Parenthood is one of the greatest joys in our lives. For us, being parents means offering unconditional love, stability, and guidance while giving a child space to discover who they are. We believe in showing up every day — with patience, humor, encouragement, and open hearts.

One of the things we love most is the small everyday moments: reading bedtime stories, Saturday morning pancakes, cheering from the sidelines, drawing pictures at the kitchen table, or hearing about the little things that shaped their day. Parenting has allowed us to see the world through our son’s eyes — full of curiosity, wonder, and endless possibility.

We look forward to expanding our family and giving another child a home where they will feel safe, supported, and deeply loved. We believe that children thrive when they know they matter, and we are committed to being parents who listen, guide gently, and celebrate who they become.

Adoption has touched our lives in a deeply meaningful way. Ryan’s niece was adopted at birth, and watching her grow up surrounded by love, encouragement, and a strong sense of belonging has shaped how we think about adoption. We’ve seen firsthand how a child can thrive when two families come together with love and respect. It has strengthened our belief that family is built through commitment, presence, and unconditional care — not just biology.

Seeing the joy that adoption brought to our extended family has made us feel more open, grounded, and grateful as we begin our own journey. It helped us understand both the beauty and the responsibility involved, and we recognize the incredible trust that comes with adoption. Adoption has shown us how powerful it is when people come together to support a child’s life, and it has made us even more committed to providing a home filled with stability, warmth, and love.

Because we are already a multicultural family — Ryan is white and Seneca is Black — conversations about identity, culture, and belonging are a natural and important part of our home. We know firsthand that honoring different backgrounds doesn’t happen in one moment; it happens through daily choices, representation, open conversations, and a genuine willingness to learn from one another.

If we adopt a child whose race or cultural background differs from ours, we will approach their identity with the same intentionality and respect we bring to our own. We believe a child should grow up surrounded by people who look like them, mentors they can relate to, and communities where they feel seen and understood. We will actively seek out diverse schools, friendships, activities, books, music, and traditions that reflect their heritage.

Because our marriage already blends two cultures, we understand the importance of celebrating differences while also creating a shared family identity where everyone belongs. We will talk openly about race, support them through questions or challenges, and make sure they always know their story is something to be proud of.

Most of all, we will ensure that their culture isn’t just acknowledged — it is woven into their life in a meaningful, joyful, and consistent way.

We both come from families who are loving, welcoming, and deeply excited to embrace this child. Ryan is the youngest of three boys, and his older brothers have always been an important part of his life. When the family gets together, there is usually a mix of laughter, teasing, and someone trying to convince everyone to play one more round of cards or a backyard game.

Seneca’s family brings a warm, joyful energy to every gathering. Her dad is from New Orleans, and visiting family there has become one of our favorite traditions — the food, music, and stories always make those trips special. We also spend time in Toronto during the summers with Ryan’s parents and brothers. These visits often turn into big family meals, long conversations on the porch, and outings that the kids lead the way on.

Another meaningful part of our family story is Ireland. We were married in Belfast, where Ryan’s mum is from, and we continue to visit relatives there. Those trips have become a way of staying connected to family history, and we look forward to sharing that with this child someday.

From the moment we shared our adoption plan, every member of our family offered nothing but excitement, encouragement, and love. This child will be welcomed not only into our home, but into a wide, supportive circle of people ready to celebrate their life.

We live in a warm, family-centered community in California that has been a wonderful place to build our life together. Our neighborhood is filled with tree-lined streets, parks, and families who spend time outside walking dogs, riding bikes, or gathering at the playground.

Our home has plenty of space for a growing family, with multiple bedrooms, a large kitchen where we love to cook together, and a bright living room that naturally becomes the heart of the house. One of our favorite areas is the backyard, where we enjoy summer barbecues, playing with Ronan, and imagining future outdoor adventures with another child.

We are surrounded by parks, hiking trails, and family-friendly recreation areas, including playgrounds, soccer fields, and community pools. It’s easy to envision a child running through the grass, learning to swim, or joining local sports and activities. The schools and community programs here are supportive, diverse, and welcoming.

Every year our town hosts seasonal events like outdoor concerts, fall festivals, and holiday parades, all of which create a wonderful sense of belonging. We feel grateful to call this place home and are excited to share it with a child.

Thank you for taking a moment to learn about us. Writing this letter fills us with gratitude and humility because we know that whatever brings you here involves incredible strength, courage, and love. Before anything else, we want you to know that we respect you deeply and not just for the decision you are considering, but for the care you have for your child. We see you, and we honor your journey.

We are Ryan and Seneca, and we have been married for 10 years. From the beginning, our relationship has been rooted in honesty, laughter, and a true sense of partnership. We met through a close friend, and being together felt natural, grounding, and safe. Over the years, we have grown through joy, challenges, and all of the small, meaningful moments that make a marriage strong.

Our path to parenthood has shaped us profoundly. After five rounds of IVF, we were blessed with our beautiful son, Ronan. The journey taught us patience, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the privilege of being parents. Ronan is kind, curious, funny, and full of energy and watching him grow has revealed just how much more love we have to share. We feel grateful and excited to expand our family through adoption.

Family plays a central role in our lives. Ryan is the youngest of three brothers and grew up in Toronto, where summers meant cousins everywhere, big family meals, and storytelling that lasted late into the night. Seneca is the middle of three sisters, and her bond with her sisters is incredibly strong. They talk often, support each other deeply, and are truly best friends. Her family roots stretch from Bakersfield to New Orleans; visiting there fills our lives with warmth, music, celebration, and connection. We also have meaningful ties to Belfast, where Ryan’s mother is from and where we were married. This child will be surrounded by an entire extended family ready to embrace them with love.

Our home is bright and welcoming, the kind of place where music plays in the background, children run in and out of the backyard, and we gather around the kitchen island on Saturday mornings for pancakes. We value creating a home filled with stability, joy, and belonging.

Adoption already holds a special place in our lives. Ryan’s niece was adopted at birth, and watching her grow up confident, joyful, and deeply connected to her story has shaped our understanding of the beauty of adoption. We know that family is built through love, presence, and commitment, not just biology. We also know the importance of honoring a child’s identity, heritage, and birth family.

If you choose us, we promise your child will always know where they came from. We will speak about you with respect and gratitude, helping them understand that their story began with immense love. We will send letters and pictures, as required, and we are open to additional contact - emails, calls, or future visits - if that is something you would like now or someday later. Whatever level of connection feels right to you, we will honor it.

As parents, our values center around kindness, curiosity, empathy, and resilience. We want to raise a child who feels safe expressing themselves, knows they are deeply loved, and has the confidence to explore their interests and strengths. We will give them a strong education, surround them with diversity and representation, and encourage them to dream boldly. Above all, we will show up for them every single day with patience, joy, stability, and unconditional love.

Thank you for reading this and considering us. We wish you clarity, support, and peace as you navigate this decision. Your strength is extraordinary, and we are honored that our paths have crossed.

With love and respect,

Ryan & Seneca