Hi there! We are Ryan & Michael.

Thank you for being open to adoption as a path for your child’s future and thank you also for being curious about us! We hope what you see here will give you a sense of what we’re all about – and we hope to learn more about you!

In this moment, the most important thing that we want you to know is that we admire you for being strong enough to consider all of your options. If you feel that we are the right people to parent your child, we hope to also have the opportunity to share love and support you as we can through this process. 

As for us, we live in DC and we have been together for 12+ years — married for more than five of those years. As fathers – we will love your child unconditionally and we will do everything in our power to make sure that your child lives a fulfilled and happy life. 

Our Story

We met by chance at a reunion of sorts that Michael was throwing on his rooftop patio — and it was love at first sight. Ryan’s attention was captured by Michael’s laughter and larger than life story-telling and Michael’s bit of a southern twang. Michael was immediately struck by the tall, handsome stranger on the roof who was relatively soft-spoken with a depth and confidence he found immediately infectious. 

Since that first meeting, we’ve had quite the adventure! Michael has picked-up Ryan’s tennis obsession. Ryan has matched (and probably exceeded!) Michael’s love of travel. Our adventure got even more exciting (and slightly more sleep deprived!), when we were fortunate enough to grow our family through adoption in 2022 with our son Noah. Since birth, Noah has racked up plenty of trips but we have yet to get him on the tennis courts. 

Noah is too young to know it yet, but we are sure he will be a great older brother. He and his dads have a playful heart and think there is room for at least one more voice in our chaos, and we firmly believe that a larger family will make us all better humans!

Our Home and Loved Ones

We live in the heart of DC in a diverse and family-oriented neighborhood where we walk or take public transportation to just about everything. We live, work, and play near the White House, the National Zoo, the National Mall, and Rock Creek National Park (just three blocks away!). We love to take in those sights plus the many neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and family spots that bring the everyday fun. 

Our extended family is also very important to us. They visit a ton and we also travel to them often in Georgia, Michigan, Florida, and Texas. Our family gatherings are always lively – full of pick-up sports (kickball, tennis, fishing, pickleball, basketball, and four-square), card games (uno, texas hold-’em, euchre, and spades), and whatever other hobby we can think of (disc golf, darts, billiards, and ping pong to name a few). We also love being in or near the water, so lots of family activities are either on the beach, lake, river, or boat!

Michael’s (Cuban + Venezuelan) family brings a Latin flare, while Ryan’s (Michigan / Dutch) family brings the sensibilities of how to get things done (i.e. driving in the snow!). 

Michael's Words about Ryan:

Ryan is incredibly intelligent, thoughtful, and has the biggest heart. His big heart is on full display in his career as a social worker and his volunteer work helping at-risk youth in DC.  He also somehow manages to save plenty of energy so that he can spend it on his day-to-day interactions with family (especially me and Noah!) and friends making sure everyone’s needs are met.

Ryan's Words about Michael:

The first thing that anyone notices about Michael is that he lives life to the fullest.  There is never a dull moment around Michael and he is always thinking about how to make a day more interesting! 

On a deeper level, one of the things that I love most about Michael is that he has a very special ability to make others feel welcome and comfortable. 

Beneath Michael’s fun and playful side, he is deeply thoughtful and he always puts others before himself. His warm and funny personality matches perfectly with how he makes sure that those around him know that they are loved. 

Thank you!

Thank you for taking the time to get to know us. If you feel like we are the right people to raise your child, we will love them unconditionally and hope to give them an incredible life in every way possible. If we are not the right couple to raise your child, we get it. No matter what, we wish you and your child the best future imaginable -- and we appreciate you being so thoughtful in this process.