Hello! We are John and Brandon from sunny Los Angeles, California Brandon is from Hawaii and John is from New York, so it’s only fitting that we plan to raise our child between our two homes. Both of us were raised by not only immediate family members, but also others who treated us like their own. In the Hawaiian language, the word ‘ohana means “family,” but it represents so much more than that. To be part of an ‘ohana means to love and care for each other, regardless of whether you are related. We’re excited about the possibility of welcoming a child into our 'ohana and creating a warm, loving place for them to grow. Thank you for taking the time to get to know who we are.

From our first date, we both knew that starting a family was a future we wanted. Knowing that we’re unable to have biological children of our own, we’re choosing adoption as a meaningful way to grow our family and offer a warm, nurturing environment to the child we’re chosen to parent. We feel grateful that our personal and professional stability allows us to provide a loving home and supportive foundation for a child.

We met in January 2023 and instantly clicked to the point that we had our second date the following day! After the second date, we both either had work or personal travel, so we would go weeks before we met up again. During this time, we kept communications strong and took the time to get to know each other. As the days, weeks, and months progressed, we slowly starting building a life together. When not working, we enjoy spending time with each other, exploring Los Angeles and the surrounding area. You can usually find us walking the aisles at different Costcos and Home Goods, as well as sitting in new and interesting restaurants. We also enjoy taking our dog, Regina, to the local dog park to run around and socialize with other dogs. When at home, we like to clean the house together and experiment with various dinner recipes in the kitchen.

I was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, where community is woven into everyday life. I grew up surrounded not only by my parents but also by my “hanai” family, which included neighbors and family friends who treated me as if I were their own. As a kid, I did not even realize we were not related. They were simply my aunties and uncles, just like my blood relatives. That sense of family and community shaped how I see the world. Wherever I’ve lived, I’ve carried the Hawaiian spirit of caring for others. It has become the foundation of who I am, both personally and in my work as an attorney. At my core, I am rooted in community, connection, and looking out for others.

Brandon is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. That was something I picked up on during our first date. One of the things I love most about him is his ability to make you feel like the center of the universe when he’s speaking with you. I always feel a sense of warmth and calmness when I’m around him. I’ve seen him around his friends with young children and also around my niece and he’s so good with them. I know that this feeling that I have will translate over to how much he’ll love and care for our future child.

I was born and raised in New York City and moved to Los Angeles about 17 years ago. I’d like to think I get to live the bi-coastal life. I’m the oldest of three and I get the joys of being an uncle while spoiling my nephews and niece. I work in college admissions out here in Los Angeles. I really enjoy what I do because education was such a life changing experience for me and I get to guide high school students through the process. Outside of work, I love traveling, going back to New York to see my family, and exploring all that Los Angeles has to offer. fun fact about me, I’m fluent in Cantonese Chinese!

One of the things I love most about John is how deeply he values family and friends. He’s the kind of person who maintains lifelong friendships—friends who would describe him as a true “ride or die.” Even though many of them live more than 2,500 miles away, he keeps those bonds strong, and when they reunite, it feels as if no time has passed at all. His commitment to family is just as admirable. He texts or talks with his siblings every day, and he chats with his mom in NYC nearly daily, even if only to check in on her. The importance John places on nurturing his relationships is a rare quality. It strengthens our own relationship and will continue to enrich our family as we welcome our future child.

We live in a condo in the Hollywood Hills. It offers the best of both worlds, access to the city while tucked away in a peaceful and quiet community. We enjoy walking our dog around the complex where there’s also a hiking trail that leads to an overlook of Hollywood. We envision spending time with our child in the pool teaching them how to swim and eventually enjoy the game of tennis where we have multiple courts in the complex. Our community is a wonderful place to live and we enjoy every moment of it!

Regina is a 1.5 year old honey-blonde dog that’s full of energy. Neither of us grew up with pets, so it’s very exciting to imagine our child being able to grow up with her. She’s playful and loves her belly rubs. She’s only 10lbs and thinks she’s much bigger than she is, but will always ensure we’re protected by patrolling the door step!

A fun fact about the both of us is that we are both one of three siblings and each have a brother and sister. We’re excited for our child to experience the joys of uncles and aunts. They also have families of their own making for many cousins to play with. Our families live in Los Angeles, New York City, and Hawaii. Having family in all these places, we value giving our child the chance to experience NYC and all it offers, while also enjoying the beauty and calm of island living in Hawaii. Additionally, we have a supportive network of other friends who went through the process of adoption and we very much consider them to be part of our chosen family.

As a child of immigrant parents, Chinese New Year is John’s favorite holiday. He’ll make the trip back to NYC every year to spend time with families and loved ones while watching the lion dances and eating delicious food. Brandon’s favorite holiday is Christmas. Since we’ve moved in together, the house is always festive. The tree is up, Christmas music is constantly playing, and there’s always a fresh batch of cookies.

We both come from humble beginnings, so hard work is a value that’s deeply important to us and one we hope to pass on to your child. Our own experiences of perseverance have shaped who we are today.

Both of us came from meager beginnings, but never felt like anything was missing in our lives because of the love and community we were surrounded by growing up. For John, growing up in a Chinatown meant being in close proximity to family members. His favorite memories have always been family dinner at his grandparents’ tiny apartment where three generations gathered for food and laughter. This is an experience that still happens to this day during major holidays, but now with four generations! For Brandon, he grew up surrounded not only by his parents but also by his “hanai” family, which includes neighbors and family friends who treated him like their own. As a kid, he did not even realize they were not related. They were simply his aunties and uncles, just like his blood relatives. At our core, we are rooted in community, connection, and looking out for others. We want to be able to do that for your child as well.

Thank you for considering us as a family for your child. We cannot begin to imagine the courage and strength it takes to walk this path. We know that the decision you are making comes from a place of profound love, and we are honored that you took the time to learn more about us. We promise to provide a home filled with laughter, encouragement, and support. We promise to nurture their dreams, celebrate their uniqueness, and help them grow into the person they’re meant to be.