We met about 15 years ago through mutual friends at our local rock climbing gym. We had both been introduced to the sport about a year prior and connected immediately over this shared interest. The friends we've made and the adventures we've shared from being part of the outdoor community have become a big part of our lifestyle. We typically spend several evenings a week at the gym, either climbing together or with friends. Afterward, we like to unwind at home, watching our favorite TV shows and relaxing with our dogs.

A few weekends each year we travel to locations within a weekend driving distance with great outdoor activities. Once a year, we take a 2-week long trip to somewhere in the world with camping, rock climbing, trail running, and beautiful scenery being the main factors in our decision of where to go. Our travels have introduced us to places, people, and cultures that have shaped a lot of our outlook on life and how we wish to be as parents. We want to be wholeheartedly involved in a child's life and not just cheering on the sidelines (although we'll do that too). We have seen our friends introduce their children to the community of local active outdoor families, and we wish the same for our family.

Rian About Mike: Mike is patient, selfless, dedicated, and fiercely loyal to his family and friends. He is one of those people who kids and animals are instantly drawn to. When I see him interact with children, I immediately get a glimpse into what our lives as parents will look like one day. Mike has a calm energy, and I can talk to him about anything without judgment. He has an incredible sense of humor and an ability to incorporate fun into simple daily tasks. I joke to my family and friends that I live with a cartoon. One morning I woke up and he had placed googly eyes on all the food in the fridge. He is an amazing husband and I know without a doubt that he will be an outstanding parent.

Mike About Rian: As we go through our adoption journey, I'm constantly reminded of the wonderful qualities in Rian that will make her an amazing mom. She's incredibly caring, always putting family and friends at the heart of everything she does. Her dedication is unwavering, and she approaches every task, whether at work or at home, with a remarkable blend of determination and heart. Rian's also my favorite person to explore life's adventures with. She brings joy and enthusiasm to every experience, and I'm excited to see her share this love of life with our future child. In her, I see not only a loving wife but also a nurturing and inspiring parent.

Mike is mixed race (Asian and Caucasian) and Rian is Caucasian. While we were both raised in primarily White areas, our life experiences have led us to place a high value on cultural diversity. We live in a city that celebrates diversity and was designed to emphasize accessibility to community resources. Mike's career in the US Air Force Band has given him the unique opportunity to connect with people across the country from all walks of life. This wide range of experiences has not only broadened his perspective but also influenced his views on community engagement and social responsibility. As a member of his squadron's Culture Working Group, he helps find ways for the band to reach underrepresented groups and communities. Rian is a professor at a majority-minority university in Baltimore County. She has had the opportunity to mentor students from a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and has been part of several programs designed to promote science education for underrepresented populations. These programs and the students she worked with have helped to educate her on the richness that diversity brings to education and life. We both recognize the importance of raising a child to embrace diversity and supporting the cultural heritage that an adopted child came from.

We live in Maryland between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore in a 4-bedroom single family home. The family room and kitchen in our home are connected and we love that because it allows us to hang out with friends while cooking dinner. That's by far the most used room in the house! We also have a large backyard with a 6-ft privacy fence where our two dogs like to run around and play.

Our city is regularly voted as one of the top places to live in the country based on the walkable community design, closeness to major cities, accessibility to parks and recreation, and diversity. There are paved paths for jogging, walking, and biking, several community pools, and parks about every half mile. Each summer there are free concerts, outdoor movie nights by the lake, a free splash park downtown, and a number of family-friendly events. We live on a cul-de-sac that has other families with young children. We also have friends in the neighborhood and at our local rock climbing gym with children who would grow up with this child. Our neighborhood and community make it really easy to envision a classic childhood for any child we would be fortunate to have in our lives.

We are very close to our extended family and they're excited to help us welcome a new child to the family. Rian comes from a large family and is one of five girls. Her family is fun-loving and family parties are always filled with laughter and joy. We also have 9 nieces and nephews and we're fortunate to be an active part of their lives, watching them grow, learn, and celebrating their milestones with them. Being only a few hours away, we often spend holidays and long weekends visiting them in New Jersey and can usually be found hanging out at the beach where Rian grew up.

Mike's mom, younger brother, and niece and nephew live in Ohio. We get to visit them a couple times a year and cherish those moments we get to see them. We love spending time with the kids and taking them on adventures like exploring local parks and going to the rock climbing gym, or simply having a relaxing movie night with the grandparents.

Our family ties extend beyond these visits. We regularly keep in touch through video calls and sharing photos, ensuring that we're a part of each other's daily lives despite the distance. This constant connection helps us stay updated on the little things, from new hobbies to school achievements, making our in-person gatherings even more meaningful.

We want to thank you for looking at our profile. We understand that you have an extremely difficult decision ahead of you. We are grateful to be considered as you are determining the best path for your future and the future of your child. There is probably nothing that can be said to reassure you fully at this point. Even so, we want you to know that we are committed to providing the best life that we can for any child we are fortunate enough to raise.

We started talking about having a family a few years ago. After some time, we were told that we would have difficulty having a biological child. Adoption has always been something we have considered and so we decided to pursue this over fertility treatments. We have so much love, adventure, and silliness to share and adoption feels like a natural choice for us.

We have been married for over 12 years. Our relationship has been built on shared values of family, adventure, empathy, and support for one another's ambitions. When we met, we immediately connected over our love of outdoor sports and traveling. Over the years, we've continued to share these interests, but we also find adventure in the day-to-day activities that have come with marriage and building a life together. We've established an amazing network of friends, have experienced the support of one another's families, raised 3 dogs together, and have created a beautiful life together that we can't wait to share. We envision life with a child spent expanding these experiences and growing our memories as a family. We have dreams of introducing a child to the sport of rock climbing (how we met), spending days at the local gym climbing as a family, and camping together at our favorite outdoor locations. We imagine summer weekends spent with family at the beach where Rian grew up, teaching a child how to swim in the ocean and celebrating when they are brave enough to jump off the diving board at the pool. When we imagine our future family, we think about big things like holidays with extended family but also find joy in envisioning regular weekdays eating dinner together and hearing about how school was, or learning about what sports or hobbies a child will introduce us to. We will do everything in our power to provide opportunity, fun, and adventure to a child who becomes part of our family.

We want you to know that you will always be a part of your child's story and a steady figure in your child's life. If given the opportunity to parent, we will make sure that this child grows up knowing their background through open communication, updates, letters, and pictures. We are drawn to adoption as a way of expanding our family and that includes you. We understand the decision you have ahead of you is emotional and incredibly difficult. We only hope that we can put some of your fears to rest by assuring these things to you.

Sincerely,

Mike & Rian