How We Met

Destiny seems to have a way of making things happen...We lived in the same three cities at the same times, yet our paths never crossed until 1997, when we were both working as attorneys in the same firm and our co-workers chose to introduce us.

Over the past twelve years, we have created a home together, traveled, made new friends, stayed in touch with old friends and built memories for a lifetime. We celebrated our marriage in front of our families and friends in 2005.

"They are what a couple is meant to be"
Samantha's brother, Alex, on Gabin & Samantha

Gabin

Samantha's thoughts on Gabin:

Gabin is hands-down the funniest person I have ever met. Every day she brings a smile to my face and happiness to my soul. Gabin is the entertainer with her incredible sense of humor and quick wit. She also has a more serious side, is extremely organized, a good listener, responsible and is always elected to plan social get-togethers. Gabin is the yin to my yang in that she balances my strengths and weaknesses perfectly. She is my safety, my security and I trust her implicitly. She is down to earth, a kid at heart, loving, strong, compassionate, supportive, intelligent, passionate and committed.

Children are drawn to her for many reasons: Her voice, the way she plays with them, her spirited sense of fun and her ability to provide direction and boundaries. I love watching Gabin with my family and how she takes pride in being there for them. Knowing how we are together, I cannot wait for us to raise children together.

Gabin speaks:

I am and always will be a kid at heart. I eat cotton candy without embarrassment, enjoy arcade games, sing to songs, dance to the beats and love to play mini-golf just as much as I love hitting balls at a driving range. I believe that humor is essential to life. It can get you through the tough times and make the good times even better. For that reason, it has always been important to me to laugh often, laugh out loud and, most importantly, make others laugh too

Samantha

Gabin's thoughts on Samantha:

When you least expect it, expect it! I was about to start a new phase of my professional life and wasn't expecting to meet anyone. Plans changed when I met Samantha, my soul mate and love of my life.

We spend as much time as possible, exploring the world and creating memories together. The happiest day of my life was the day we exchanged vows in front of our closest friends and family. It is a rarity to find someone with whom you can share your life goals and aspirations. Samantha is truly one of the most caring, thoughtful, honest, forthright people I know. She gives me comfort, hope and love. She cares deeply about how others feel and does all she can to be there for them. If there was anyone who was meant to be a mother, it is Samantha. She is the pied piper to our friends' children.

The way she treats the ones she loves and what I have observed over the years with the way she interacts with her younger brothers, inspires me to be a better person. I am excited to be that better person as a co-parent with Samantha.

Samantha speaks:

I am a dreamer and a true optimist. Variety is the spice of life and I love trying my hand at anything new, be it knitting a scarf, cooking a new recipe, playing a new game, traveling or learning a new craft technique. An avid reader, I also savor my quiet time to curl up in a chair with a book.

Each of these things is made better by sharing it with Gabin and one day, with our child. As much as I love nesting at home, I enjoy biking, taking long walks and picnicking in the park, exploring unknown parts of the city. We have a blast finding new restaurants, going to the movies and filling our lives with music.

It means a lot to me that my friends, family and co-workers choose to come to me with their problems and seek my advice. I am very empathetic and a natural caretaker and I am so excited to be able to guide and care for the child we will love.

Our Home Life

We live just a stones throw away from where Gabin grew up and in precisely the community we set our eyes on. With ample natural light and breathtaking views, our home creates an inviting and peaceful environment, and even better, it was specifically designed with child-friendly features.

Located on six acres of property, our building complex provides us with the unique experience of having a taste of suburban life in the middle of the city. Downstairs is a new state-of-the-art playground, basketball courts and picnic tables under tall oak trees. We are a short walk from local parks with additional playspace and playgrounds, as well as excellent public and private schools for children of all ages.

We are part of a close-knit community within our neighborhood. But even more important is the fact that three generations of our families live within a short distance, in fact, Samantha's brother is right across the street and Gabin's parents live a few short blocks away, in a home they have occupied for over 40 years.

Living in New York, your child will have the advantage of going to great places like The Childrens Museum, the Hayden Planetarium, Central Park and exploring many other fun, sport and educational activities. At our home's playground, we get to spend time as honorary 'aunts' to our close friends' kids.

Our "home away from home"

We are fortunate to be a short car ride away from our country home, our own six acre oasis. On weekends and holidays, we can relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside: hiking, skiing, playing tennis or swimming.

We have the best time when we get to share it with our friends. Nothing beats playing games for hours on end, cooking a big meal together, sitting by the fire and dancing around in the living room in our pajamas.

Our country house is very special to us and we cannot wait to share the peaceful outdoors, introduce our child to nature and instill an appreciation for the environment.

Our pup, Maggie

Maggie is our four-year-old Jack Russell Terrier. Maggie is the perfect remedy to any problem, big or small, with her sweet kisses, cold nose and warm body snuggled next to you. She is a very social little girl who loves playing with other dogs and people.

Our travels

We love the variety that the world has to offer so we try to travel as often our schedules allow us to. Our dream is to travel through all fifty states, but we are going to wait until we can experience it with our child. We are excited to share our favorite places and create a whole new set of memories, and pictures!

Our friends

We have surrounded ourselves with special, dear friends from childhood, high school, college, law school, work and everywhere in between. They are all part of our extended family. A great evening is one spent with friends, hanging out and catching up!

Our Family

Our family has always played a central role in our lives. Collectively, they are thrilled that we found each other and have been supportive of our relationship through the years. We are extremely close with both of our families. As the first grandchild to come into either side of the family, everyone is eagerly awaiting the arrival of this child into all of our lives!

Gabin's family

As an only child, I had the complete attention and affection of both my parents, Chuck and Marcia. They remain essential in my life, as they have always given me strength, unconditional love and support.

I was raised just a few blocks from my current home, and I continue to spend a lot of time with them, both in the city and upstate. We spend many of our summer weekends together at our country home swimming, playing tennis, BBQing and checking out the local markets.

I joined my dad in running the family business which he formed when I was a child. Together we protect the rights of musicians. I am fortunate to have a job that is not only my passion, but provides flexible hours and allows me additional time to bond with my family.

Samantha's family

I was raised by my mom, Andrea, who had the difficult task of holding down a full-time job and supporting my brother and me on her own. My mom was very devoted and made sure to instill the importance of family, loving one another and responsibility.

When I was 11, my mom met Steven, a very kind man, whom she married. My youngest brother, Alex, was born and solidified our family of five. Adoption is not foreign to my family. Steven, with my birth father's consent, legally adopted Josh and I, raising us as his own, along with my brother Alex.

In addition, my aunt and uncle, who also live a few minutes away, adopted their third child (my cousin) at birth. Adding to my extended family unit, I reconnected with my birth father and established a relationship with him and his family over the past ten years. Gabin and I have since visited them every few years in Colorado to maintain regular contact.

My mother has always been my best friend and home base. We make sure to see each other weekly and have Sunday night dinner with my dad, brother Alex, aunt, uncle and grandmother Nani to enjoy stories, laugh hard and catch up.

Alex's thoughts

When Alex, Samantha's 27-year-old brother, heard we were writing this profile, he insisted we include his thoughts :

If you were to make a list of ideal qualities for a person to have, prospective parent or otherwise, I imagine it would look something like this: caring, patient, intelligent, funny, open-minded, nurturing, responsible, loving. Ready to rush to your aid in your hour of need without hesitation, bringing comfort and security. Able to cheer you up on even your darkest of days.

Always giving freely of themselves with a kind word or a wise piece of advice, but never forcing their own will upon you, Samantha and Gabin encompass all of these qualities, and far more that I simply lack the space to describe. I consider them the couple with the best relationship that I have ever witnessed - like a cliche in a Disney movie thought not to exist in the real world. They really do share that warmth and tenderness, that easy rapport, and yes, they actually finish each other's sentences.

They go out of their way for others without a second thought. They live each day with gentle grace and bright smiles, and that attitude is infectious for those around them. In short, they are what a couple is meant to be, and individually they are two of the finest and most well-rounded people I have ever encountered.

Thank You

Thank you again for taking the time to learn about who we are individually, as a couple, and as a home.

A dear friend once told us that we will not find our child; our child will find us. We are so excited to open our arms and our hearts to him or her.

We will always be thankful for the miracle you will bring to our lives. And, we will never forget the deep love and courage you have had through this process, nor will your child. We have so much to offer a child and cannot wait to share it.

We look forward to sharing more with you when we speak or even meet.

With heartfelt wishes,
Gabin and Samantha

We can be reached through:
Friends in Adoption toll-free at 1-800-844-3630

Thank you!