Our cultural heritage is something we deeply value and are excited to share with our children. Jonathan has Native American roots, and his family is wonderfully diverse, bringing a rich blend of traditions, stories, and customs. We cherish the opportunity to celebrate and learn from his cultural background, and it's an important part of who we are.

Yessenia is Mexican American, and she is fluent in Spanish, which allows us to connect with her family in a meaningful way. Yessenia's family speaks Spanish, and we are proud to pass on this language and cultural richness to our children. Every year, Yessenia's family makes trips to Mexico to visit relatives, where they enjoy reconnecting with their heritage, celebrating traditions, and sharing family history.

Both of our families are diverse, with relatives from a variety of backgrounds, including Salvadoran and African American. We believe that this diversity adds an incredible layer of richness to our family's culture, and we look forward to celebrating all of these heritages with our future children. We're committed to ensuring that they grow up with an appreciation for the beauty and value of diversity, understanding the importance of both their individual backgrounds and the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our family.

Around the holidays, we have a tradition of spending Christmas Eve with Yessenia's family and Christmas Day with Jonathan's family. It's a time we truly cherish, as we get to create memories and share in the love and joy with those who mean the most to us. Every year, right before Christmas, Yessenia's side of the family comes together to make tamales. It's a tradition that's been passed down for years, and there's something special about everyone gathering in the kitchen, working together to create such a delicious meal. Christmas Eve is when we get to enjoy these! At midnight, we begin opening gifts, and the evening is filled with games and laughter to pass the time while we eagerly wait for the moment we can exchange presents.

Christmas Day is an all-day adventure with Jonathan's family. We start with mid-morning brunch, spending time talking, catching up, and enjoying each other's company. When it's time to open presents, we begin by reading the Christmas Story from the Bible and singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Then, we pass gifts around, but we have a special tradition where everyone waits until everyone has their gifts before we begin unwrapping. One of the highlights is that Grandma and Grandpa always open their gifts last. They love watching their children and grandchildren unwrap their presents, and it's such a sweet moment for all of us as we get to see the joy on their faces when they open their gifts, too.

A few years ago, we had the incredible opportunity to visit Hawaii, and it quickly became one of our favorite vacation spots. We spent our days soaking up the sun on the beach, exploring the stunning landscapes, and discovering hidden gems around the island. It was a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure, and we loved every minute of it. Whenever we travel, we always make sure to stay close to a pool or within a short drive to the beach.

Vacations are a time for us to create lasting memories, and we have a few traditions that we always look forward to. We love visiting aquariums to learn more about marine life and appreciate the beauty of the ocean. Another favorite tradition is finding the best local ice cream shop to enjoy a sweet treat together. Whether it's relaxing by the water or exploring new places, we cherish these moments as a family, and we look forward to continuing these traditions as we grow.

Our neighborhood offers a wonderful blend of comfort, community, and convenience. We're fortunate to own our own home and live near beautiful parks that are the heart of our area, where families gather for special events like movie nights under the stars, complete with picnics and laughter. During the holidays, the atmosphere is magical, with festive music filling the air and parades bringing neighbors together in celebration. The area is also known for its highly rated schools, making it an ideal place for children to grow and thrive.

Our community is tight knit, with neighbors who are warm, welcoming, and always ready to lend a hand. We're lucky to have families with children of all ages, creating an environment full of energy and play. The diversity in our neighborhood is something we cherish, as it fosters a rich, inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels at home. It's truly a wonderful place to raise a family.

We are so blessed to have large, loving families on both sides, and getting together with them is something we truly cherish. Jonathan has four siblings, and Yessenia has three siblings, so family gatherings are always full of energy and laughter. We're fortunate to live close to both sides of our family, and we visit as often as we can. All of our siblings are adults with children of their own, and our nieces and nephews are incredibly close.

Family has always been at the center of our lives, and we feel so fortunate to have such a strong support system. Jonathan's family is very close-knit and rooted in faith. His father is the pastor of our church, and his mother is the music director. Education and personal growth are very important in Jonathan's family, and many of our relatives have pursued higher education and are working in professional fields. One of Jonathan's fondest memories growing up is their annual family camping trips, a tradition we continue to this day.

Yessenia's family is just as special. As the oldest sibling, she's always been the go-to person, helping to coordinate family events and offering support where needed. Yessenia's parents speak only Spanish, and family dinners are a highlight of our gatherings, only having homemade Mexican food of course. Yessenia and her siblings love helping their mom in the kitchen, creating cherished memories while preparing a meal for the whole family.

Both of our families share a deep appreciation for the importance of love, support, and connection. They have been incredibly excited and supportive of our decision to adopt, and they are eagerly looking forward to welcoming a new member into the family.

Jonathan works in law enforcement, and Yessenia works in healthcare administration. We both grew up in California and are fortunate to still live in the same neighborhood we called home as children. Our connection goes deep. We've known each other since elementary school, and it's funny how our paths crossed over the years - through the same schools, mutual friends, and even a few college classes. Yessenia made the first move, and after five years of dating, we got engaged and married. We have been married for 11 years now. After settling into our careers, we began dreaming of having a family.

Adoption is a part of both of our families’ stories. Jonathan’s dad and uncles were adopted, and Yessenia was adopted by her dad. The love Yessenia has always felt from her father is something she treasures deeply. He took her in as his own, and she never once felt anything less than his daughter. That experience has shaped her belief in the power of love - that you don’t have to share DNA to have a bond that runs deep. Her dad’s love has shown her that it’s possible to love a child with all your heart, no matter how they came into your life. We want to offer the same kind of love and security to your child.

We always knew we wanted children, but after facing fertility challenges and many rounds of unsuccessful IVF, we were blessed with our beautiful daughter, Makenzie. Though we felt immense joy in having her, we also knew our hearts were open to more children. Unfortunately, we endured multiple failed attempts, but through it all, our bond grew stronger, and we learned to cherish each step of the journey. Though we didn't understand the "why" at the time, we are deeply grateful for the lessons it taught us and the strength it gave us as a family. We trust in God's plan for us, and we know this plan has led us to adoption. We are all in, and we are so excited for what's ahead.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to open our hearts and home to adoption. If you choose us, we promise to embrace your child with a love that is full, constant, and unbreakable. We can't wait to build a future together, creating memories, making them feel safe, valued, and always reminding them that they are deeply loved - by us, and by you.

We want you to know that we understand the immense love and courage it takes to consider adoption, and we have such deep respect for your decision. We recognize that the decision to place your child for adoption is not one made lightly, and we want to reassure you that your child will be surrounded by unconditional love, support, and stability. We promise to nurture them with all our hearts, to provide a home full of laughter, and to be there for them in every way. Makenzie is overjoyed at the idea of becoming a big sister. She talks about it all the time, and we can't wait to see the bond that will grow between them.

We understand that adoption can bring up many questions, and one of the most important ones for birth parents is how open the relationship will be. We want to reassure you that your child will always know their story. We believe in honoring your role in their life and will make sure they grow up with a clear understanding of their background, including information about you and how to reach out when the time is right. We are more than willing to send pictures and letters, or emails, every year to keep you updated on how they are growing, and if you feel comfortable, we are open to visits within the first five years of their life. Our goal is to create a relationship that feels safe and respectful for all involved while providing your child with a loving and stable environment. We want you to feel confident in your decision, knowing that your child will always be surrounded by love, support, and the knowledge of who you are when they are ready to connect.

Jonathan & Yessenia