Brad and Johanna Adopt

Caption please.

Brainteaser time!

Our Family❤️

After 15 years together it's hard to think of our families as separate. Brad’s parents, sister, brother-in-law, two nieces (13 and 11) and nephew (9) live in Cincinnati, Ohio. We visit them every Christmas, vacation together in Myrtle Beach, and talk and Skype regularly. Johanna’s mother, Carole, lives in New York with her dog Goldie. We see her at least once a week. Johanna’s dad, Bob, passed away from leukemia in 2015 shortly after the celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary. He was warm, funny, and insightful. We miss him more every day. Traditionally, we would spend Thanksgiving with Bob and Carole and their friends at their home in Connecticut. Since Bob’s passing, we’ve had some lovely Thanksgivings at the homes of our friends or Carole’s friends in the city, but we are looking forward to the time when our family is big enough to host our own Thanksgiving dinners in Connecticut again. Carole makes a delicious apple pie, but it’s always better when it’s eaten at home.

Carole and her dog Goldie did special training so Goldie could be what's called a "therapy animal." they go to schools and hospitals to make people feel better. Goldie is great with kids! Brad’s parents also usually come to stay with us in Brooklyn once or twice a year. They enjoy visiting with Carole and taking in a Broadway show.

More at: www.bradandjohannaadopt.com

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Brad talks about Johanna
Johanna is a New Yorker through and through. She can put on a tough, “don’t bother me” face on the street, but she is one of the most welcoming, warm, and thoughtful people I know. I knew we had a future together when she made me laugh!

Johanna is very in touch with her emotions, and she has helped me become more in touch with mine. She is very good about articulating her feelings, and she knows how to create an environment where I feel comfortable discussing them. Johanna likes to think about and talk things over carefully before taking action, which is a good counterbalance to my tendency to make spontaneous decisions.

Johanna is also very talented artistically and creatively. She has an amazing eye for color - one of the many reasons she is a great exhibit and graphic designer. She is also very self-motivating, and I’ve enjoyed watching her build a freelance career in her field over the years.

I also admire Johanna for her perseverance. We went through a very difficult period a few years ago when her parents were each very sick. Johanna showed tremendous strength and courage to get through this difficult time, and worked very hard to get her professional career and other aspects of her life back to the point where they were before all of these painful events interrupted our lives.. As a result of those tough times, we have grown closer, both to each other and our families.
I also know that Johanna will be an excellent mother. I’ve witnessed her make an upset child laugh just by flashing her beautiful smile or making a funny face.
More at: www.bradandjohannaadopt.com

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Meet Johanna❤️
I am a life-long New Yorker and the only-child of my parents Carole and Bob. I come from a very small but close-knit family – we have a lot of silly family jokes and traditions! We watched lots of movie musicals; now I know the words to Singin’ in the Rain better than the lyrics to Purple Rain. My family loves to celebrate together with lots of delicious foods.

During my childhood, I fondly remember spending time at the house doing watercolors and working on school projects. I even remember working on Halloween costumes with my mom – one year I decided to be a grandfather clock since the kids at school who used boxes in their costumes seemed to always win the contest.

My main hobby was figure skating. I grew up taking lessons when I was six years old at a skating rink called “The Ice Studio.” I was tall and awkward for the sport, but I loved it and continued to pursue lessons and practice through High School.I knew from an early age that I wanted to work in an arts-related field, and after a few years working in museums, I found my niche doing exhibition and graphic design for museums and cultural organizations. It is a great fit for me because I get to use my creative skills while also working for the arts. I have my own business which means that I work from home and have a flexible schedule. I have always loved art and still enjoy painting, particularly watercolors.

I'm also an adjunct professor of graphic design at a local college. I really enjoy teaching – my students are enthusiastic and many are the first in their families to attend college!

More at: www.bradandjohannaadopt.com

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Johanna talks about Brad ❤️
I can't believe I was lucky enough to find Brad. I love our daily life together, making one another laugh with silly plays-on-words and nicknames that will be perfect to share with a child.

Brad likes to care for things, whether it be his personal collections, people, animals, or work. At home, rather than listen to his digital music library, he plays records from his vast collection of everything from classical to jazz to soul. Each time he plays a record, he brushes it carefully to remove any dust. His job at work is to be in charge of all the details when documents are submitted to the court. For several weeks each year, we take care of my mother’s dog, a Havanese named Goldie. Not only does Brad enjoy walking and training Goldie, but he also feeds and grooms her diligently. And he takes care of me, from making me tea when I’m sick to helping me shop for clothes to wear to an important interview. I look forward to seeing this warm and nurturing instinct applied to being a Dad.

Brad has the patience of a saint; he’s rarely rushed or rattled. Family is his first priority and helping those he loves is never a burden to him; if he can, he will.

We complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses and have worked out a good division of labor. We respect one another and talk through any disagreements. Even doing paperwork together, from our taxes to our adoption materials (!) is not a boring task when we do it together. I look forward to seeing how our routines will evolve once we are parents together.

More at: www.bradandjohannaadopt.com

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Brainteaser time! Here's an old fave.

Brains are weird: There are 16 circles in this image. Do you see them? 🧠👀
*special hint, this is an optical illusion not a puzzle*

Meet Brad ❤️

I grew up in suburban Cincinnati, Ohio, with my parents Mike and Phyllis and my older sister Allison. My mother was an elementary school teacher with Public Schools and taught in some very troubled schools. My dad worked at Procter & Gamble and had served in the Marines. So while they were both very loving and supportive, they also taught us the importance of a good education and hard work. My parents encouraged a love of reading from an early age. My first words were “Read the book.”

My love of reading and writing led me to the legal profession. I have a job called “Managing Attorney” at a big law firm. This means that I handle all the court filings and advise the attorneys on the court rules and procedural issues. I enjoy my work and I particularly enjoy teaching the new attorneys – if I was not a lawyer, I’d probably be a teacher! Johanna is happy because as she says “It’s a lawyer job without lawyer hours.”

Though I work in the legal profession, I also have a creative side. I have always loved drawing and painting. I also love music, and while I don’t play any instruments, I have quite a record collection! My other hobbies are playing pick-up soccer in the park and watching my New York Redbulls and the U.S. National Soccer Teams. I’m not a natural athlete, so I really had to work hard to be a decent soccer player and have great admiration for professional athletes.

I also have a love for nature and the great outdoors, which I learned to enjoy with my father, who is an avid nature photographer. Whether it’s Prospect Park in Brooklyn or Muir Woods in California, I find happiness in experiencing the beauty and wonders of our planet. I am looking forward to sharing these experiences with a child and exploring new ones that this child may love.
Learn more: www.bradandjohannaadopt.com