The thing we most love about our relationship is how much we both love to experience new adventures together! We share a passion for learning and exploring, and traveling is our absolute favorite thing to do. We're always looking for new, fun experiences to share. In the 18 years we've spent together, we have taken some epic trips! We've danced in the streets at French Quarter Fest in New Orleans. We've hiked the White Mountains, Sawtooth Mountains, and Zion National Park. We rented a convertible and drove around southern Germany for 10 days, we hiked the Black Forest, and enjoyed German beer and food! We flew to London to see a concert, then traveled to Paris, where we climbed the Eiffel tower, then relaxed in the south of France for a few days, swam in the sea, and Leah got stung by a jellyfish! We spent a week in Barcelona, enjoyed tapas and sangria, learned how to cook authentic Paella, rented scooters, sat on the beach, and explored unique architecture! But our favorite place to travel to is Italy! Heather speaks Italian and lived in Florence for a semester during college where she studied Art and Architecture. We've traveled all over Italy, including Sicily where much of Heather's family still lives! Our favorite spot is Cinque Terre, where we love to hike the trails overlooking the ocean, and swim in the Ligurian sea. We hope to continue to travel with our child and show them the wonders of the world!

The most important thing in our life is our family. We love spending time together, supporting each other, creating memories, celebrating joyous times, and comforting each other during difficult times. Our parents and siblings all live within an hour and we see them almost every weekend. Our niece Zoe is the light of our life, and our nephew Enzo was just born in August! We spend as much time with Zoe as we can, we love exploring, learning, and having adventures together! Fostering close relationships in our family is very important to us; our child will grow up with a supportive extended family and cousins close by.

Another priority of ours is maintaining our health and wellness. We both love to cook and prepare the majority of our meals at home. We also love nature and spending time outside: hiking, riding bikes, kayaking, swimming, and walking around our neighborhood, especially with our dog Jack. We value nourishing our bodies with healthy food, managing stress with movement, and finding peace and comfort in nature.

We both also love making music, as well as watching live music!

Our careers are also important to us, Leah is a Certified Safety Professional and Heather owns a Kitchen Design and Remodeling company. We are each passionately dedicated to our professions, and hope to teach our child to pursue what they are most passionate about in life! Right now we both work full time, but when we have children Leah plans to be a stay-at-home mom.

Family has always been about love and presence, not just biology. Leah's parents couldn't have children naturally, but were able to become parents with the help of a sperm donor. Despite her father not being biologically related to her, she was very close with him, and they shared a special bond. Leah learned that family is something built intentionally, with care and devotion. Some of her fondest memories are with her dad; cheering her on at little league games, taking her to karate lessons, and their hiking adventures. Leah's dad taught her to explore natural wonders, appreciate the beauty and peace of nature, and cherish their moments together.

On Heather's side, her cousin Tania adopted a son, Joey, who was welcomed as a family member from the very beginning! Joey's place in our family has always been natural and unquestioned, defined by belonging rather than biology. Joey shows his love in small but powerful ways; arriving at gatherings with a huge smile, caring tenderly for his mother and grandparents, and often driving them to and from family events. And no gathering feels complete without his mother's unbelievable chocolate chip cookies, which have become a tradition of their own. Watching Joey's devotion is incredibly heartfelt and reminds us that family is built on love, devotion, and compassion.

These experiences inspire us as we dream of building our own family: to create lifelong bonds, share adventures and memories, and give that same unconditional love we were so fortunate to receive.

Our home is on the East Shore of New Haven, Connecticut; a place that feels both peaceful and full of life. We are just a short walk from Seawall Park and East Shore Park, where we love taking evening walks, watching the sunset, and enjoying the fresh ocean air. Only two miles away is Lighthouse Point Beach, where we swim, play at the splash pad, and ride the carousel. What we cherish most about this neighborhood is the sense of community. Neighbors are friendly, always waving hello or stopping to chat, and there's a true feeling of people looking out for one another. At the same time, we are minutes from downtown New Haven, with its amazing restaurants, live music, and cultural events. Giving us the perfect balance of calm and excitement.

Inside our house, we have created a space that feels warm, cozy, and full of love. Our favorite spot is the sunroom, where mornings begin with coffee and cuddles with our dog, Jack. We enjoy inviting friends and family over for movie nights, laughing over dinner, and celebrating holidays together. In the warmer months, our backyard becomes the heart of our home, perfect for summer cookouts and time outdoors. With so many parks nearby, we have plenty of space for walks and fresh air.

We have worked hard to make our home safe, joyful, and welcoming. It is filled with love, laughter, and we know it would be a wonderful place for a child to grow and thrive.

We are very fortunate to have many family members that live nearby. Heather's parents and brothers all live within an hour drive, and most of her aunts, uncles and cousins live within a two hour drive. Heather's family is of Italian heritage and frequently gets together to celebrate birthdays, holidays, or sometimes just for fun! Our family is a huge part of our life and we love spending time together! There are several outstanding cooks in our family, so most gatherings are centered around food; our favorite is The Feast of The Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve! When we get together, we play games like Pictionary and Rumikub, organize Easter Egg hunts for the kids, and usually end up laughing uncontrollably! The children are usually the center of attention, there are now 5 great-grandkids ranging from newborn to 4 years old; we hope our child will enjoy playing with their cousins as much as we do! Our family also loves doing activities, like going to the Zoo, going apple picking, going to the beach, going for a family bike ride, or having a movie night. We also occasionally take vacations together! We've traveled to Vermont for a cozy winter weekend, taken a trip to Disney to celebrate my niece's birthday, and even traveled to Italy together with the extended family! Our family has a passion for life and enjoying every minute to the fullest, and we can't wait to share that with this child.

Our names are Leah and Heather, and we are so grateful you are taking the time to get to know us. First and foremost, thank you for considering us as adoptive parents. We know that the decision you are facing is one of the most difficult and meaningful choices a person can make, and we want you to know that we do not take your courage lightly. We cannot begin to imagine all of the emotions you may be experiencing right now, but we deeply admire the strength, love, and selflessness it takes to even consider adoption. Please know that, in our hearts, we already see you as an incredibly brave and loving mother who is doing everything possible to give her child the best future. We want you to feel supported and cared for, no matter what path you choose, and we are honored to share a little about who we are with you.

We have been together for 18 years and married for almost 12. Our relationship is built on trust, laughter, and unconditional love. Through life's challenges and joys, we have always been each other's biggest supporters. We feel incredibly lucky to share such a strong bond, and our greatest dream is to expand that love by becoming parents. We know in our hearts that together we can provide a child with stability, encouragement, and a home filled with warmth, laughter, and opportunity.

About Leah: Leah has a gentle, calming presence that makes everyone around her feel loved and cared for. She is dependable, thoughtful, and always ready to lend a hand. Leah finds joy in being outdoors, walking our dog Jack, hiking at Lake Wintergreen, and exploring new places. She also loves cooking and trying new recipes, especially Italian dishes inspired by our travels. She looks forward to sharing her nurturing nature and curiosity with a child.

About Heather: Heather is energetic, creative, and has an incredible sense of humor. She is the kind of person who lights up a room, connects with people deeply, and is a natural story teller! Heather is the planner of the family, and usually orchestrates family gatherings, adventures, and vacations. She has a passion for creating, traveling, and learning. She feels happiest when enjoying nature, live music, or exploring new places.

Together, we value family traditions and the joy of making memories. A child in our home will grow up enjoying simple pleasures like summer cookouts in our backyard, cozy movie nights, and holiday celebrations with family and friends. Our extended family and close circle of friends are also overjoyed at the thought of welcoming a child. Cousins can't wait for playdates and exploring together, Grandma is ready for game nights and endless hugs, Grandpa is excited to teach them how to splash and play in his pool, and our closest friends are already eager to step into the roles of loving "aunties" and "uncles." From the start, this child will be surrounded by a community of people ready to nurture, support, and celebrate them every step of the way.

We believe wholeheartedly in the importance of openness in adoption. If you choose us, we are committed to honoring your place in your child's life and story. We would love to share letters and pictures, and we welcome ongoing contact in the way that feels best for you. Most importantly, your child will always know their story began with your love, courage, and selflessness.

Whatever path you choose, we hope you feel supported, cared for, and at peace. Please know you are in our thoughts, and we wish you strength, comfort, and love as you make the decision that is right for you and your child.

With love and respect,

Heather & Leah