We met in Washington, DC on an adult kickball team in 2016. We were friends for a few months before we officially started dating, and it's been a home run ever since! We have a mutual love for the outdoors (especially hiking in the National Parks), going to musicals, and spending quality time with friends and family - especially our four nieces and one nephew.

In November 2022, we got married in front of our family and friends just outside of Washington, DC. The day was filled with love, support, and...Dolly Parton! Our first dance was to "Baby, I'm Burnin'" and even featured original choreography.

In the summer of 2023, we moved to Brad's hometown of Austin, TX, to be closer to family, as we knew we wanted to start a family of our own. Finally settled in Austin, we enjoy spending time with our family and friends, walking our 4-year-old dog, Winnie, playing pickleball, and figuring out which Tex-Mex restaurant has the best queso.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO TOGETHER

• Travel - we love to travel, experience different cultures, and try different cuisines!
• Stay active - we love to exercise, go on bike rides, and play pickleball
• Hike - Our happy place is anywhere outdoors, but especially in the mountains, hiking in nature
• Walks with our dog, Winnie - As a way to unwind, we love taking our dog, Winnie, for walks in our neighborhood and around Austin

TOLD BY BRAD

JM was born with a song in his heart, and he hasn't stopped singing since! He's always updating his Spotify playlist with the newest bop, or singing in the shower (loudly!) JM loves music, and you'll almost never find him without a portable speaker, so I'm sure he'll instill this same passion for music in your little one, whether through a nighttime lullaby or a Disney sing-along during long car trips.

But the one thing JM loves more than music are the people in his life. To his parents, he is the responsible eldest son who checks in on them when they're traveling to the Philippines and teaches them how to upgrade their cell phones. To his nieces and nephew, he is the playful uncle who provides piggyback rides and trips to the trampoline park and Chuck-E-Cheese. To his friends, he is the master planner who is always coordinating a game night, dinner at a restaurant, or a weekend hike. JM gives his all to those around him. He never forgets a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion, and he obsesses over finding the right gift, and wrapping paper, to make his loved ones feel special.

"JM was born with a song in his heart"

Jon-Michael, or "JM" as his friends call him, was born on a U.S. naval base in the Philippines. JM is a first-generation American, and he grew up in the suburbs of Washington, DC. He is the oldest of three children and is incredibly close with his siblings, whom he FaceTimes weekly. His extended family is large--his dad is one of six children, and his mom is one of nine. With over 30 first cousins, many of whom were his best friends growing up, family has always been an important part of JM's life.

JM received his Bachelor's degree in Music and Business from Syracuse University (Go Orange!). After college, JM worked as an Arts Administrator before eventually pivoting careers to work in Human Resources. Currently, JM works as a Human Resources Director for a digital creative agency.

FUN FACTS

• JM has sung back-up for artists like Demi Lovato, Josh Groban, and Hugh Jackman (to name a few!)
• Aside from music, JM's hobbies include: crocheting, reading, and most recently, photography!
• JM's favorite holiday is Christmas, and you'll find him stringing lights on the house as early as November!

"HE WILL BE A WONDERFUL FATHER!"

TOLD BY JM

If I had to describe Brad in three words, they would be generous, nurturing, and adventurous. Brad has a huge heart and is always there for the people around him, whether it's helping unload a U-Haul for a big move or offering a listening ear. He genuinely cares for our community and shows up in the most thoughtful ways.

As an uncle, Brad is affectionately called "Funcle" by his sister Monica's two young daughters. He's patient, nurturing, and endlessly creative--whether he's helping them design outfits from scratch or jumping into the latest TikTok dance with enthusiasm (even if he has two left feet).

But what I love most about Brad is his adventurous spirit. He's always pushing me to explore new experiences, keeping life exciting and fresh. I know this sense of adventure, combined with his caring nature, will make him an incredible dad in this next chapter of our lives!

"Brad has a huge heart and is always there for the people around him"

Brad is the middle child and has two sisters (one older sister and one younger sister). He comes from a long line of teachers. His grandparents, mom, and oldest sister were all teachers, and his young nieces think they'd like to become teachers as well. His entire family lives in Texas, which provides him plenty of opportunities to play pickleball with his parents, visit the beach with his sisters, and cheer on his nieces at their softball games.

Brad received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas (Hook 'Em!) and his M.B.A from the University of Montana. Between his Bachelor's and M.B.A, Brad worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic. He currently works in sales for a healthcare tech company, which strives to improve the healthcare experience for patients.

FUN FACTS

• Brad lived in the Dominican Republic for 2.5 years and is fluent in Spanish... as long as you don't speak too quickly!
• Brad's favorite holiday is Halloween and he usually starts making his costume at least a month in advance
• Brad loves dessert - you'll never find the fridge without ice cream in it

"HE WILL BE AN AMAZING DAD!"

"We have always wanted to start a family."

As a same-sex couple, we have always known that our journey to parenthood would be different from the traditional path. While we are unable to conceive a child biologically, our desire to nurture, guide, and love a child is as strong as any parent's. Adoption offers us the beautiful opportunity to grow our family, to share our love and life with a child who needs a home. We believe that what makes a family is not just biology, but the unconditional love, support, and commitment we are ready to give as parents. Adoption is our way to fulfill our dream of becoming a family, and we are excited to embrace all the joys and challenges that parenthood brings.

"ADOPTION IS A WAY TO FULFILL OUR DREAM OF BECOMING A FAMILY"

We live in a peaceful neighborhood in Austin, surrounded by many families. Our home is a single-story ranch-style house with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, spanning about 2,000 square feet. It sits on a third-acre lot, featuring a spacious backyard with large, mature trees that provide plenty of shade on hot summer days. We take great pride in our home and love decorating, especially during major holidays. Brad goes all out for Halloween, while JM's favorite is Christmas--you can usually spot our house as the first on the street to be decked out for the season!

ABOUT "WINNIE"

Winnie is our four-year-old Vizsla, who has been with us since she was just 8 weeks old! We named her after "Winnifred Sanderson" from Hocus Pocus, one of Brad's all-time favorite movies.

Vizslas are often called "velcro Vizslas" because of their loyalty and love for being close to their families. Winnie is no exception--she's incredibly curious and always eager to be around people. Though her breed is known for being pointers, Winnie mostly points out the squirrels in the big trees in our backyard!

Winnie is an active dog who loves running in our yard, and going on walks with her dads, and she's recently taken a liking to swimming! She adores children, knows how to give them space, and is excited about the prospect of becoming a big sister!

WE LOVE TO BE OUTSIDE

As a couple, we've been lucky to explore many parts of the world together. We deeply value the experiences of immersing ourselves in diverse cultures and connecting with people from different backgrounds. Whether hiking the rugged trails of Patagonia, jet skiing along Croatia's stunning coastline, exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland, skiing down the peaks of Colorado, or getting lost in the winding streets of foreign cities, we believe that travel enriches our lives and brings the world closer together.

• OUR FAVORITE PLACE EVER: CROATIA
• WEIRDEST FOOD WE'VE HAD: FERMENTED SHARK IN ICELAND
• GREATEST EXPERIENCE: OUR HONEYMOON IN PATAGONIA

OUR FAMILY

Our families may appear quite different at first glance. JM's family lives in Virginia, and when you walk into their home you'll smell fresh "lumpia" (a Filipino eggroll) cooking in the kitchen, while a music competition plays on the TV. Brad's family lives in Texas. Most weekends they are smoking a brisket in the backyard while a Texas Longhorns football plays indoors. We come from different cultures, but in many ways our families are actually quite similar.

Both our parents gave us a strong work ethic, while reminding us that family still comes first. We still like to gossip about our extended family and neighbors with our siblings, just as we did when we were kids. Our nieces and nephews are the center of our heart- we love to hang out with them, FaceTime them, and see their personalities grow.

We are two cultures that have come together as one blended family.

OUR FRIENDS

We have a diverse group of friends who live both nearby and afar, many of whom have been a part of our lives for over 20 years. These friendships have brought us an abundance of love, laughter, and countless cherished memories.

As we move through the adoption process, they've been some of our biggest cheerleaders, always eager for updates and offering support at every turn (even when we don't expect it!). They are just as excited as we are to welcome a little one into our lives and have already claimed their roles as honorary aunts and uncles.

FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY

"JM & Brad embody what's good in this world. In watching the consistency, intentionality, humor, love, and support they bring to my children's lives. I know without a doubt they will be excellent parents."-Monica - Brad's sister

"They have watched, played, and spent quality time with my kids. This energy and attention is what will make them great fathers"-Sherry - JM's sister

"Many people in our friend group have kids, and JM and Brad are very sweet, interactive, and kind with our kids."-Liz - Friend

"They have always shown great love, affection, and care with my kids."-Lex - Coworker

"JM and Brad are outgoing, honest, compassionate, involved, and fun."-Gene & Johanna - Neighbors

"JM and Brad are kindness, warmth, strength, and goodness, and will make the absolute best fathers."-Yannick - Friend

BUT WE CAN APPRECIATE YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ OUR PROFILE!

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us. We are filled with optimism and hope as we look toward the future, and we deeply respect the courage and trust it takes to make this decision.

Our promise to you is simple and heartfelt: we will love your baby unconditionally, with all of our hearts. We will uplift them and be their strongest advocate. We will honor their birth story because we understand the importance of family and identity. We want your child to always know where they come from and who they are. We might be their new fathers, but you will always be their mother.

We also want you to be as involved in your child's life as you wish. We are open to sharing photos, stories, and moments--whatever brings you comfort and connection.

Your child will grow up surrounded by love, adventure, and a deep appreciation for the world around them. Our friends and family, who form a warm and supportive community, will welcome your child with open arms and love them unconditionally.

XOXO

JM & BRAD