We’re Devin and Graham, along with our dogs Thelma and Rocky, and we want to thank you for taking the time to learn about us. We are a happily married couple who have built a loving, stable life together, filled with laughter, close family, and a lot of love. We’ve always dreamed of becoming parents and adoption feels like a deeply meaningful way for us to grow our family.
We have always imagined building a family together, and becoming parents has been a shared dream since early in our relationship. As a deeply committed couple, we’ve created a loving, stable home and feel ready to give a child the same support and unconditional love we’ve given each other.
Adoption has always felt like the right path for us. We believe family is created through love, intention, and commitment, and we’re drawn to the opportunity to provide a safe, nurturing home for a baby.
Now feels like the right time because our lives, careers, and support systems are aligned, and we’re prepared to welcome a baby into our family. We have a shared desire to grow, to give, and to build the kind of family we’ve always envisioned with a child at the heart of it.
Every great modern love story seems to involve the internet, and ours is no exception. We matched on a dating app and met for our first date at a coffee shop. While we both went into the date with little to no expectations, we hoped to at least lead with our unique personalities. Those plans were dashed when we showed up wearing the exact same outfit. Great minds think alike, I guess!
That first date led to a second, where Devin was in charge of bringing dessert to Graham’s apartment. Unfortunately, poor planning led to the only option available: vegan ice cream. Graham was skeptical, but the conversation lasted for hours, so Devin got a pass. By our fourth date, we were in love.
Even living in different cities, Los Angeles for Graham and San Francisco for Devin, we made it work with long FaceTime dinner dates and frequent visits. Eventually, Devin landed a wonderful opportunity in L.A. and moved back for good, quickly expanding our family with two amazing rescue dogs. Before long we moved in together, got married, and bought a home in a wonderful neighborhood where we can’t wait to grow our family.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I loved creative writing and spent much of my time collecting comic books and baseball cards. I attended USC for my English degree and later earned my Master’s in Professional Writing. I enjoy swimming and for much of my 30s I was an avid dodgeball player, joining multiple leagues to stay active and meet new friends. I also love to bake and travel, but my greatest joys, besides my husband, are our two dogs. While I originally dreamed of becoming a writer, I discovered my passion for events and fundraising during my time at USC.
I recently started a new role at Shriners Children’s Southern California, raising much-needed money for children in need. My family is incredibly close; we all live within about 15 minutes of each other (traffic permitting)! Empathy has always been a guiding value in my life, shaping the way I connect with people. I look forward to sharing these values with our future child, teaching them joy, compassion, curiosity, and the confidence to become their own person.
Devin radiates a child-like sense of joy to those he meets - his infectious laughter and playful nature, especially around young children, are reasons alone why he will be a great father!
Devin also possesses a profound sense of emotional acuity; he can not only tap into his own emotions, he is also adept at communicating them effectively and courageously. Additionally, Devin is very empathic, able to pick up on even the slightest of changes in the energy of a room. I find this to be one of his greatest assets as a partner, and undoubtedly a skillset that will serve him well as a future parent.
When one of our dogs is sick, injured, overstimulated, or simply displaying any abnormal behavior, Devin is able to quickly pick up on it and address it effectively. Therefore, I do not worry about what to do if our future child is in distress, Devin will be there with an action-oriented solution.
Of the five love languages, Acts of Service resonates with me most. I naturally gravitate toward helping others, offering practical support both in my relationships and in my work as a high school science teacher. I credit this to my parents, a chemical engineer and a registered nurse, who provided a loving and supportive home in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Teaching has felt like a calling since I was fifteen. I’ve always been curious about the world, and early mentors encouraged that spirit of inquiry. After teaching swim lessons, leading group fitness classes, and assistant coaching cross-country, I realized how deeply I valued mentorship. I completed my degree at UC San Diego in three years, earned my Master’s in Education at UCLA two years after that, and have spent the last fifteen years teaching Chemistry and AP Environmental Science.
My goal is to create a safe, engaging classroom that inspires students to think critically about their world. My proudest accomplishment is completing my Ed.D. dissertation on improving support systems for LGBTQ+ students. Outside of work, I love traveling, live music, fitness, cooking, and reading. As a father, I hope to instill curiosity, kindness, and individuality in our child.
When I first met Graham, I was immediately struck by his incredible personality. He’s one of those people whose depth of love is visible the moment you look into his eyes. He has a true passion for food, and he approaches everything he cares about with thoughtfulness and intention.
Graham isn’t someone who wears his heart on his sleeve, but his love shows clearly through his actions. On a recent walk, when one of our dogs wandered too close to the street, he instinctively scooped her up without hesitation. Every night, he makes sure we’re all settled in and safe before doing his routine of turning off the lights. These small but meaningful gestures speak volumes about who he is.
He is a deeply cerebral partner who leads with both logic and love, which brings balance and stability to our marriage. Graham is a caretaker at heart and has been intentional about strengthening his communication as a husband, ensuring we stay aligned in our goals, values, and vision for our family and future.
We live in a wonderful little neighborhood in Los Angeles called View Park. It’s a very tight knit community where every neighbor stops to greet you. We walk our dogs every day to the park a couple blocks away where there will always be a child’s birthday or a family reunion event happening.
We were both raised in city life, so our home is similarly situated near a bustling area. On the weekends, we will drive 15-minutes to the beach to walk around on the pathway while drinking our iced coffee. What’s wonderful about the location is that we are a 20-minute drive to Devin’s parent’s house, the same house he grew up in.
When we want to go out, we’re similarly close to West Hollywood and Beverly Hills for a nice night out for a date night or to meet up with friends. A lazy Sunday typically looks like silencing our usual 7am alarm clock to sleep in. Our dog Rocky will lovingly encourage us to get up with kisses and an urgency to pet him. As we get up, we walk the dogs, and have some coffee. One of us will go to the supermarket or a workout while the other watches the dogs and tidies up the house. We’ll see some friends, go to the dog park, and have what we lovingly refer to as a “family-focused” day.
Meet Rocky - Rocky was adopted by Devin when he was five years old; he’s now twelve. From the moment he came into our lives, it was clear he was full of personality. Rocky adores people and other dogs alike, often running straight to anyone’s feet in hopes of earning a back scratch or two. His favorite pastimes include napping in sunny spots, chewing on his beloved frisbee, and cuddling with his dads at the end of a long day. Rocky’s gentle, loving nature makes him an irreplaceable part of our family.
Meet Thelma - Thelma came to us at five years old as well; she’s now eight. Rescued from a puppy mill, she arrived underweight, fearful, and unsure of the world. With patience, care, and lots of love, she has blossomed into the most affectionate member of our family. Thelma loves playing with Rocky, showering anyone willing with kisses and, unfailingly, snoring loudly during naps. Watching her grow and trust again has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. Together, Rocky and Thelma bring joy, laughter, and unconditional love to our home on a daily basis.
Devin’s Family - My mom, Marilyn, and my dad, Errol have been happily married for over 55 years. My younger sister, Whitney lives close by in the valley in a condo with her dog, Oliver. My older sister, Erica, lives with her husband, Zach in the valley as well with their two dogs. As you can tell, we’re a dog-centric family! We’re all very close and see each other for family gatherings every couple of weeks. My two best friends, Lizy and Tina live close to us, and each of them have two children (Tina has two girls, Iva and Tessa - and Lizy has two boys, William and Daniel). I am proudly the godparents of all 4 children.
Graham’s Family - My mom, Kim, and dad, Jeff have been happily married for nearly 40 years. They live in Pennsylvania and are very loving, kind, and generous. They are both retired which allows them time to relax. My sister, Erin lives in Portland, OR and works in food safety! My parents would drop what they’re doing in an instant if Devin or I needed their help in any capacity. My best friend, Leilani, just had her first child last year, a girl named Clara.
Thank you for considering us as adoptive parents. If chosen, we promise to provide your child with a safe, nurturing, and joyful home, one filled with unconditional love, stability, laughter, and encouragement. We promise to honor your child’s story, to celebrate who they are, and to support them as they grow into their own unique person.
Thank you for allowing us to share a glimpse of our lives with you. We hold tremendous respect for you and the love guiding your decision, and we send you our warmest wishes, whatever path you choose.
~ Devin & Graham
