Since our wedding day more than 10 years ago, we knew we wanted to become parents. That is part of why we fell in love with each other. But we also knew that our story would not be typical.

We are a same-sex couple, raised in two completely different parts of the world, with families that don’t speak the same language...but our experiences have taught us that love is a universal language on its own. We know nothing about this is easy, but we hope that in the following pages you can feel the love we have for each other, the life of love we want to give your child, and our ability to navigate any challenge with love and a sense of humor.

We are pursuing adoption for many reasons, but at the heart of it is the hope of connecting with someone like you. There are many paths to building a family, but adoption is the one that feels most meaningful to us because it begins with trust, courage, and love. We hope for the opportunity to welcome a child into our lives—to learn and grow together, to support one another, and most of all, to love and be loved. While our desire to become parents is a big part of our “why,” we also recognize the incredible strength and care it takes for an expectant mother to consider adoption. We know this journey is deeply personal, and we never want to take that lightly. However long it takes, we are willing to wait for the right connection and the opportunity for something meaningful to unfold together.

We met through an app, and Santi was determined to set a date to meet in person. He finally convinced Mike, and we planned a beach day filled with thoughtful details—picnic, a walk along the shore, even some volleyball. Unfortunately, the tide was high, the weather was cold and cloudy, and just about every plan fell apart.

Sensing Mike’s disappointment, Santi made it his mission to keep the jokes coming and the mood light. Somewhere between shivering in the cold and laughing nonstop, we realized we had something more important than a perfect date—we had the kind of connection that could carry us through the imperfect ones.

These days, we plan our beach trips a little more carefully—but that first imperfect day is still one of our favorites.

I worked at recreation camps for nearly 10 years, and some of my favorite memories are of driving kids to field trips in a big yellow school bus. I never had the chance to go to camp when I was younger, so I always tried to be the counselor I wished I’d had. I led camp songs, organized relay races and arts and crafts—but the best part was always finding a way to make the kids smile. Parents would often tell me how naturally I connected with children and how well-suited I’d be to be a dad one day, and that’s something I’ve never forgotten. Even as a teenager, I was already working on my dad jokes.

My friends describe me as patient, kind, fun, creative, and thoughtful. I was a bit of a drama nerd in high school, and my first major in college was vocal performance in classical music—so yes, I’ve also been known to sing a little loudly in the shower. (Sorry, neighbors!)

At my core, I love making people laugh, I don’t take myself too seriously, and I try to bring a sense of joy and lightness to people.

Mike has a natural ability to make anyone smile and feel at ease in his presence. He has an exceptional voice and a true gift for singing, which he uses to bring joy to those around him. Whether it’s in the shower, at my parents’ wedding, or just for fun at home, Mike pours his heart into every song. But singing isn’t his only talent—he is also a successful architect, and I admire how he has turned his passion into a career where he truly thrives. He loves a good audiobook, enjoys his morning coffee, and spends much of his free time gardening. His green thumb is clear to anyone who sees our beautiful garden.

Mike is thoughtful, compassionate, and has a unique ability to understand people on an emotional level. Those who love him often describe him as someone “in touch with the universe,” a quality he inherited from his mom, with whom he shares a beautiful relationship. I can’t wait to see him as a dad!

Tennis has been a big part of my life—it helped me get to where I am today and continues to enrich my life in many ways. It all started when I was 9 years old in a small rural town in Argentina, where it quickly became my passion. With the support of my parents, that journey eventually brought me to the United States on an athletic scholarship in 2013. Today, I coach the varsity tennis team at a local high school, give private and group lessons, and run a tennis outreach program that supports underserved youth locally and in Latin America. My career is in public health, and I work locally.

I’m a glass-half-full kind of person who always looks for the bright side. I enjoy cooking for my loved ones and hosting asados (Argentinian-style BBQs) for friends at home. FaceTime calls with my family and friends in Argentina are part of my daily routine and help me stay close to my parents.

I love spending time at the beach, hiking in the mountains, and going on road trips around the country.

Santi is one of those people who truly lights up a room. I may be a little biased, but it’s something everyone seems to notice—he’s just someone people are naturally drawn to. He’s a natural coach and leader, with a way of getting others excited about whatever he’s passionate about. We often compete to tell the same stories, and while I like to think I’m a great storyteller, he somehow always makes them better. In any language, he understands people. (He did inherit a habit of talking with his hands from his Italian mom though, so if he’s telling a story, it’s best to keep a little distance!)

At the same time, Santi is incredibly disciplined and driven. As a former professional athlete, he holds himself to high standards and knows exactly what it takes to reach them. When he first came to the United States, he barely spoke English—but he learned quickly. That ability to rise to any challenge is something I’ve admired about him from the beginning.

We both share a love for the outdoors and feel incredibly lucky to live somewhere that makes it so easy to enjoy it. Whether it’s hiking, camping, surfing, or taking a quick trip to one of California’s many national parks, getting outside is how we recharge and spend time together.

During the week, Mike runs his own project management and design firm, while Santi works in public health. He’s also a high school tennis coach, private instructor, and works with nonprofits to make tennis more accessible to underserved youth both locally and in South America. We love playing tennis together—although Santi wins every time—and staying active is an important part of our lifestyle.

At home, Mike enjoys gardening and creating a space that feels calm and welcoming (and yes, everything is washable!). Our house is shared with our three pets—Archer and Lady, our dogs, and Queenie, our cat—so there’s always something going on. Archer and Lady love playing fetch and joining us on adventures, while Queenie prefers bird-watching and long naps in the sun.

All 5 of us, (two humans and three four-legged family members) can’t wait to share our lives, hobbies, and everyday moments with a new addition to our happy pack.

We live in a small coastal town in Southern California. Santa Barbara is known for its beautiful mountains, beaches, and year-round climate—and we’ve loved getting to know not just the places, but the people who make this community so special. Through our work, we’re both connected to the community in meaningful ways, which has helped us build strong relationships and a real sense of belonging. Santi teaches girls varsity tennis at the local high school and truly enjoys connecting with his players and their families. With Mike’s family nearby, we’re fortunate to have a support system close to home, and we never take that for granted.

At the same time, a big part of our hearts is in Argentina with Santi’s family. A few years ago, we bought land near where he grew up and are in the process of building a home there. It’s important to us that we stay closely connected to both sides of our family, and we look forward to spending extended time in Argentina as well.

While California and Argentina may be far apart on a map, to us they both feel like home.

Mike comes from a traditional middle-class upbringing in the suburbs, and his parents still live in the home he grew up in. His older brother moved to Austin years ago, which is what brought us to Texas for a time. While we loved being close to his brother, getting to know their community, and spending time with Mike’s nephew, we always knew Southern California was where we ultimately wanted to build our life. Now that we’re back, we spend a lot of weekends with Mike’s parents, along with cousins and extended family who live nearby.
Mike’s family is very musical, so gatherings often turn into lively karaoke nights—complete with a full band made up of family members.

Santi is also one of two brothers, and as the older sibling, he’s always been a leader in his family. His entire family lives in Argentina, and when we visit, it quickly turns into a full house with everyone coming together. At first, Mike wasn’t quite used to sharing a small space with so many people for days at a time—but he’s come to love Santi’s close-knit, mostly Italian family. The home-cooked meals, big personalities, and wonderfully dramatic conversations are now some of his favorite parts. There’s always laughter, lots of storytelling (and hand gestures!), and so much love.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know us and for considering us as part of your journey. We can only imagine the strength, love, and thought that has gone into this decision, and we have so much respect for you because of it. If you choose us, we promise to honor your story and the role you will always have in your child’s life. More than anything, we hope you can feel the love, stability, and joy we are ready to share, and we would be incredibly grateful for the chance to welcome your child into our family.