Alexandra & Samir

Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know us through these pages. We can only imagine how much thought, love, and consideration you are putting into your decision, and we want you to know how much we admire your strength and care in considering adoption. 

We know this isn’t an easy path, and we respect you deeply for it. Our hope is that as you read our story, you get a real sense of who we are and the kind of parents we hope to be. We are so ready to welcome your child into our lives, to surround them with love, laughter, and a home where they always feel safe and cherished. 

We are grateful that you are considering us, and we are here to answer any questions you have. We would be honored to learn about your hopes and dreams, too.

With so much love,

Alex & Samir

About Alex

Through Samir’s Eyes

Alex is the best person I know and makes me proud every single day. She has this way of always pushing herself, and she inspires me to do the same. She supports me in everything I do and has always encouraged me to be a better person. And the truth is, I am a better person with her in my life. She is the most loving, nurturing, and caring person I have ever met. She cares for every living being with unshakable resolve. I have seen her stay up all night watching over a sick animal, making sure they were comfortable, not resting herself until she knew they were okay. And she tells our dog, Bianca, that she loves her at least a thousand times a day.

Alex is also incredibly creative and passionate. She has a background in fashion and design, and brings that same sense of style, detail, and imagination into everything she does, whether it’s building our home, planning the garden, or new ideas for our future. She even took the lead overseeing the complete gut renovation of her parents’ 1890s home. She poured herself into making sure it was not only beautiful, but also safe and sustainable. Alex brings this attention to detail into every project she takes on, always striving to make things the best she can for other people.

She is devoted to her friends and family, too. Whether it’s caring for her dad and talking to his doctors or being there for her friends going through a hard time, she listens without judgment. She is always there, always helpful, always thinking of others. Sometimes Alex can be more reserved, focused on the day-to-day. Other times, I’ll come home to Alex singing to anything from Wu Tang to Pearl Jam, Gregory Alan Isakov, or listening to jazz. Or she could be dancing around the room to Bad Bunny (I think for our dog’s entertainment as much as her own ;). Those are the moments that show her playful, silly side, and they are just as much a part of her as the nurturing and determined side. She has this rare combination of creativity and determination that makes anything feel possible.

Beyond her talents, what I love most is her heart. Alex has so much compassion for people, animals, and the world around her. She wants to make things better not just for herself, but for others. She is kind, generous, and thoughtful in ways big and small, and I know that is exactly the kind of mother she will be.

Where We Live

We split our time between our apartment in downtown Manhattan and our home in the quiet Catskills countryside. We feel lucky to have the best of both worlds.

Alex actually grew up in our NYC apartment! This great apartment has been passed down in her family to her. Samir jokes that when he found out she lived in a rent-stabilized apartment in Manhattan, that sealed the deal. We have a large two-bedroom, two-bath home that is part of a quiet development with lawns and squirrels, playgrounds, basketball and pickleball courts, and plenty of kids running around. It’s the kind of place where kids can safely ride bikes or skateboards (just like Alex did!). In the winter, the playground turns into an ice skating rink for winter magic. We are close to some of the best schools and, of course, amazing restaurants. We love going to Central Park and exploring museums, like the Natural History Museum (magical at any age, but especially for kids). Alex grew up going to them and can’t wait to share that same experience with your child, spending afternoons watching them discover what inspires them most. 

Our apartment is warm and creative. We have a lot of plants, books, and artwork, a lot of it made by Samir or artist friends. Our favorite room is the living room, with big windows overlooking the river. It’s where we curl up to read, cuddle with Bianca, and watch movies. Alex gravitates toward spy thrillers and comedies, while Samir loves Alex Garland films, zombie movies, or space adventures, but we usually end up watching a little of everything.

Life in the country is special. We are only five minutes from a small town with great restaurants and shops. Mostly though, we love to escape the busy city and really slow down to appreciate nature. Our house has heated floors, a cedar deck, and a stone patio where we sip coffee or watch spectacular sunsets. Inside, it’s very cozy, with huge windows looking out onto the land to watch the deer graze, a comfy couch, and antiques we’ve restored. On our four acres, there is plenty of room to grow. Samir turned an old shed into an art studio, and we built a second tiny cabin with our bare hands. It’s the perfect little guesthouse for friends and family, and one day, it will be the ultimate playhouse for your child. Samir also added a fire pit and an outdoor shower that overlooks a big meadow. When friends visit, we play lawn games like bocce ball and enjoy outdoor dinners. We also started a garden and orchard. This year, we grew tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, beans, beets, jalapeños, blueberries, and an explosion of blackberries. As we plan for our flower farm, we filled the fields with wildflowers – zinnias, sunflowers, Russian sage, and marigolds. 

We are just five minutes from a fantastic swimming river where we take regular trips in the summer. Our wonderful community here has amazing free youth programs, tons of activities for kids, and town events like the tractor parade, local festivals, horseback riding, and 4H. We have become friends with many of the local shop owners and farmers nearby. 

It feels so idyllic in the country, and we imagine your child here running through the field with our dog by their side, picking berries, gathering flowers, creating art, learning to ride horses, and playing sports.

Holidays & Traditions

Since we both grew up in multicultural families, holidays have always been filled with food, fun, and traditions. Christmas is usually spent in snowy Minnesota with Samir’s family. Dinner is a Scandinavian-style buffet with lingonberries, meatballs, cabbage, and potatoes, and there is always music. Samir and his siblings play piano or guitar while everyone sings along. The next morning, his dad makes a huge Middle Eastern breakfast with falafel, pita, and hummus. Cats and dogs wander in and out, chickens roam the yard, and the house feels cozy, lively, and full of love.

Thanksgiving is usually with Alex’s family in New York. We host in our apartment and do all the cooking these days, with her family joining. Last year, we had a karaoke machine, and it was so much fun! Birthdays are celebrated with friends and family, and always with whichever homemade cake the birthday person requests.

For us, holidays are about being with the people we love, sharing meals, and making memories. We are so excited to build on these traditions and create new ones once we become parents.