Michael is the creative type in the marriage. He began his career as a freelance hairstylist, helping women embrace their inner beauty and empowering them to feel confident through their hair. Recently, he's had the privilege of working as an extension specialist at one of the top salons in San Diego, where he also contributed to photoshoots and taught classes, sharing his knowledge with others in the industry. Now, as a creative coordinator for a marketing firm focused on health, wellness, and beauty, he brings that same passion for self-expression and creativity to his work.

John is a military officer in the Navy. He is a Judge Advocate General (JAG) - military lawyer - and before joining the Navy, he was a civilian lawyer practicing in Philadelphia. He worked at the District Attorney's office, and began specializing in prosecuting crimes against children. He then moved over to private practice where did personal injury law, criminal defense and civil rights litigation. John has a strong sense of patriotism, dedication and pride, and uses his legal acumen to support our country.

Our professions highlight the greatest part of our marriage - the ying-to-the-yang. While John may be good at logistics, putting Ikea furniture together, and making a plan for months or years in the future, Michael is the one helping the family stop and smell the roses, see the beauty in an item, and remaining open to the multiple avenues to solve a problem.

To us, being parents means being providers: for a home, for love and support, for affirmations and confirmations, for a life of value and meaning, and for instilling purpose and identify. We both have parents we value, who have shown effective parenting and support through their words and actions (both the good and the bad).

Providing a home filled with love, support, and the occasional chaos (because let's face it, a little chaos keeps life exciting!) is at the center of our expectations. A home is not just a place - it's a feeling and sense of security. As a Military Family, we move around every couple years. As a result, a home must be more than walls and materials - it must be who we are as a family. It's about being the ones who cheer the loudest at every little milestone—whether it's the first steps, a report card, or even just a messy art project proudly displayed on the fridge. Being parents is about nurturing a child's potential, offering guidance when needed, and stepping back when it's time to let them soar. Most importantly, it means being there—always.

What excites us the most about becoming parents is the opportunity to share the love we've built together with a child. We look forward to bedtime stories, school plays, and family trips that turn into unforgettable adventures. We're also excited about the little moments: the spontaneous dance parties in the living room, the unplanned trips for ice cream, pasta nights and those moments of laughter that make everything feel just right. In the end, we can't wait to watch our child grow into their own person.

Adoption is a big part of who we are, and it has shaped us in ways we never imagined. One of us, Michael, is an adopted child, and that experience has had a profound impact on how we view family, love, and connection. At the age of 4, Michael was adopted by his father (Marc - a non-Cuban, Jersey transplant to Florida). Despite looking different, sounding different, and coming from different cultures (Polish), Michael learned that what makes a father is not blood - but love. It's about the bond you share, the support you give, and the love you offer. Being adopted taught us that families come in all forms, and each one is special in its own way.

At our wedding, Marc - a strong man who never cries - bawled like a baby. Afterwards, he expressed how proud he was of his son, to see him grown and mature into a man, who is starting his own family. Through Michael's journey, we've seen firsthand how adoption can create beautiful, lasting relationships and open doors to new experiences. It's given us a deep appreciation for the gift of choosing to build a family, rather than just waiting for one to be built for you.

We currently live in Southern California, north of Los Angeles. Our home is part of a beautiful community, filled with young families, excellent schools, a safe environment, and tons of playgrounds and yards. Our area of the community has several families with small children - some of which even leave us notes on sidewalk chalk to say, "have a sunny day!" As an active duty family, we have access to all the military bases, including medical facilities, childcare centers, recreational activities, and community events. These benefits and family programs nearby offer a strong support system we're excited to share with a child.

Our home is a cozy two-bedroom, two-bathroom layout that offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. We've created a space filled with memories of our travels, and our favorite part is the outdoor area where John loves growing herbs, citrus plants, and fresh florals. Our patio attracts friendly neighbors - like the hummingbird family that visits on the daily when we're outside on the patio.

We are from a large family background. John has 29 first cousins and Michael's roots are planted from Key West, Florida - which means every conch on the island is somehow a family member. Our families are spread out through the country, but mostly on the East Coast. John's family is predominately located in New Jersey, and Michael's is in Florida. Despite the distance, we have tons of family visitors and do a good amount of traveling to spend quality time with them.

We come from very different backgrounds. John has Italian and Irish heritage; Michael has 100% Cuban roots. Like other Italian and Cuban families - our family time centers around food. It truly is a means of connecting, showing others that you love them, and feeding both the heart, soul and stomach. When the extended family is together - the counters are full of pastas, meats, fish, barbecue items (straight from the BBQ master himself - Michael's dad), fresh salads and cheeses, and one cannot forget the breads! So when the holidays come around - especially Christmas and Thanksgiving - its rich traditions we enjoy: Fest of Seven Fishes; Noche Buena; family games; photo scavenger hunt; Christmas lights golf-cart tour.

We love spending time with our nieces and nephews - ranging from age 12 to 4 months old. Whether its pool time with the boys - recreating memorable 1990s WWF wrestling moves, or heading indoors with the girls for a beauty-parlor day (the girls love Tio Michael's haircuts and blow outs) - its all about the individual time.

We want to express how incredibly grateful we are to you for considering us as potential parents for your child. We can only imagine the emotions and decisions you are navigating, and we deeply respect your courage in taking this step. We understand that this is a life-changing decision, and we want to share a little about us, our lives, and our promise to you as future parents.

We are John and Michael, have been together for 6.5 years. We are in a loving, committed partnership and recently celebrated our 4-year anniversary. Our relationship is built on trust, respect, and mutual support, and we are incredibly excited about the opportunity to become fathers. We firmly believe in the power of love and family, and we know that our love for each other, along with the support of our families and friends, will provide a stable and nurturing environment for your child.

We've always dreamed of being parents, and adoption is the path for us. We believe that every child deserves to feel loved, safe, and supported as they grow into the person they are meant to be. Our home is filled with laughter, warmth, and open communication. Decorated throughout our house are the mementos and pictures of our adventures - seeing the world, spending time with family and friends, and having fun/silly moments with each other. We value kindness, honesty, and integrity, and we strive to create an environment where our child (and ourselves) can flourish. As a couple, we are dedicated to raising a child with a deep sense of empathy, resilience, and confidence; instilling a sense of purpose and pride is at the core of our parenting approaching.

We also want to emphasize that we value the relationship with you and are committed to keeping an open line of communication. We understand that you are entrusting us with a tremendous gift, and we want you to feel connected and supported throughout the journey. We are more than happy to send you regular updates, pictures, and letters about your child's life as they grow: milestones, holidays, school events, and the simple, everyday moments that make family life so special. We believe in the importance of honoring your connection to your child, based on your comfort level. We want you to feel at peace knowing that your child is being raised by the best, and most fabulous dads out there!

Our promise to you is that we will provide a home where your child's individuality is embraced. We will encourage them to explore their passions, nurture their dreams, and always know that they are loved unconditionally. We also promise that we will support them as they grow, helping them navigate life's challenges and celebrate life's joys. Our values of respect, compassion, and inclusion will guide us as parents. As a military family, resilience and dedication are the hallmarks of how we approach our every day.

Thank you again for considering us as potential parents. We hope you can see how deeply committed we are to providing a loving, supportive, and joyful environment for your child. We are excited about the possibility of becoming parents and can only imagine how wonderful it would be to have your child as a part of our family.

With deepest gratitude and respect,

John & Michael