Our uniqueness–and a large reason we’ve been together for nearly two decades–stems from sharing three core values: curiosity, creativity, and passion. Our curiosity drives us to explore and learn new things; for example, we’re always traveling to new destinations and seeking out new experiences. We recently traveled to Puerto Rico to hike in El Yunque National Forest because we had never been to a rainforest before. Eric, who can’t swim, also slid down a waterfall (shout out to life vests and Mike for being on standby to save him). By nurturing your child’s curiosity, they will cultivate a sense of wonder, resilience, and adaptability, empowering them to embrace life's adventures.

Through our creativity we see a world without limits. This has always driven us to be very ambitious individuals and to dream big. Eric is an internationally published writer, whose fans include former president Obama. Mike previously worked for one of Congress’s most powerful committees. We believe instilling this value will empower your child to harness their unique talents and pursue their aspirations with unwavering determination and boundless imagination. As passionate individuals we derive a deep pleasure and satisfaction from pouring ourselves into the things and people we love. You can trust that your child will get no less than 100% from us. They will discover the power of giving their all to what they enjoy and gain a deep sense of purpose that will guide them as they navigate life's journey.

As an interracial couple, we understand the importance of knowing one’s own cultural heritage and those of others and how that contributes to one’s identity and lived experience. While we are both Americans, Mike is predominantly of English descent and Eric is of Vietnamese descent. Over the years, we have come to learn and embrace our own cultural heritage and identities as well as each other’s through food, music, television, customs, traditions, communities, and more. For example, we celebrate Lunar New Year and watch quite a bit of British television. Our experience has taught us that appreciating cultural diversity requires initiative, honest conversations, and a genuine curiosity. In recognizing the beauty of diversity, we understand that even among those of similar cultural backgrounds, individuals possess unique identities. We acknowledge that appreciating one’s identity is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor and requires tailored and intentional effort. With this understanding, we wholeheartedly commit to embracing and preserving your child's cultural identity. We will actively engage in learning about and incorporating your traditions, language, and customs into our family life, fostering an environment where your culture is cherished and celebrated as an integral part of who they are.

Adoption has had a profound impact on our lives, shaping our perspectives on family, connection, and transparency. Mike was adopted, though it wasn't until very late in his life that this was discovered. Since the adoption was closed, it left a lot of unanswered questions. This experience has instilled in us a deep commitment to openness and honesty, values that we will carry into our journey as adoptive parents. From day one, they will know their unique story.

We also have friends who are adopted, which has given us a broader understanding of the diverse experiences within the adoption community. These relationships have reinforced our belief in the importance of sharing stories and creating a safe space for your child to explore their own adoption journey.

Ultimately, we want your child to grow up knowing they are deeply loved, not just by us, but also by a larger community that includes you, adoptive friends, and a supportive extended family.

Like ourselves, our extended and chosen families are a beautiful marriage of different cultures, races, and backgrounds. Our family is a celebration of diversity, which will provide your child with rich opportunities to appreciate and learn from different perspectives and ways of life. Being a collective of people from different places, we all share a love of exploring, trying new things, and traveling.

Most of our friends and family live within a few hours of us across Maryland. Mike has three younger siblings, Eric is the middle sibling in his family, and together we have eight nieces and nephews. We are always looking for excuses to see each other and there’s never a lack of laughter and jokes. We often see each other for birthdays, movies, road trips, life milestones…you name it. Additionally, our nieces and nephews often stay with us during the summer. We also love to host parties and tend to put a lot of effort into making them very special–setting themes, cooking large menus, arranging decor and flowers, and picking the perfect music and games to set the mood. Our biggest family holidays are New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Our family and friends could not be more excited to welcome a child into our lives. Your child would also be joining a family where adoption is not a novel thing, as Mike was adopted.

We recently built our modern four story townhouse in a quiet neighborhood right outside the nation’s capital. Our house, which has four bedrooms and four and a half baths, was designed in anticipation of growing our family and to be very bright and airy.

Much like our state–which has been dubbed “America in Miniature” given that nearly every kind of terrain can be found here from beaches to marshes to farmland and mountains–our area boasts a diverse community and an abundance of things to see and do. We are just a short trip from the Smithsonian National Zoo, U.S. Botanic Garden, Calvert Cliffs, countless museums, mountains, beaches, hiking trails, and historical sites.

Our neighborhood is centered around a clubhouse which serves as a community gathering place, and has a large gym, outdoor pool, kitchen area, and playground. The community is part of an ongoing multi-year development plan where we expect a new library and elementary school, among other things, to break ground soon and be within a short five-minute walk.

Local festivities each year include Lunar New Year celebrations, Pride, and Memorial Day parades, and like any place in the national region, July 4th is a huge holiday. Other area activities include frequent farmers markets, movies in the park, and cultural festivals.

The decision you are considering is very similar to the one that began Mike’s story. Because of that, adoption has shaped who he is, and our lives together. It takes considerable courage, strength, and love to make a decision like this. And while we can only imagine how incredibly difficult it must be, it speaks volumes about your character. Such selflessness is truly admirable.

We've been together for over seventeen years (nearly half our lives), seven of which we’ve been married. When we first met, we were putting ourselves through college - Mike drove an inner-city bus and Eric worked in a bookstore. Despite our humble beginnings, we had big dreams. We were also coming into our own identities and navigating a world that is not always accepting of others who have different lived experiences. As life has a tendency to do, things were pretty hard in the beginning, but through a lot of hard work, shared values, and trust, we were able to build what we think is a pretty exciting life together. Mike can say that he worked for a number of years at one of the most powerful committees in Congress, been bowling at the White House twice, and is in the process of realizing a life-long dream, in part, of becoming a philanthropist. Eric, on the other hand, continues to grow an impressive personal library, has become an internationally published author, and can boast former President Obama as one of his fans. Our experiences have shown us that even when the path is challenging, a little determination and a lot of love can lead to amazing places. We would offer your child the same sense of support and encouragement, giving them the confidence to explore, learn, and thrive.

Our life has also been filled with lots of laughter and adventures, all of which we can’t wait to share with your child. There will be no shortage of dad jokes (which Mike has spent years perfecting) or fun family trips. We also can’t wait to share our passions, such as Eric’s love of reading and watching movies, as well as Mike’s love of video gaming and exploring the outdoors. And similarly, we’re just as excited to help your child discover and explore their passions.

We look forward to being their biggest cheerleaders in life and helping them grow into the best version of themself. But we realize that to do that fully also means to embrace their background, their heritage, and to make sure that they never forget that this journey was made possible by you.

Above all else, we look forward to sharing a lifetime together, and always challenging ourselves to be the absolute best parents anyone could ever hope for. We have spent years preparing for this. From building our careers to be able to provide well, to constructing a new home with a child in mind, to educating ourselves and reflecting on our own experiences and upbringing - we have never been more ready and more confident in our ability to be dads.

Speaking of experiences, we know firsthand that when adoptions are closed, navigating or answering even basic questions can be very challenging at best. To that end, our hope is to create an environment where the child can build a relationship with you, to the extent that everyone feels comfortable. We will regularly send letters and pictures and would be open to emails, phone calls, and visits.

While we hope there’s something we’ve said that resonates with you, whatever you choose, know that you have our deepest respect and gratitude. We wish you peace in the decision you feel is best for your child.

Love,

Eric & Mike