We were both volunteers for 10 years and were waiting in the January cold for the doors of the facility to open. We had never met but it was love at first sight. Martin introduced himself to Shan and the rest was history. We have now been together as a couple for 9 years and married for 8 years! On Christmas Eve 2017, we expanded our family to include our 3-year-old pup Lenox. We enjoy each other’s company immensely and enjoy trying out new recipes, antiquing at the Chelsea Flea Market, boating in Central Park, vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard, and enjoying evenings out with friends at a new restaurant. We have known that we wanted to adopt for the past two years and look forward to providing our children with unique opportunities that will nurture and develop their unique gifts and talents. Expanding our family in a city that has served as a backdrop to our own childhoods will allow us to pass down our joy, laughter, and life experiences to our children. We look forward to having family game night on Friday’s complete with pizza, celebrating holidays, visiting zoos, parks, museums, and going on family vacations to Martha’s Vineyard and beyond.
About Martin
Job
Lighting Designer/Programmer
Hobbies
I love photography and music production
Fun Fact
I really enjoy cooking Caribbean food, and exploring the world of photography.
About Shan
Job Description
Educator
Hobbies
I enjoy crossword puzzles, cooking, interior design, antiquing, event planning and visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Fun Fact
I I have my own Instagram channel where I explore the history, antiquities, and the food scenes of various neighborhoods New York City.
Our Lives
We currently live in Harlem in a 2-bedroom apartment overlooking Central Park. Our cozy sundrenched abode has plenty of room to accommodate family and friends for special occasions, such as our traditional holiday dinners. We spend a lot of our time experimenting with food and enjoying New York City. Even though we both grew up in New York we love the fact that the city is ever-changing and look forward to experiencing this evolution with our child. We really live for the weekend because it provides us with the opportunity to explore the culinary scenes and culture of each neighborhood. We love the art exhibits, attending music festivals, street fairs, antiquing, attending talks at the New York Times Center/92nd Street Y and shopping at boutiques. Our summers are spent visiting another island – Martha’s Vineyard! Ever since we honeymooned there, we enjoy attending Martha’s Vineyards beaches, Back Door Doughnuts, open fields, sunsets, seafood, and film festivals!
Our Family
Shan: Recently my mother passed away. She was the backbone of the family and was extremely supportive of our budding family. She was a Speech Pathologist in the New York City Public School system and inspired me to become the educator she is today. She passed her love for reading, puzzles, museums, cooking, a sense of adventure and exploring something new on to me. We are blessed that my father is equally supportive, and he looks forward to enjoying the company of his first grandchild. My father is a lifetime vegetarian who loves health and fitness. He taught me how to ride a bike and gave me an appreciation for the arts and sciences.
Martin: The first 18 years of my life was spent being raised by my Grandmother Martina Marshall who lived in Trinidad as a seamstress and sadly passed away in 2015. I am incredibly grateful for what she did for me concerning my private school education and being taught how to cook west Indian food. I recalled asking her one year before my return to the United States, can you teach me how to cook? She said stay in the kitchen with me for 6 months and I will teach you everything I know. That was the best skill for me to learn and I am happy that I can share this with my family.
Final Thoughts
As future parents, it is our goal to provide our child with opportunities that will assist them to develop their identity, interests and provide them with a strong support system as well as educational foundation. We aim to also teach them the importance of caring for themselves as well as their community. ~ Shan & Martin
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