our children’s friends. She’s one of the smartest people I know as demonstrated by her successful career, but she also is a driving force and a leader in our family. She is so warm, welcoming, and trustworthy that random children will frequently find her and trust her to take care of them until their parents arrive. She is fiercely loyal, particularly when her family is involved and will always have her husband’s and children’s backs.

She has the most generous spirit of anyone I’ve ever met. Whether it’s donations through church, donations to children in war-torn countries, donated backpacks with school supplies, organizing meal-trains for mothers who have just given birth, fundraisers for our children’s school, or a meal and a listening ear to a friend who has had a miscarriage, is sleep deprived with young children, or going through a rough patch with their partner, there is no limit to what she will do for those she loves.

Tescia is also the most resilient person I’ve ever met. Her father abandoned her family at a young age, but rather than using her circumstances as an excuse, she rose to the challenge. She put herself through college and law school with honors while working multiple jobs along the way. I truly wish everyone could have a mother and wife like Tescia.

 You Might Be Surprised to Know About Andrew:

• Andrew knows the Hogwarts school song by heart.
• His coworkers agree that he is the “Ted Lasso” of the office.
• In six years of football (high school and college), he only won one game, teaching him good sportsmanship and humility.
• He is not allowed to go to space while his wife is alive, regardless of the commercial availability or purported safety of the experience.

You Might Be Surprised to Know About Tescia:

• Tescia was raised on a small farm in northern Minnesota.
• She has been struck by lightning and won the lottery on the same day (small amount).
• She is an award-winning chef (best side dish at our annual Friendsgiving – sweet potato casserole) and photographer.

Contact

For more information on this family, please contact Dianne Delaney (Adoption Worker) 320-428-0199 | [email protected]

 

Our family

Our daughter at a friend’s birthday celebration

We can often be found at a splash pad or pool during the summer

Our son playing baseball in the yard with the family

Water fun at family camp!

A cousin date at the splash pad

Our son hard at work on a masterpiece

Playing in our backyard

The Montessori school our children attend regularly walk to the park for afternoon fun

We love any reason to celebrate, especially if it’s with friends!  (Halloween Trunk-or-Treat 2023)