It takes so much courage to choose what you feel is best for you and your child. You are strong and selfless! No matter what, we want you to know that you are seen, valued, and respected. We are so excited to become parents! Our hearts are open and ready to welcome a child with unconditional love and support. Our home is filled with warmth, happiness, and a deep commitment to family. We promise to love and cherish your child, ensuring they always know how deeply loved they are by all who are part of their story. Your child’s days will be filled with adventures—both big and small—whether it’s discovering new places, learning new things, or being encouraged to dream big. They will always have open arms to hold them, ears to listen to them, and hearts that love them completely.

Senior year of high school, we were paired as lab partners. After graduation, Tessa mustered up the courage to ask Mark out on a date. We’ve been together ever since! We navigated long-distance through college, but the best part was studying abroad in Copenhagen for six months—an adventure we’ll never forget. After graduation, we moved into our first apartment, just a short walk from the beach, where we spent our days soaking up the sun. A few years later, we moved into our forever home and started fixing it up—Mark’s woodworking skills and Tessa’s love for decorating turned it into a place we’re proud to call home. Along the way, we welcomed our sweet labradoodle, Phoebe, who fills our lives with joy. After twelve years, we’ve shared so many memories—laughing, cooking, traveling—and we look forward to creating many more!

Tessa is such a kind, nurturing, and gentle soul. I am beyond lucky to have spent the last 12+ years loving her. She is one of the most selfless people I know. She sets reminders for everyone’s birthday on her phone, remembers which snacks our friends like, and keeps them stocked in our cupboards. Her thoughtfulness is endless, and she consistently finds ways to make the people around her feel valued and special. She brings that same care to her work at the city senior center, where she creates meaningful connections and spreads joy every day. I can’t wait to see Tessa become a mother because I know she has so much love to give. Watching her care for our family and friends already fills me with pride, and I am so excited to see her share that love as a mother.

Mark is the kindest, funniest, & most patient person I know. He’s incredibly smart, and as a physical therapist, he has a heart for helping others. He has a natural gift with kids, from his time as a swim instructor to the way he lights up around our nieces, nephews, & friends. Every morning, he makes me breakfast, and every day, he fills our home with laughter—usually with a trivia fact, a witty joke, or a silly song about our dog, Phoebe. He’s thoughtful, dependable, & always willing to go the extra mile for the people he loves. I know without a doubt that he will be an amazing father—one who is patient, fun, and full of love.

Pheobe is our sweet, silly little 5-year old Labradoodle. She is great with kids & people in general, and is definitely excited to be a big sister.

We are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by a village filled with family and lifelong friends. Tessa and Mark’s parents are never far, always ready to offer love and support. Our extended family is big and full of life—Tessa’s five aunts and uncles, eight cousins (and their 14 kids!), plus Mark’s three best friends from high school, all of whom feel like family. Many of our friendships have lasted decades. Tessa’s middle school and college friends, most of whom are now married with children of their own, make up a strong & loving community. From spontaneous hangouts to cozy family dinners, our village is one of unwavering love, laughter, and support. Your child will grow up surrounded by people who will celebrate every milestone, lend a helping hand, and offer endless wisdom and care. We feel so blessed to raise our future family here, knowing they will always have a place where they are deeply loved and truly belong.

We are surrounded by both our biological and chosen family. Both sets of our parents play a big role in our lives, offering love, wisdom, and support. Mark’s parents always include us in fun plans like Disneyland trips, homemade pizza nights, or relaxing by their pool. Tessa’s cousin Kyle officiated our wedding, and his adorable daughters were our flower girls. Every year, we host a big family Christmas with over 20 loved ones, where we make family recipes and play games—cherished traditions we can’t wait to share with a child. We also love traveling to visit our extended family in Kansas City, where cheering at a soccer game together has become a favorite tradition. Our family is the heart of our lives, and we know this village will surround our future child with endless love & a deep sense of belonging.

During college, we studied abroad together in Copenhagen, Denmark, for six months—our first time living together. It was an incredible experience to grow alongside each other while exploring a completely new place. Traveling has remained a huge part of our lives. Mark’s favorite destinations include Cancun, Amsterdam, Berlin, Portland, and Colorado, while Tessa’s favorites are Paris, Italy, the Bahamas, Seattle, and Disney World in Florida. Whether we’re wandering the streets of a historic city or enjoying a quiet weekend getaway, we love experiencing new places together and can’t wait to share our sense of adventure.

Both of our lives have been shaped by adoption. Tessa’s older sister Ceana was adopted at birth, and Mark’s grandmother and aunt (both on his mom’s side) were adopted as well. As a result, both of us have felt called to become parents in this way also. Even though everyone’s story is different, we feel lucky that our child will have people in their life who will understand them and love them too! We are excited to welcome a child into our home and we can’t wait to nurture their curiosity, celebrate their unique personality, and support them through every stage of life.

Our greatest hope as parents is to create a home where our child feels safe, loved, and fully supported. We want them to play, run, explore, and try new things, knowing they have a strong foundation to grow from. Open and honest communication will be at the heart of our family—we will listen without judgment, offer guidance, and celebrate them every step of the way. We are committed to providing every opportunity we can, whether that means saving for their education, supporting their passions, or simply being there through life’s ups and downs. Above all, we want our child to know they are deeply loved—just as they are—and that our home will always be a place of warmth, understanding, and unconditional love.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about us! We hope that soon we will be able to get to know you, too! We know this is an incredibly important and personal decision, and we are honored that you would consider us as potential parents. We hold deep respect for your strength and the love you have for your child. If we are chosen to walk this path with you, please know that your child will grow up in a home filled with love, laughter, and unwavering support. We will cherish every moment, celebrate who they are, and provide a safe and nurturing environment where they can thrive.