Ed's Background Info
Ed's Background: Work-at-Home Dad-to-Be
CHILDHOOD & VALUES
My parents, may they rest in peace, led a very simple life. I am the youngest of 4 brothers who were born and raised in New York City's borough of Manhattan. We grew up in an apartment of a tenement building. My brothers and I shared 1 room and there was just enough room for the 4 beds and two small cabinets. You learned to get along and sleep with noise.
My parents, who were devout Christians, instilled in us excellent values - work hard, be loyal, have a sense humor, be honest, don't take people and things for granted, have a balance of pride and humility, be dependable, save your money, and live life by The Golden Rule of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." My mother dedicated most of her young adult life to raising her 4 sons. My father, a three-time decorated World War II veteran, worked 2 jobs for 40 years to support his family in order for his sons to live a better life than he had. They always supported us unconditionally in what we did, as long as it was lawful and we did our school work.
Benefiting from this upbringing, my brothers and I have lived simple and honorable lives. We are all happily married.
EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE
I attended private schools from 1st Grade through high school. I then attended Fordham University in the Bronx, NY. Like my brothers, I took my studies seriously and graduated in the top of my class. Since my college graduation, I have worked as an administrator in higher education and as an executive director of a pediatric foundation dedicated to helping children in need. I also earned my Master's degree in Counseling.
Since October 2006, I work from home as the administrator of my wife's medical practice and thoroughly enjoy it.
THE LOVE OF MY LIFE
The best thing that happened to me is meeting my wife, Margaret, on a blind date in September of 1989. After just a few dates, we both knew that we were meant for each other and married 11 months later. She is an incredibly loving, caring, patient, considerate, generous, and trusting person. My love, admiration, and respect for her grows deeper with each passing year. There is no doubt in my mind that she will make a terrific mother. I am truly blessed by God to have Margaret as my soul mate and best friend. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't tell each other often how much we love one another. Love, patience, and humor are key ingredients to our strong marriage.
Margaret's professional career has taken us to Florida for 4 years, and now to northern Virginia since March of 2000. A year ago, we purchased a home with the intention of laying roots here for decades to come.
INTERESTS & SPIRITUALITY
My interests are in creative writing, sports (especially baseball, college basketball, and football), live theater and movies, humor, organizing activities, traveling, historical sites & museums, taking walks to get fresh air, and exercising 2-3 times a week under the supervision of a personal trainer. I place a high priority and value on daily meditation, being true to the Ignatian principle of service to others, and on maintaining the friendships that I have developed over the decades. In fact, most of my close friends I have known for more than half of my life. I also am blessed to be the proud Godfather of my niece, Elyse, and Andrew, the son of one of my childhood chums, and the uncle of 3 wonderful nephews and 2 nieces.
OUR PATH TO PARENTHOOD
Having handled the fundraising and public relations for a pediatric foundation and having served as the Enrollment Director of a private school (pre-K through 12th Grade), I cherish the joy, wonder, and natural curiosity of life that a child possesses. I can think of no other responsibility more important or rewarding than to nurture your child's academic, artistic, and practical abilities as he/she blossoms into leading a productive and meaningful adult life, while instilling the same spiritual values that our parents provided to Margaret and me.
Now that Margaret and I are settled and I am working from home, we feel that it is time for us to start a family via adoption. The house that we bought a year ago is located in a safe and quiet neighborhood and is in the best school district in northern Virginia. In fact, the elementary, middle, and high schools are all within a short walking distance of our home. With Margaret's background as a Pediatrician, I know that we will have a doctor who makes house calls whenever our child requires medical attention 
. Margaret's office is only 3 miles from our home. So, I look forward to bringing our child to have lunch with "Mommy" a couple of times a week. Margaret and I felt strongly that we did not want to adopt a baby and then place the child in a daycare center during the work day. Clearly, both of us benefited greatly from having a parent at home to raise us. Fortunately, my flexible work schedule from home will enable me to do the same.