We've known since our very first date, over 14 years ago, that we both wanted to be fathers. To us, being parents means creating a loving, supportive environment where our child can thrive and feel secure. It's important to us that we teach our child to be kind, value others' perspectives, and celebrate diversity.

We're looking forward to the daily joys and challenges that come with parenting. We know it won't always be easy, but we can't imagine our future without children. We're excited about all the little moments—reading bedtime stories, cheering at sporting events, and attending school performances. We're also eager to help our child find their passions and discover who they want to be in the world, supporting them in every way possible to reach their goals.

Whether we're camping under the stars, enjoying our first family concert, or hunkering down for game night, we can't wait to experience life's adventures with our child. We're also excited to share some of our own cherished childhood experiences, like trips to the pumpkin patch, dressing up for Halloween, and spending summers away at camp.

Shawn's had the chance to help raise his niece and nephews, giving him invaluable experience and the confidence to know that, even though all parents make mistakes, we're ready to give our child an amazing life.

Josh About Shawn: Shawn is the most patient person you'll ever meet. He's incredibly reliable and always there for friends and family whenever they need him. Just recently, when his 94-year old grandfather started to get sick, Shawn dropped everything and drove to Utah to spend three weeks with him. Our friends know that if they're ever in trouble, they can count on Shawn with just a single phone call. Children naturally gravitate towards him—his patient, nurturing way makes him a magnet for kids. Plus, Shawn's passion for photography and woodworking is truly impressive; his craftsmanship and attention to detail are qualities I deeply admire.

Shawn About Josh: Josh has an incredible positive energy that's wonderfully infectious. He's kind, goofy, and always up for fun. Josh loves spending time with kids, sparking their imaginations, and just being a big kid himself. He's known as the "fun uncle," whether he's building forts, pretending to be a racecar driver, or exploring nature whenever we babysit for friends. Beyond that, Josh is extremely intelligent and an amazing communicator who can talk through anything, making him a great partner and friend.

We both bring unique strengths to our relationship, and we believe these qualities will help us create a loving, fun, and enriching environment for our future child.

It's incredibly important to us that our child, no matter their cultural background, feels secure in their identity and proud of their roots. We're committed to ensuring that our child has relationships and role models who look like them and can help them connect with their cultural heritage. This journey will involve ongoing education on our part, and we're eager to learn and grow to best support our child.

We'll incorporate their culture into our home in meaningful ways—through food, holidays, traditions, and travel—making sure our child feels deeply connected to their background. We believe that by celebrating and honoring their culture, we can help our child embrace who they are and where they come from, fostering a strong, positive sense of self.

We reside in a welcoming and family-friendly community in the beautiful state of Colorado. Our neighborhood is the kind where everyone knows each other and waves hello. It's an incredible place for any family, with annual block parties, 4th of July fireworks, and a summer concert series that bring everyone together.

Our house is a spacious 6-bedroom home located on a quiet cul-de-sac. We've got a great entertainment area in the basement, but our favorite spot is definitely the backyard. That's where we play with our dog Maisey, tend to our vegetable garden, and host family BBQs and movie nights. There's something special about hanging out there with friends and family, enjoying the fresh air.

We're also lucky to be so close to a wonderful elementary school that we see our neighbors walking their kids to and from every day. Many of them have young children and are just as excited as we are for us to adopt, so our kids can grow up together. Our community has a large park with playgrounds, running and biking trails, and sports fields, plus a local rec center that's always buzzing with activity. The neighborhood pool, just a short walk away, features fun water slides and splash pads, making it the perfect spot for summer fun.

It's a vibrant, active place for families, and we can't wait to welcome a child into this loving and supportive environment.

Our community is a blend of close-knit relatives and friends who make up our chosen family. Shawn has a large family, with six siblings, sixteen nieces and nephews, and nearly forty cousins. Although Josh's family is much smaller, Josh's brother, Jeremy, lives in a wheelchair-accessible apartment in our backyard and is a consistent presence in our lives.

Our chosen family of incredibly supportive friends has been built over the past 10 years. Many of them work as early childhood educators and therapists. We all get to spend time cooking, playing games, and going on adventures together several times a week. The kids even call us Uncle Shawn and Uncle Josh.

Every year, more than one hundred members of Shawn's extended family gather for our family Christmas party, a tradition that includes visits from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, played by the same two people since before Shawn was born. We also spend Thanksgiving at Josh's parents' house, where we have created many cherished memories.

Our family members are overjoyed about our adoption plan. Josh's parents are even planning to move locally to help with the kids, and our chosen family can't wait to welcome a new little one. The love and unwavering support of our family and friends make our journey to parenthood truly special.

As we sit down to write this letter, we are deeply aware of the courage and love it takes to consider adoption for your child. We can only imagine the weight of the decision you're facing, and we want to start by expressing our immense respect and gratitude for the opportunity to share a bit about ourselves with you.

We're Josh and Shawn, and our story together began over 14 years ago. From the moment we met, we knew we were on a shared journey that would lead to building a life and a family together. We've been married for over five years now, and in that time, we've grown even closer, supporting each other through life's challenges and joys. Our relationship is built on a foundation of love, trust, and a shared vision for the future?"one where we become the best parents we can be.

Our home is in a warm, welcoming neighborhood in Colorado, where community truly means something. Our house is filled with love, laughter, and the promise of new adventures. We've created a space where our future child will not only grow, but thrive?"surrounded by a supportive network of family, friends, and neighbors who can't wait to welcome them.

A big part of our family is Maisey, our 5-year-old dog who has a knack for bringing joy to everyone she meets. Maisey is more than just a pet; she's our companion in every sense, full of playful energy and affection. She's particularly gentle with kids, and we know she'll be a loving and protective presence for our future child. Whether it's playing fetch in the backyard, exploring the outdoors, or just curling up for a story, Maisey will be right there, making memories with us.

We believe that being parents means more than just providing for a child?"it's about creating an environment where they feel safe, loved, and free to be themselves. We're committed to raising our child with a deep understanding of their cultural heritage, ensuring they feel connected to their roots and proud of who they are. Our home will be a place where diversity is celebrated, and where love is the common thread that ties us all together.

We understand the importance of keeping you connected with your child's life, and we're committed to maintaining a relationship that respects your wishes and the best interests of the child. We plan to send regular emails with photos and updates, so you can see how your child is growing and thriving. We also hope to have at least one in-person meeting within the first five years, with everything guided by what's best for your child and what you feel comfortable with.

Parenthood is something we've dreamed about for a long time. We're excited to experience all the little moments that make up a child's life?"the bedtime stories, the school events, the sports games, and the everyday joys of simply being together as a family. We're ready to support our child's dreams, help them discover their passions, and provide a loving, nurturing environment where they can grow into the person they're meant to be.

We've built a strong, supportive network of family and friends, all of whom are thrilled about the idea of us becoming parents. Josh's parents are even planning to move locally to be closer and to help out as grandparents. Our chosen family of friends, many of whom are educators and therapists, are also eager to be a part of our child's life, offering love and support at every turn.

We know this decision comes from a place of deep love, and we want to honor that by giving your child a life full of opportunities, joy, and a sense of belonging. We promise to create a home where they feel valued, supported, and cherished every day.

Thank you for considering us as potential parents for your child. We hope that through this letter, you can see the kind of life we're eager to build?"a life filled with love, laughter, and the endless possibilities of a bright future.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Josh & Shawn