Adoption has always been close to our hearts. Jonathan grew up as a missionary kid in Uruguay, South America, and his idea of "family" has never been limited to blood. Other missionary families, neighbors, and community members became aunts, uncles, and cousins—people who loved each other deeply, regardless of relation. That sense of chosen family shaped who he is.

Elizabeth's childhood was also filled with care and community. Her mother often took in children who needed help—refugees, neighbors, and others in need of a safe space. Her home was always full of extra "brothers and sisters," and Elizabeth naturally stepped into nurturing roles as a camp counselor, daycare assistant, and Sunday school helper. Loving and caring for children has always felt like second nature.

Though we considered having biological children, we came to realize that adoption was the right path for us. We view it as an opportunity to give a child unconditional love, stability, and a life full of opportunity, joy, and support. We are excited for the journey ahead and comfortable stepping outside the traditional path.

We take the idea of "life as an adventure, together" to heart. Adventure to us means staying curious, trying new things, and finding joy in both the everyday and the extraordinary—something we're excited to share with a future child.

We've been lucky to travel to over 30 countries and have friends all over the world. Some favorites include exploring the food and art scenes of Amsterdam and Paris, scuba diving in Hawaii, and attending weddings in Korea as well as India (where we even performed a choreographed dance in front of 500 people!). Our love of travel has brought us to places like Hong Kong, Uruguay, Mexico, Tokyo, Philippines, all across the USA and beyond—and we're grateful for every connection and experience.

One reason we chose San Diego as home is because we loved how adventure is always nearby. We're 15 minutes from San Diego's famous Balboa Park, where Elizabeth sometimes paints outdoors, 30 minutes from the mountains and apple orchards in Julian, and always close to the beach. We also love quick weekend trips to the desert (Joshua Tree) to unplug—no screens, just books, cooking, drawing, enjoying time together and stargazing.

At home, our days are full of small, creative adventures too—like themed dinners, spontaneous art nights, or impromptu walks to explore something new in the neighborhood. We hope to raise a child who feels at home in the world, curious, grounded, and ready for whatever life has to offer.

Elizabeth is a bright spark in any room she enters. Her laugh is contagious, and her warmth is genuine. She sees the good in people and isn't afraid to speak from the heart. Whether she's painting, designing, or planning a surprise weekend adventure, she brings energy and joy to the smallest moments. Her empathy runs deep—when someone is hurting, she doesn't just listen, she feels it with them.

Jonathan is steady in the storm. He solves problems without panic, listens before he speaks, and adapts quickly to whatever life throws his way. He's built his career on high-pressure environments, but his heart is at home. As a trained chef, he loves sharing meals that bring people together. His ability to stay grounded while thinking several steps ahead makes him a strong, reliable partner and someone who will be a constant source of strength for a child.

When we come together, we create the perfect team—working in harmony. We are open and communicative, building an environment where transparency and trust are at the core. We're both ambitious and driven, always striving to create the best life possible for our family.

We live in sunny San Diego, in a beautiful, family-friendly neighborhood just outside the city in La Mesa. It's quiet and peaceful, but only ten minutes from the heart of San Diego—so we get the best of both worlds. Our townhome has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, with lots of cozy corners, a big kitchen island perfect for family meals, and a downstairs movie room with an 85-inch screen and a giant couch we love to pile onto for movie nights. We also have a home art studio and a nursery space already imagined in our hearts.

Our neighborhood is full of young families. There's a park and gazebo right in our complex where we regularly see toddlers, babies, and parents gathering and chatting. Our neighbors—like Erica and Durell and their two-year-old daughter—make the community feel warm and welcoming. On Fridays, we walk to the local farmers market to pick flowers, get a treat, and grab dinner.

We're also just a short drive to the beach, local parks, and amazing places like Legoland, Disneyland, SeaWorld, and the San Diego Zoo. Living here feels like being on vacation, and we're excited to share that magic with a child. It's a place full of diversity, creativity, and community—and we know it will give your child a joyful, opportunity-filled childhood.

Our families are spread across the Southeast—Jonathan's in Tennessee, and Elizabeth's in Georgia and Alabama—but they're deeply connected and incredibly supportive of our adoption journey. We talk daily, celebrate holidays together, and prioritize time with the people we love. Jonathan's brother is especially excited that his 2-year-old son might have a cousin soon!

Jonathan's family is laid-back, thoughtful, and loves grilling and long conversations over coffee. With South American roots, they cherish Uruguayan traditions like sharing steaks over an open fire and setting off fireworks at Christmas. Elizabeth's family brings a different kind of energy—lake days, small-town adventures, card games, and big, joyful holidays. Even as adults, we still do "Santa" on Christmas morning!

Both sides are thrilled about this next chapter. Elizabeth grew up in a home where her mom cared for many children, so adoption always felt like a natural path. Her sister even hopes to adopt one day too.

We're proud of our families' diversity and warmth—Uruguayan, Korean, Southern, and beyond. We're a group that shows up, makes memories, and believes in building a life full of shared traditions, laughter, and love. We can't wait to welcome your child into our family.

We cannot begin to imagine the strength it takes to consider adoption. Your courage and love are deeply inspiring, and we are honored that you would take a moment to learn about us.

Our journey began 11 years ago and has been filled with laughter, creativity, and a deep love for each other and our community. We've built a life of warmth and wonder-filled with scratch-made meals around the table, cozy movie nights with our cats Cheeto and Tuna, peaceful lake walks, and weekend adventures discovering hidden gems, beaches, and local art or food events.

We share a deep curiosity about the world and find joy in both creative experiences and quiet comforts-whether it's Elizabeth's latest art show, an outdoor concert, a crazy new recipe, or catching a San Diego sunset. Elizabeth brings creativity into our home through her art and design work, often imagining little hands painting beside her in the studio. Jonathan is calm, curious, and thoughtful-a steady and adventurous man who brings warmth, humor, and insight to every experience. He's excited to share his love, his skills in the kitchen, and a life rich with discovery, joy, and meaningful moments with your child.

We've traveled to more than 30 countries, gaining perspective, empathy, and wonder. We can't wait to share this sense of adventure with your child-to show them the beauty of the world and inspire them to explore it with open hearts and minds.

We're proud of how we communicate and support one another. We truly live life as a team. We love trying new things-foods, cities, or experiences-and Jonathan (who grew up in Uruguay) is teaching Elizabeth Spanish as we prepare to raise a child in a bilingual home that celebrates language, culture, and learning.

Our life is full, but the one piece we've longed for is a child. We want to grow our lives with your child by our side-to witness their wonder, support their growth, and help them become a kind, passionate and confident person. We look forward to every joy-from bedtime stories and art projects to birthday parties and making Thanksgiving dinner together. We dream of raising someone we can be proud of, and who feels proud of themselves.

We promise to raise your child in a home filled with love, laughter, gentle guidance, and support. We will nurture their talents, encourage their dreams, and help them grow into the person they are meant to be. We are committed to helping them thrive, dream big, and follow their ambitions.

If you feel we might be the right family, please know we will honor and cherish that trust always. If you'd like to stay connected, we welcome that-through photos, calls, letters or visits. However it looks, your presence will always be respected and valued. Your child will always know they were brought into this world through your strength and selfless love.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering us.

With love and deep respect,

Jonathan & Elizabeth