Our love story began in the midst of the COVID pandemic, a time of uncertainty and change. We connected on a dating app while both navigating life in Chicago. Casey, who typically took his time before meeting someone in person, felt an unexpected spark with Devontae and decided to break his usual, shy routine. We shared a memorable dinner during a rare period when restaurants were briefly allowed to be open. The connection was instant and undeniable.

As restrictions tightened again and dining out was no longer an option, we adapted by meeting at each other's apartments. This time of closeness and creativity in finding ways to connect helped our relationship flourish rapidly. From cooking together to enjoying cozy nights in, our bond grew stronger each day.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our commitment to each other became clear, and our journey together began in a truly special way.

To us, being a parent means prioritizing our child’s needs above all else, even when it involves making tough decisions. It’s about offering unconditional love and striving to provide everything necessary for the child to flourish—emotionally, physically, and mentally. We are dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where our child feels valued, supported, and empowered.

What we are most excited about is the opportunity to pour our love into a child’s life and actively participate in their growth and development. We look forward to guiding them, celebrating their achievements, and supporting them through challenges. The joy of watching a child develop into a happy, confident, and successful individual is something we eagerly anticipate. We are excited to share our values, create lasting memories, and build a loving family together.

As we embark on this journey, our commitment to being present, engaged, and loving parents will be at the heart of everything we do. We are enthusiastic about the prospect of nurturing a child and excited to embrace all the moments—big and small—that come with parenthood.

Our pets are an integral and cherished part of our lives. When Devontae and Casey met, Devontae already had Pumpkin, our beloved Irish Doodle. Casey quickly became one of Pumpkin’s favorite people, and the bond they formed is truly special. In 2023, Devontae and Casey adopted Orie, who has been a delightful addition to our family. Pumpkin has embraced her role as a big sister with love and care, making our home even more joyful.We make a point of including our dogs in all aspects of our lives. Whether we’re playing in the yard, going for walks, or simply relaxing at home, our pups are always by our side, and we cherish every moment spent together. Their playful energy and affectionate nature bring immense happiness to our home.

As we prepare to welcome a baby into our family, we are excited to see our dogs adapt to this new chapter. We’re confident that Pumpkin and Orie will embrace their new sibling with the same love and warmth they’ve shown us. Our commitment to creating a nurturing, inclusive environment for our child extends to our furry family members, who will undoubtedly become an important part of our baby’s life.

We moved to Tennessee with the goal of being closer to our extended families, knowing that our journey to start a family would benefit from their involvement. Now, we cherish the time spent with our parents, grandparents, and cousins, enjoying lively conversations, playing cards, and engaging in board games.

A cherished tradition is cooking and baking with our grandmothers. This shared passion has strengthened our bond and allowed us to create delicious treats while swapping family stories that bring joy and laughter. Our get-togethers are a blend of culinary creativity and heartfelt connections, making every moment special.

We love hosting Thanksgiving, welcoming our parents and grandparents for a week of festive celebrations. During the Christmas season, we travel to be with them and celebrate with our extended family, embracing the warmth and togetherness that define our holiday traditions.

These gatherings reinforce our commitment to a family-centered life, and we eagerly look forward to sharing these experiences with a new addition to our family.

We recently moved into a home that we designed with our growing family in mind, ensuring we have extra bedrooms to welcome a child through adoption and to host our loved ones when they visit. Devontae is especially fond of our spacious kitchen, a space where he indulges his passion for cooking and baking.

Our fenced-in backyard is a favorite feature, providing a safe and fun space for our dogs and future children to run and play. We’re also excited about starting a garden, which will be a wonderful activity for the whole family to enjoy together.

Our neighborhood offers a welcoming, suburban environment with a rich mix of cultures. It’s a friendly community where families regularly walk their dogs and engage with each other. We’re conveniently close to playgrounds and parks, where kids and parents frequently gather for play and socializing. We believe this setting will provide a nurturing and supportive environment for our child, and we look forward to creating lasting memories in our new home.

Ever since we can remember, we have dreamed of becoming dads, and adoption makes that possible for us. We cannot thank you enough for considering us as potential adoptive parents for your child. We wanted to share a little about what you can expect from us and some general information about our lives. We understand that this is a significant and emotional decision for you, and we are deeply humbled by your consideration. We want you to know that we are committed to creating an environment where your child will feel loved, supported, and cherished. Our hearts are full of love, and we are eager to share it with a child.

We are open to discussions about what the best communication plan for both you and us looks like. We always want to keep the child's best interest at the forefront and be considerate of your thoughts and feelings regarding communication. We understand that you may want minimal contact or frequent updates, and that your needs may change over time. We want to work with you to ensure everyone involved feels comfortable with the communication plan. We are happy to share photos and have periodic text, video, or phone conversations throughout the child's life, to whatever extent you wish. We are open to having in-depth discussions to determine what this looks like for all of us. As the child grows up, we want to be open and honest about their adoption while always honoring and respecting you, their birth parents. We believe in the importance of transparency and will ensure that they understand the love and sacrifice that went into the decision to place them for adoption. We will share with them what an incredible gift you gave us by allowing us to adopt them, emphasizing that your decision came from a place of profound love and selflessness. We will tell them about your strength and courage, and how grateful we are for the trust you placed in us to raise and care for them.

We promise to provide our adopted child with an incredible amount of love and attention. We will create a safe, comfortable environment where they can thrive and become whoever they are meant to be. We will be attentive to their needs, especially when discussing their adoption, and will always speak of you with honor and respect. We will ensure the child has access to a good education, opportunities to participate in activities and sports, love and support from extended family, neighborhood friends, and encouragement to develop their natural talents and pursue their interests. We are committed to being there for them in every way possible, providing guidance, support, and a nurturing environment.

Our relationship as a couple involves spending time at home, enjoying moments with our dogs, engaging in family activities, and having fun adventures. We love spending time at home with our two dogs, who enjoy playing in our backyard and cuddling with us while we watch movies or TV. We also like to explore the city, visit dog parks, and find new places for brunch. Family time is important to us, whether it's vacationing together, cooking, baking, playing cards, or board games. We always share lots of laughs and create joyful memories together. We are both fortunate to have supportive and loving families who are excited to welcome a new member. Our parents, siblings, and extended family are all eager to provide love and support to our future child. We believe in the importance of family traditions and creating new ones that our child can look forward to and cherish. Whether it's holiday gatherings, birthday celebrations, or weekend get-togethers, our family is committed to providing a network of love and support.

Thank you for considering us as potential parents for your child. We hope this letter gives you a sense of who we are and the loving home we can provide. We are deeply grateful for your consideration and hope to have the opportunity to meet and get to know you better.

Warmest regards,

Casey & Devontae