A first generation Mexican American, Antonio embraces his culture and enjoys cooking traditional Mexican meals that remind him of his late mother's cooking. Joel's Filipino and Mexican background contributes towards his love of music, enjoying listening to all genres which could be heard playing throughout the house on weekend mornings. Annually, we travel to Mexico to visit family in Mexico's central States of Guanajuato and Queretaro. There, we enjoy submerging into the culture, the arts, food, and making memories with our large extended family. Bi-lingual in English and Spanish, we plan to teach our child to speak Spanish and will also encourage and support them in learning other languages.

Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, has become one of our favorite celebrations. The Mexican cultural holiday provides us an opportunity to celebrate our loved ones who've passed, where we fill our home with traditional colorful decorations, photographs of those who we remember, marigolds, and an alter.

Sacramento holds numerous festivals to commemorate it's diverse community, one of our favorite aside from Dia de Los Muertos is the Mexican Independence day at the State Capitol grounds. There, you can enjoy a variety of activities, indigenous Aztec and folk dance performances, artisanal handmade goods, and food trucks we're one can savor authentic Mexican cuisines.

We're a family who loves spending time together, finding joy in both everyday moments and new adventures. We have active lifestyles and enjoy the outdoors (and so does Zooley, our fur baby)- whether its hiking in the Sierras or along the California coast, tent camping, going to the lake, or simply spending time together in the backyard gardening. On the weekends we love to get up early, grab a cup of coffee, and walk around our local farmers market where you can find an array of produce and goods from nearby farms, and wander through the various booths.

We've owned our first home for five years and enjoy working on small projects, especially on our backyard where Antonio loves to spend most of his down time. Gathering with family and friends regularly is important to us and our home is constantly filled with the sound of music, laughter and a bustling kitchen. To give back, we enjoy volunteering at a local woman's shelter and at our church regularly on Sundays.

In our pursuit of constant growth, we're both students in our endeavors to obtain additional degrees to advance our careers. During the school season, we find pleasure having dinner together, and working on our studies side by side until the night comes to an end. Although our days are busy, we end the day grateful and look forward to be blessed with a child to occupy our time, life, and our heart.

We were both raised in loving, lively households filled with laughter, family traditions, and the influence of parents and grandparents who have shaped who we are today.

From a young age, Antonio took on many responsibilities to help his family, which shaped his character and work ethic. His mother, a strong influence in his life, taught him compassion, respect, and perseverance. After her passing, those values guided him in keeping his family united, supporting household finances, and honoring her memory by carrying on family traditions. He is incredibly responsible and caring, always putting the needs of others before his own, which makes him not only a wonderful husband but will make him an incredible father.

Joel became a big brother at the age of eleven. He naturally stepped into a supportive role to his mother while also learning from his grandparents, who instilled in him strong Mexican values rooted in family, respect, and faith. Joel is known for his vibrant energy, enthusiasm, and compassion- qualities that have earned him many lifelong friendships. His determination has brought him success in his education, career, and leadership roles within our church.

Together, we have built a strong foundation. We deeply respect each other and embrace vulnerability and courage. We motivate one another to stay physically and emotionally healthy and to grow in our faith- qualities we both love, admire, and respect in each other.

We live Sacramento, California, one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. according to the recent Census. Our home is located in a new neighborhood where many young families reside. Here you'll find children of all ages enjoying the large city park near the entrance which includes a large jungle gym, basketball hoops, volleyball nets, a large field, and picnic tables under a large gazebo. In the coolness of the evenings, families can be seen enjoying a walk on the two mile stretch of trail that surrounds the neighborhood. Our community is vibrant, hosting many family events in our central park throughout the year. The community's 4th of July celebration includes bounce houses, water games to provide entertainment for the children and potlucks keep everyone fed. Santa Claus and the Easter bunny are certain to make an appearance in their respective holidays allowing for children and families to enjoy activities and a great photo-op to make memories for years to come. We are beyond excited that a couple of our neighbors who we are close with are on the same stage of life as us and are beginning families of their own.

Our one-story home has four bedrooms, one of which Joel utilizes as an office where he works from throughout the week. We love our open concept living/kitchen/dining area but feel fortunate to have a decent size back yard where we enjoy lounging, entertaining, and vegetable gardening.

We're blessed to be surrounded by a large, loving extended family who celebrate one another's accomplishments and provide comfort during life's challenges. From the beginning of our relationship, Antonio's family embraced Joel wholeheartedly.

Faith is central to our family. Each morning begins with group text messages of greetings, scripture, and blessings, a tradition started by Antonio's late father. Although our nieces and nephews are now teens and young adults, we continue to be mentors- and their favorite "guncles."

Even though our families live in different cities, we are intentional about scheduling quality time together. Our annual camping trip in honor of Antonio's father is filled with campfires, board games, and laughter, while Christmas traditions include making homemade tamales side by side. Joel's extended family also reunites each summer in Sugar Pine, a small community in the woods near Yosemite, where we sing karaoke, play instruments, and share home cooked meals.

Both of our families are overjoyed to support our adoption journey, united in love, prayer, and excitement for us to welcome a child into our lives.

We'd like to begin by thanking you for your courage and strength. We cannot imagine the emotions and weight of the decision you are facing, and honor you for the love and selflessness it reflects. Regardless of what you decide, we pray that you find peace, clarity, and comfort in this journey.

Our story began when a friendship blossomed into something far greater. We met through Antonio's sister and spent several years as friends before becoming a couple- a journey that built a strong foundation of respect, adventure, and love. As a same-sex couple, we aren't oblivious to challenges and judgement we face by religion and society, but we know that our relationship with God is strong and real. In the 15 years we've been together and our 9 years of marriage, our faith in Jesus has guided us through joys, challenges, and this adoption journey.

As couple, we prioritize communication, respect, and balance. We're both ambitious, goal-oriented in our careers and pursuit of continued education, yet believe in the importance of rest and connection. We love to laugh, explore, and have fun, but also hold ourselves accountable to stay grounded in our values and focused our goals. Giving back is another pillar of our lives. Whether through our finances or acts of service, we believe in investing in others and in our community.

Some of our favorite traditions are those spent with extended family, like at our annual camping trip in the Sierras. It's a time to disconnect from the busyness of life, play games, swim in the lake, and gather around the campfire, s'mores included! Hosting holidays is also a special time, where we blend celebration, making meals, and activities - a game of flag football or participating in the local holiday run. These traditions keep us connected, grounded, and are excited to share them with our child.

As we dream about becoming parents, our hearts are filled with hope and commitment. We promise to provide a home where a child will feel and be safe, supported, and deeply loved. Our desire is to raise a child who is curious, resilient, compassionate, and grounded by values that will guide them through life. We will encourage them to pursue their passions, embrace who they are, and know that they were created with purpose. Most importantly, we will make sure they always know their story, and share with them the incredible love and courage that led you to consider offering them as a gift through adoption.

If you choose us, we are committed to keeping you connected throughout this journey by regularly sending letters and pictures so that you can see them grow, thrive, and experience life's milestones. We want them to always know how deeply you love them and the sacrifice you made out of that love.

We do not take lightly the responsibility and honor of parenthood. Should you choose us, please know that your child will be cherished beyond measure, not only by us but also by a large extended family who is ready to love and embrace them fully. They'll grow up among other children, friends, and neighbors, diverse in culture and backgrounds. We will respect and honor their individual ethnicity by intentionally seeking cultural experiences, introduce traditions they will cherish, and a community that will surround them with joy, guidance, and unwavering support.

It is with deep gratitude that we write this letter and hope this glimpse into our lives will give you confidence in our ability to care, nurture, and love your child unconditionally.

Antonio & Joel