Hi there! We’re Eric & Richie from Santa Clarita, California. We are so thankful for the chance to share a little about who we are and the life we’re building together. Our story began over 12 years ago, where we quickly connected through our mutual love of family, staying active, and a shared dream of becoming dads one day. That dream has only grown stronger with time, and today, we’re filled with hope and excitement at the thought of starting a family together. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for taking the time to get to know us more!

Early on, we knew that one day, growing our family together would be an important part of our story. As a same-sex couple, adoption has always felt like the perfect way to make that dream a reality. We both grew up so fortunate to be surrounded by big, loving families where support, traditions, and togetherness were at the heart of everyday life. That same foundation is something we are so excited to share with our future child. With Richie’s sister recently welcoming a baby boy into the world, the thought of our child growing up alongside their cousin makes our hearts so full!

We first met in 2013 when our paths crossed on a dating app. After endless talks, we finally planned our first date, which was filled with laughter and an instant spark as we discovered just how much we had in common, including our love of pop music, running and our dreams for the future. While dating, we moved in with Eric’s parents to save for a home of our own, working hard toward that shared vision. After years of saving, a proposal, and plenty of planning, we found the perfect house with a big backyard full of potential. We spent long days working side by side to bring it to life, and since then, it has become the heart of so many cherished memories including our beautiful wedding. Today, we enjoy weekend game nights, hosting BBQs with family and friends, spoiling our dog Gemma and cat Piper, and being immersed in that love and laugher that initially drew us to one another.

We’re equal parts homebodies and adventurers, loving both quiet nights in and exciting new experiences. For the past eight years, we’ve trained for and participated in a local triathlon, a tradition that keeps us active while raising funds for pediatric cancer research. Richie enjoys gardening, growing tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, and watermelon, and sharing the harvest with family and friends. We love to travel, from landmarks in New York and Chicago to weekend escapes in SoCal, and our first trip abroad to Italy sparked a passion for exploring new places, flavors, and cultures together. Music is another favorite, whether singing in the car or seeing our favorite artists live. At home, Eric experiments with new dinner recipes while Richie bakes his famous banana bread, always requested at holidays and birthdays. These passions bring us joy, and we can’t wait to share them with a future child, creating new adventures and traditions together.

I would consider myself driven, thoughtful, and hardworking—qualities I proudly inherited from my incredible parents, who have always been my role models. Some of my favorite childhood memories came from something most people wouldn’t expect: weekend chores. After Sunday morning cartoons and a pancake breakfast made by my dad, the house would come alive with 80s music, laughter, and an afternoon full of cleaning tasks—vacuuming, mopping, cleaning windows—each of us working together as a family. We sang, we laughed, and we got the job done. That blend of dedication, teamwork, and joy has stuck with me, and it’s exactly the kind of energy I’ve always envisioned bringing into my own life as a dad—hard work mixed with a lot of heart, a little silliness, and maybe a killer playlist in the background!

One of the first things you’ll notice about Eric is his bright, infectious smile, it instantly draws people in and reflects the kind, caring heart behind it. He’s the kind of person who’s always there for others, ready to lend a hand or drop everything to support a loved one. I’ve seen firsthand the joy and love he brings to his relationships, especially with his godchildren and nephew, and I know he’s going to be an incredible, hands-on dad. Eric throws himself wholeheartedly into everything he does, whether it's a work project, a home renovation, or training for a race, he gives it his all with enthusiasm and determination. He’s also been incredibly supportive and understanding throughout the adoption process, which I believe is deeply rooted in his own family experience. Eric’s father came into his life when he was just three years old and has always treated him as his own, without hesitation or distinction. That experience has shaped Eric into someone who understands that love makes a family, and I know he will carry that same open-hearted love into parenthood.

The first thing you’ll probably notice about me is my energy. I wake up every day with a smile and a positive outlook, ready to embrace whatever adventure life has in store. I approach life with lightheartedness and humor, which I believe makes the journey even more enjoyable. As the middle child and only boy between two strong-willed sisters, I learned early on the value of working hard toward my goals and believing that anything is possible. I’m proud to be a first-generation college graduate, and today I work for “the mouse” at The Walt Disney Company—a place that brought me some of my happiest childhood memories and still inspires my creativity and sense of fun. I can’t wait to one day share the Disney magic with my future child. When I’m not working, you’ll often find me playing with our pets Piper and Gemma or out running or cycling, training for my next big race. Life is full of exciting possibilities, and I’m eager to share them with my growing family.

Meet Richie—the silliest, most genuine, and high-energy person you’ll ever meet, with a knack for making sure no one around him goes without a smile! His sharp wit and great sense of humor keep life light, while his intelligence (especially his impressive math skills as our resident home accountant) keeps things running smoothly. Richie is a natural caretaker, whether he’s tending to his thriving vegetable garden or spoiling our pets with love and attention. Watching him step into his role as “Uncle Richie” to our new nephew Benji has been nothing short of heartwarming—protective when needed, but always ready to make Benji giggle! I know he’ll be an incredible father, keeping his child safe, loving them deeply, and making sure they grow up always smiling through every chapter of life.

Welcome! We live in sunny Santa Clarita, California, the same warm and welcoming city where Eric grew up. Our home sits at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac, with a spacious backyard lined with fruit trees and a thriving vegetable garden. We love the safety and walkability of our neighborhood, and love going for a run or bike ride on the miles of winding bike paths that connect so much of the city. One of the biggest blessings is having Eric’s parents living just a couple of miles away, making it easy to share time together. Nearby, there’s a large park that hosts concerts, festivals, and seasonal celebrations, adding to the sense of community we cherish. We’ve always dreamed of starting a family in this home, and we can’t wait for the day we can walk our child to the nearby elementary school—alongside our dog Gemma of course!

Gemma is our sweet 2-year-old pup who completely stole our hearts. We found her at a pet adoption event during a grocery run, and from the moment we saw her, we knew she was meant to be ours. Gentle yet playful, she loves cuddling on the couch just as much as chasing a ball in the backyard. As the first dog we adopted together, she’s become Piper’s playful sister, and we know she’ll be a wonderful companion for our future child.

Piper is our curious and playful 1 year old kitty. We adopted Piper from a local rescue, and while she was shy at first, her personality quickly blossomed after bonding with Gemma. Piper is a sweet, playful kitty whose curious and sometimes clumsy nature has led to funny adventures, like jumping into the shower or tumbling off the window sill. She has endless love to give, and we know she’ll be just as excited to share it with a future best friend.

We are so fortunate to be surrounded by a large and loving network of immediate and extended family, along with close friends who truly feel like family. Richie’s dad lives with us, and both of our families are nearby throughout the greater Los Angeles area, which means we get to spend plenty of quality time together. Many of our closest friends have children who call us "uncles", and several have honored us by naming us godparents—a role we cherish deeply. We love hosting gatherings in our backyard, bringing together everyone important in our lives and blending family and friends. Seeing everyone enjoying food together, hearing the laughter of our nieces, nephews and godchildren playing, and creating memories as a family is something we deeply cherish.

From camping trips to Christmas Eve tamales, traditions keep us connected. For years we’ve joined close friends on an annual camping trip—a tradition they welcomed us into and one that has become even more special as we were named godparents to several of their children. These trips now feel like one big extended family adventure, and we look forward to the day our future child can join in, roasting marshmallows, kayaking, and making lasting memories. We also treasure holiday traditions, especially Christmas Eve with Eric’s family. The evening begins with joyful chaos as we make dozens of tamales together, filling the house with delicious smells and laughter. Surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins, we dive into games, music, and warm conversation before a lively gift exchange at midnight. It’s a night full of love and memories we can’t wait to share with our future child.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about us. We are deeply grateful for the strength and love it takes to create an adoption plan, and we are humbled by the possibility of being part of your baby’s story. If chosen, we promise to honor the trust you place in us and to cherish your child with our whole hearts.

With open hearts, Eric and Richie