We have always pictured ourselves as parents, and in the many years we've been together, growing our family has been a dream. Nothing would bring us more joy than to share our lives with a child and to introduce them to the many wonderful people, places, and experiences the world has to offer—and most importantly, to show them what it is to love and to be loved.

We know being a parent is a tremendous responsibility, and one we can't wait to embrace. Above all, we want our child to be happy and healthy. We know that unconditional love, support, stability, and acceptance are some of the most important things a parent can give a child. We intend to live by these qualities whether in good or challenging times. We also want to equip our child with tools to navigate the world successfully. To us, that means helping them discover who they are and providing an education that expands their horizons. We want to set up our child to lead a life that fulfills them and is full of love, family, friendship, and purpose.

We are blessed to have many nieces and nephews, who range in age from 5 to 21. We've been a part of their lives from infancy on, and it's warmed our hearts to witness them grow into their own unique individuals, to find their place in the world, and to pursue their dreams. We couldn't be more excited to help this child do the same.

We were drawn to our home in the Pacific Northwest 14 years ago because it is a thriving city surrounded by majestic natural beauty. The cultural and career opportunities the city offers are complemented by endless outdoor activities in the mountains, lakes, and parks. You'll find us paddle boarding, hiking, and bicycling in the summer or skiing in the winter.

Travel is one of our favorite activities so we often take long weekends to explore the region and visit foreign countries, too. One of our most memorable trips was to Thailand, where we spent several months teaching kindergarteners. Sharing in their daily lives reinforced just how much joy we get out of being with children. We've learned so much from traveling, and we can't wait to embark on many more adventures with our child.

When we aren't exploring, we balance relaxation with fun: spending time at home, catching up with friends and family, and hosting dinners. Nick is an excellent cook and finds great joy in sharing meals with people we love. He also volunteers with a local nonprofit that provides services for underserved populations. Like Chris, he makes time to bike, run, or lift weights regularly. We are each other's best friends so we enjoy spending time together just the two of us: going out for dinners, watching Netflix, and taking walks. Chris is always reading—a passion that comes from the many nights his dad read to him growing up.

We're especially excited to carry on that tradition with our little one!

Some of our favorite memories—holidays, celebrations, and reunions—take place at Nick's family cabin on Lake Michigan. Nick's parents designed the house in the 1990s and his grandpa, dad, and brother helped build it. Growing up, Nick and his immediate family spent part of each summer there. The cabin is a place where extended family gather to mark special occasions and to reconnect several times a year.

What makes the cabin special are the traditions we've created over the years as a family: eating sticky cinnamon buns from the town bakery for breakfast, building sandcastles on the beach, riding bikes and running at the nearby state park, cooking big meals together, and having bonfires (with lots of s'mores) on the beach at night.

We've created special memories with Chris's family there as well. We celebrated his parent's 45th wedding anniversary over a gloriously sunny week one July. His brothers and their families came in from Minnesota and Australia and we filled our days paddle boarding, swimming, relaxing, and cooking beer brats on the grill—a Midwest tradition.

We're so excited to bring this child to the cabin where life is a little slower and simpler and our families get to gather and catch up without the distractions of everyday life (thanks to very limited cell phone service!). It's a special place where our families have created lasting memories that we all carry with us.

There are many things we love about our house and neighborhood, but our favorite is the location. It feels like its own community even though we're just two miles from the downtown of a large city in Washington state. We live in a diverse area that is incredibly inclusive and friendly. Our neighborhood sits along a lake surrounded by majestic mountains and trees and is made up of single- and multi-family homes and is often full of activity—people walking dogs, children riding bikes, friends meeting for coffee.

Our home is located on a park with tennis courts, picnic areas, and a playground. Rain or shine there are always families playing, and we are eager to join them! There is a preschool and elementary and middle schools a block away, and the students often use the playground for activities too. A bike trail connects our neighborhood to downtown as well as other parts of the city. Along the lakeshore, there are restaurants, parks and playgrounds, two swimming beaches with lifeguards, and a pedestrian path where families take their bikes, scooters, and roller skates for outings.

Our house is a contemporary-style home that we've made cozy and inviting. Our favorite areas are the kitchen (we love to cook) as well as our rooftop deck with beautiful views all around. With three stories and four bedrooms, it is a home we can grow into and has plenty of room for playing and welcoming family and friends.

Family is one of the biggest parts of our lives, and being uncles is one of our favorite things. We each have two siblings with families of their own and combined, we have seven nieces and nephews.

Nick's sister and family live 10 minutes away. We value having them so close and get together often for meals, outings around the city, and to play games with our niece and nephew. The rest of our families live in other parts of the country and world. Though we are far apart, we are a huge part of each other's lives. We make it a point to gather every few months, and we love hosting them in our home. Our time together is often spent enjoying meals, laughing and reminiscing about favorite family stories, and observing holidays and milestones (Chris's mom travels to celebrate her birthday with us every year—a beloved tradition). When we're not together physically, we email, text, and FaceTime constantly. Physical distance hasn't kept us from staying close.

Our families are open-minded, open-hearted people whose support is unwavering. They are overjoyed to welcome a child into the family via adoption and will provide them with unconditional love.

Thank you for taking time to get to know us. We hope you've gotten a glimpse of the life we've built together, the love we have for each other, and our wish to grow our family.

We can't begin to imagine what thoughts and emotions you have as you consider adoption, but we hold you in the highest regard for wanting what you feel is best for your child. As a gay couple, adoption is how we are able to grow our family so we are ever-grateful to you for exploring this important and difficult decision. You are in our hearts, and we hope you are surrounded by love and support wherever this journey takes you.

We met at the University of Wisconsin where we became fast friends. That close friendship laid a strong foundation for our 16-year relationship and marriage. We pride ourselves on being loving spouses who treat each other with kindness, tenderness, and respect. We are each other's greatest cheerleaders. Nick is a thoughtful, curious person with an infectious sense of humor. Ever the optimist, he always looks for the good in people and situations. Chris is warm, kind, and gentle and quickly connects with others. He is a trusted confidante to family and friends and always gives them the time to share and to be heard. We have a terrific bond, but we are very much our own individuals and encourage each other's unique qualities to shine.

As fathers, we want our child to feel the same warmth and connectedness we have as a couple. We'll be unending sources of love, affection, and support. We'll encourage this child to become their best, authentic self and to share those qualities with the world. We feel fortunate our work makes a positive impact and that our jobs give us a sense of fulfillment. We look forward to helping our child discover their passions, and we will be by their side in whatever endeavors they pursue. We will provide a child with a stable, supportive, enriching home and with a life that affords them many opportunities for personal and professional growth.

We believe raising our child in a community and surrounded by loved ones plays an equally important role in their development. Fortunately, our families are a big part of our lives and will be there to provide a child with the same love, support, and guidance they've always given us. Though much of our family lives in other parts of the country, we visit each other often and are in constant communication. Nick's sister and family with two small children are just 10 minutes away, and we have numerous cousins nearby—some with kids and some who are hoping to grow their families soon. We're so looking forward to seeing the next generation of little ones grow up together.

Please know that if you select us to parent your child, he or she will be not only fully embraced and loved but absolutely adored by our extended families. Adoption is viewed as a beautiful thing that has touched our families. Nick's brother and his wife adopted a child 17 years ago. The connection she's developed with her birth mother and her Pacific Islander roots has been heartwarming and inspiring. We can't imagine adopting a child and not celebrating their adoption story and their birth parents who made it all possible.

Our child's adoption will be embraced and talked about openly, honestly, and often. We hope to include you in special moments and occasions in whatever ways you're most comfortable—from letters and photos to video calls and gathering together. Above all, we want our child to feel connected to his or her birth family, and for them to know that they came into our lives because of an incredibly beautiful, selfless act of great love. Thank you.

Chris & Nick