Adoption has profoundly impacted our lives. Heather was adopted at birth, and her positive experience has always been a guiding light in our decision to adopt. Understanding the love and support that adoption can bring to a family, we are passionate about creating the same loving environment for our adopted child. Our extended family, which includes both biological and adoptive members, is a testament to the beautiful connections that adoption fosters. We believe these experiences enable us to empathize and connect deeply with our adopted child. Heather's ability to relate to the challenges and joys of being an adoptee allows us to approach adoption with a unique and compassionate perspective. Our commitment to maintaining open and honest communication about adoption ensures our children will always feel secure and understood. We are dedicated to celebrating our child's heritage and identity, providing them with a sense of belonging and a deep connection to their personal history. Adoption is a cherished and integral part of our family's story, and we are excited to expand our family through this meaningful journey.

Our family traditions revolve around spending quality time together and celebrating special moments. We enjoy regular family game nights, dinners set around the dining room table, and holiday celebrations. In addition to our annual Sedona Trip over Thanksgiving or our annual trip to Smith Mountain Lake to celebrate the Fourth of July, we also take a family trip to explore new places and create lasting memories. During the holidays, we decorate the house and enjoy festive activities. We also have a tradition of reading bedtime stories together, fostering a love for books and shared moments of imagination and comfort. These traditions create a sense of creative freedom and joy, providing our children with cherished memories and a strong sense of belonging. Our holiday traditions are especially meaningful, as they bring our extended family together, fostering community and togetherness. We also celebrate birthdays with special activities and personalized touches, ensuring each family member feels loved and appreciated. These traditions are an integral part of our family life, reinforcing our values of love, connection, and togetherness, and we are excited to share these special moments with our future child.

Parenting means providing unconditional love, guidance, and support to our children. We cherish the opportunity to nurture and help them grow into kind, confident individuals. We love witnessing our daughter's curiosity and excitement as she explores the world, and we look forward to sharing and enhancing these moments with another child. Parenthood brings immense joy and fulfillment, from the everyday routines to the big milestones. We are excited to offer a loving, stable home filled with laughter, learning, and endless possibilities. The most rewarding aspect of parenting is seeing our child's happiness and development, knowing we are contributing to their well-being and overall emotional intelligence. We believe in fostering a safe and nurturing environment where children feel valued, seen, and encouraged to pursue their interests. The bond we share with our daughter, Fiona, is a testament to the joy and fulfillment that parenting brings, and we eagerly anticipate expanding our family and experiencing these precious moments with another child.

We live in a charming four-bedroom, three-bathroom home perched on a hilltop in La Mesa, California. From our home, we enjoy sweeping views of Mount Helix and Cowles Mountain. Recently, we renovated the front yard to include a putting green and a sun deck, perfect for some front porch sitting and entertaining.

The main living area is on the first floor, featuring three bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining area, and an expansive living room. This open space is filled with light and serves as the heart of our home. Downstairs, a lively game of ping pong often takes place, with Jimi challenging guests and teaching the little ones how to play. The fourth bedroom and bath are also downstairs, where Jimi usually works from home.

Heather delights in decorating our home for the holidays, drawing inspiration from Dia de Los Muertos. She adorns the house with bright-colored textiles and creates an ofrenda, or altar, to honor and remember family members who have passed away. Although we both identify as Caucasian, the ofrenda holds deep significance and is treated with great reverence. In December, the house transforms with a simple Christmas tree, decorated with the help of young family members, often incorporating handmade crafts.

Outside the home, the neighborhood is lovely and walkable, perfect for those who don't mind a few hills. Just a mile away is a vibrant downtown area where we enjoy the farmer's market and local celebrations.

Our home is a warm, welcoming space filled with love and cherished traditions, eagerly awaiting the joy of another child to share in our lives.

We feel incredibly fortunate to live near our large, loving families. Jimi's side boasts a cousin network of eight siblings, four of whom live in California. Most are married with children, and their gatherings are lively affairs with cousins ranging from five to ten years old.

Heather's family is just as close-knit. Her father, stepmother, brothers, and three nephews live a mere eight-minute drive away. The proximity allows for frequent visits and impromptu get-togethers.

Family gatherings are the heart of their social calendar. Birthdays and holidays are celebrated with gusto, each event a tapestry of laughter and joy. Easter Sunday is a particular highlight when our home transforms into a festive wonderland. Our backyard becomes the scene of an epic Easter egg hunt. The children, eyes wide with excitement, scour the yard for their personalized "big" egg. Each egg is a treasure trove of trinkets and summer swimwear, a tradition that brings delight year after year.

As you navigate this complex and emotional journey, please know we are writing to you with the utmost compassion and empathy. We cannot pretend to fully understand the depth of your feelings, but we want you to know that we hold so much grace for you. Your experiences and choices, whatever they may be, are valid and worthy of respect.

Our intention is to create a supportive and loving environment for your child, one that acknowledges and honors their past while providing them with a secure and nurturing future. As someone who was adopted, Heather can intimately relate to the nuances of this experience. There were a few elements in her own adoption journey that provided her with a sense of stability and understanding, and we hope to offer the same to your child.

One of the most meaningful items she had growing up was a simple letter from her biological mother. This letter, written on a single piece of pink-lined stationery, was kept in her baby book. As a young girl, she often reflected on this simple note. It served as a tangible connection to her origins and gave her a sense of continuity and identity. Heather always knew she was adopted, as her parents never hid this fact from her. Knowing that she was chosen by her adoptive parents instilled in her a deep sense of being wanted and loved intentionally; it made a profound impact on her self-esteem and sense of belonging.

In our own journey as parents, we have come to understand the importance of allowing children to form their own identities. This wisdom has shaped our approach to parenting, both with our daughter, Fiona, and with the child we hope to adopt. We firmly believe that children come through us but are not us; they have their own unique paths and purposes.

As we envision raising siblings, one through natural birth and one through adoption, we often reflect on the concept of choice. We tell Fiona that she chose us, and we will tell our second child that we chose them. This narrative helps reinforce the idea that love and family bonds are intentional and deeply meaningful.

We are fully committed to creating a home where love is abundant and acceptance is unconditional. Our own experiences with life's complexities have equipped us to navigate all the "messy bits" with grace and an open heart. We strive to remain open-minded and non-judgmental, understanding that every person's journey is unique.

The notion that "blood is thicker than water" does not resonate with us. We believe that families are defined by love and acceptance, not just by genetic ties. We are eager to contribute to the evolving narrative that families come in all shapes and sizes and that no single "right" way exists to create a family. Our goal is to instill in your child a sense of safety, confidence, and unconditional love, just as our parents did for us.

In closing, we want you to know that we approach this process with deep respect for you and the profound decision you are considering. Your child will be cherished and loved, and their story will always include you as an integral part. Thank you for considering us as potential parents for your child.

With compassion and gratitude,

Jimi & Heather