Before we found our way to adoption, we tried to start a family through IVF, but were unsuccessful after two attempts over the course of a year. We poured all of our hope, love, and energy into those journeys, and when they didn't lead to the family we dreamed of, we grieved deeply.

However, those experiences profoundly changed us. They taught us patience, empathy, and how to hold each other through loss. Most of all, they reminded us that parenthood isn't about how a child comes into your life, but it's about the love and intention you bring once they're here.

Today, our hearts are at peace. We see our story was always meant to lead us here, to you, and to a child we will love completely, from the very beginning.

We are Jackie and Zach, a couple who live in New Jersey and work in Manhattan, which gives us such a special balance in life. At home, our world is built on family values: love, warmth, and traditions that keep us grounded. Just across the river, we have the gift of a city full of culture, global cuisine, and respect for people from every walk of life. We can't wait to raise a child surrounded by both the comfort of home and the richness of the world.

Sometimes life has a way of bringing two people together at exactly the right moment. Out of all the people in New York and New Jersey, we somehow found each other online in 2021.

Our first date was anything but ordinary: Jackie's godson's third birthday party. Zach arrived with a Spiderman action figure for the birthday boy, a small gift for his mom, and even a little surprise for Jackie. That first date lasted 10 hours, and by our second date, we were exploring Chicago together. Our third date took us to a wedding in Charleston, and we've been inseparable ever since. Over time, our relationship has grown stronger through countless adventures. We balance each other perfectly and have built a home filled with love, respect, trust, and a deep appreciation for different cultures and traditions.

Zach is an incredibly kind, smart, hard-working, and loving person with the COOLEST JOB! No two days are the same for Zach, whether it is meeting celebrities, singers, former Presidents, animated characters (Minions, The Muppets), or Sports role models (NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, etc.), working in television always keeps him on his toes! Zach also owns his own photo & video event marketing company, and has worked alongside even more people than his television job as he travels the country for events!

Zach also loves to cook (which is perfect, cause we both love to eat!), and we love trying new recipes and trying to recreate our favorite dishes from all of our travels around the world together. Zach's curiosity and playfulness, while being extremely patient, are so wonderful to see when he is spending time with our friends' children (all of our "nieces" and "nephews").

Zach was raised in the Jewish faith, and we still celebrate the high holidays and Hanukkah together at home. Zach's excitement about becoming a father shines through when he talks and plays with all of the kids around us.

Fun Facts

• Zach has held nearly every major sports trophy possible, even though he doesn't religiously follow any sport
• You can often find Zach popping up on television during the morning broadcast he works on!
• Zach loves technology and learning, and building new ideas for his business to bring his clients' visions to life
• In his free time, he loves to destress by building a huge Lego set (or maybe that causes more stress?)

Jackie has travelled around the world backwards and forwards (almost fully by herself), has visited 70 countries, and has been to every continent in the world! Jackie is a huge animal lover and has seen penguins, lions, elephants, zebras, rhinos, giraffes, silverback gorillas, orangutans, ostriches, kangaroos, and koalas all in their natural habitat.

For two years, she spent six months in South America, six months in Europe, six months in Asia / Australia, and six months in Sub-Saharan Africa (she has been on 17 safaris)! Jackie has also lived all over the States: Chicago, San Francisco, Austin, Manhattan, and now loves the suburban life in New Jersey.

Jackie works in the finance industry, and her office is in Manhattan, not far from Zach's work. Jackie is a natural caregiver and happily puts the needs of others before her own. She has a passion for seeing the world and loves every one of our "nieces and nephews" as much as her own family.

Jackie was raised both Catholic and Jewish and celebrated every high holiday with her parents and extended family. She still loves celebrating all holidays (even those she does not observe) and uses it as an excuse to always have a house full of people at all times.

Fun Facts

• Jackie is half Asian (Filipino), half Caucasian, and can speak five languages: English, Spanish, French, Tagalog (Filipino dialect), and Italian; although she is only fluent in English.
• She is often mistaken for countless other ethnicities and nationalities!
• Jackie loves trying new foods, especially anything spicy! She has far too many bottles of hot sauces (from all around the world) at the office and at home

The Best of our Relationship and Travels

We look forward to raising our child in an environment where they will always feel safe, cherished, and encouraged to explore life with curiosity and kindness. We both grew up in homes that valued family dinners to talk about our days, traditions, and connection. We are always looking forward to a new adventure, and will travel anywhere for good pizza! As an interracial couple, we treasure the richness that comes from blending cultures, traditions, and religions.

We have travelled around the world together to 14 countries since 2021: Anguilla, Aruba, Barbados, Colombia, Denmark, Greece, Maldives, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Sri Lanka, St. Martin, St. Thomas, and Sweden. We loved Colombia so much that we had a destination wedding in 2025 with our closest friends and family - shared with 80 people from 2 to 75 years old!

The world is big and full of wonder, and we cannot wait to explore it for the first time through a child's eyes!

THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE US

Our child will grow up surrounded by people who cheer loudly, hug tightly, and show up for every milestone.

Zach's Family

Zach grew up in Massachusetts and has several adopted family members, including his older brother!

Zach's family covers every area of the country, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Nevada, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida!

Jackie's Family

Jackie grew up in Chicago, and originally had 16 aunts and uncles and over 75 cousins!

Almost all of Jackie's family still lives in Illinois and California, with plenty of extended family in the Philippines.

Jackie has made such close relationships with people around the world and also considers them her extended family - most of them live on the other side of the world in Australia, Asia, Europe, and South America!

• Treat others the way you want to be treated
• Follow your dreams
• Tell others you love them
• Laugh all the time
• Be kind to others, you never know if they are having a bad day
• Be curious about the world, try new foods, visit new places, and learn new ideas
• Be respectful and understanding
• Learn from others
• Leave places better than how you found them

We live on a quiet tree-lined street in New Jersey, about 35 minutes away from Manhattan. Our neighborhood is family-friendly, full of restaurants, close to parks, and highly-rated schools. Our home is filled with laughter, conversation, and the kind of comforting routines that matter: shared meals, reading together, spending time with family and friends, and embracing our cultural surroundings. We always love having people over for summer barbecues, the holidays, and for everyone's children (and dogs!) to run around in the backyard and throughout our home.

We enjoy cooking together, international travel, exploring new restaurants, going to Broadway shows/movie premieres, going to museums, concerts, family game nights, time with our friends' children, and watching the latest binge-worthy TV shows. We value diversity, learning from others, experiencing different traditions and foods, and w look forward to raising a child who feels connected to that world.

From the moment we learned that you were bringing this precious life into the world, our hearts have been overflowing with gratitude, admiration, and love for you both. We see the courage, strength, and selfless love it takes to make this choice, and we are deeply humbled by the trust you have placed in us.

You have given us the most extraordinary gift: the chance to love, nurture, and guide this beautiful child through life. There is no greater act of love than the one you have shown. We promise that your child's life will always be filled with warmth, laughter, safety, and unconditional love.

Your child will always know where they came from - and that they were brought into the world by two incredible people whose love and courage made their story possible. We will honor you both every day, not only in our words, but in the way we raise your child: with compassion, strength, and an open heart.

We will make sure they know how deeply they are loved by you, and how that love will always be a part of who they are. Our promise to you is to provide a life filled with opportunity, belonging, and joy-and to keep your love as a living part of their story forever.

Thank you, from the depths of our hearts, for your strength, your trust, and your love. We carry you with us always, and we will forever be grateful for the gift you have given.

With all our love and respect,

Jackie and Zach