We’re steady, dependable, and good at creating a home that feels both calm and fun. Dave is practical and patient, and he’s the kind of person who comes through—whether it was building a step to help our dog Lucy when she needed it, or writing code to support Dianna’s research.

Dianna is warm, observant, and a good listener; she pays attention to what people need and is a natural problem-solver when something feels hard or uncertain. She also brings creativity and tradition-building, turning ordinary days into something memorable, from holiday decorating to backyard movie nights.

Together, we communicate well, follow through, and adapt when plans change. And we make room for joy—like turning a birthday into an at-home karaoke night—because connection matters to us.

Our dogs are family. Dianna has loved animals her whole life—she grew up with dogs, and being around them has always felt natural and comforting to her. Over time, that love became something Dave came to share too. Now it’s part of who we are as a couple: our home feels more complete with dogs in it and caring for them is part of our daily rhythm.

Cora and Ruby bring a lot of warmth and joy to our house. We have many kids in our extended family and in the neighborhood, and our dogs truly love being around them. Whenever a niece or nephew sits down, Cora and Ruby are quick to snuggle up as close as they can—happy to be included in the moment. Dianna’s nephew likes to joke that Cora was his “first kiss” because she licked him on the lips while on the couch with him.

Our dogs are a gentle, happy presence in the middle of everyday life, and they’re one more way our home feels welcoming and full of love.

Our lifestyle is steady and home-centered, with a mix of routines and fun. We like cooking and trying new recipes, grilling when the weather is nice, and spending time outside with the dogs in the backyard and on the patio. We also love making our home feel festive—Dianna really leans into seasons and holidays, from Halloween to Valentine’s Day. During the pandemic, we found creative ways to keep life joyful, like setting up backyard movie nights and making a big deal out of simple traditions. Fall is especially meaningful to us—not only because we love pumpkin carving and cozy decorations but also because we met in the fall, so it’s become a season we naturally celebrate. We also enjoy simple getaways, like renting a cabin in West Virginia and taking the dogs on hikes.

We’re close with family and enjoy traveling together (including trips to Disney World and Europe with Dave’s family), and we like bigger adventures too—zip lining and hiking in the mountains. We also enjoy hearing live music, whether at a concert or a local band playing in a park. We’re excited to share both sides of our life with a child: the comfort of home routines and the joy of exploring new places together.

Family is a big part of our lives, and we are fortunate that many of our relatives live close by. Dave’s sister’s family and Dianna’s sister’s family are nearby, as are Dave’s mom and Dianna’s parents, so we get together often for birthdays and holidays. Our gatherings are lively, usually involving plenty of food, games, kids, and dogs—almost everyone has at least one dog, and they are always part of the fun.

We often host Thanksgiving and a large Hanukkah party each year. Last Thanksgiving was especially memorable when Dave fried a turkey for the first time. He did a lot of research, and we all worked together to make sure it was safe for the kids and the dogs. Our Hanukkah celebrations are full of latkes, jelly donuts, and lots of laughter. Dave’s sister usually hosts Christmas, where we stay overnight and spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together. Birthdays are celebrated with cake, singing, presents, and games, including “old-timey” favorites like potato sack races.

Our families are diverse and deeply supportive. Dianna’s family is Jewish, Dave’s family grew up United Methodist, and Dianna’s brother-in-law is Persian. What unites everyone is how we show up for one another—in joyful moments and during difficult times. Our families are incredibly excited to welcome a child, and we know this child would grow up surrounded by love, connection, and celebration.

We live in Virginia and own a three-level, colonial-style single-family home in a friendly, family-filled neighborhood. Our house has four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, with several main-level spaces that make it easy to gather, play, and relax together. One of our favorite rooms is the living room, with large comfortable couches and a view of our front yard garden and street. In the fall and winter, many neighbors decorate for Halloween and Christmas, so we often enjoy festive lights and decorations right from our windows. Our basement is another favorite space—during the pandemic we turned it into a gym and play-friendly area with a large rug and TV. We can picture it becoming a cozy spot for movie nights and sleepovers.

Outside, we have a large, fenced backyard and a patio that’s perfect for meals, playtime, and fresh air. There are also big trees that would be wonderful for climbing and a swing. Just a block away is a local park with a small farm where we go often for dog walks. The park has farm animals and hosts special events throughout the year, including activities like helping “put the animals to bed,” plus Halloween and Christmas celebrations. Our neighborhood also has walking paths with steppingstones and bridges over creeks, a great sledding hill, and a community pool where many kids swim together on the neighborhood swim team. Our neighbors are warm and supportive, and there are many children nearby with friend potential.

Thank you for taking the time to read our letter and learn about us. Our names are Dave and Dianna. We recognize that considering adoption comes with a lot of thought and care, and we truly appreciate the time and attention it takes to look through profiles and imagine possible futures. We don’t take that lightly, and we hope whatever decision is made comes with support, respect, and peace. Our path toward becoming parents took time. The truth is, we didn’t always know we wanted to be parents. That clarity came later in life as we built a strong partnership and a life we love. Once we knew, we wanted to approach it thoughtfully - creating a stable home and routines we’re proud of. We want to raise a child, and we’re ready to devote our love, time, and energy to helping a child grow and thrive.

Dave was very close with his father, who has since passed away. He was Dave’s hero and a steady example of the kind of man and parent Dave hopes to be. Dave carries him with him and hopes to pass along the values he grew up with - showing up, working hard, and treating people with kindness. Family is at the center of our lives, and we’re lucky that many relatives live nearby. We stay close in a way that’s woven into everyday life, not just holidays. There are many children in our extended family, and we’re actively involved - celebrating, helping, and being present. Our nieces and nephews have faced mental health challenges and medical issues, and our family supports them with patience and steadiness. We believe children do best when adults are dependable, compassionate, and willing to listen and act, and that’s the kind of home we want to provide. We also value acceptance, and in our family that shows up in simple, everyday ways. When we’re together, it’s typical to have foods from different backgrounds: Persian rice dishes, Jewish kugel, and Swedish cardamom rolls. We love the feeling that everyone belongs. We would want a child to grow up in a home where differences are welcomed, questions are met with kindness, and everyone feels respected. Our home reflects that same warmth and steadiness. We’re handy, and over the years we’ve done a lot of the work on our house ourselves. One example we still laugh about (but feel proud of) is when we replaced our front shutters. After painting them ourselves (more coats than we want to admit), we set up two ladders and carried each shutter up together, one of us holding each side, moving step by step until it was in place.

When we picture parenting, we picture showing up consistently - through big milestones and ordinary days. We want to raise a child in a way that supports healthy development and helps a child feel secure. Dianna acted in plays in high school and still loves singing recreationally, so she looks forward to lullabies and story time. She has fond memories of her mom making up bedtime songs and telling stories - often with animal characters - that carried on night after night. Dianna hopes to share that same comfort and imagination with a child. We also want to share that we are open to having a relationship with you, if this is something you want. We understand that every adoption plan is different and can evolve over time. We would approach any relationship with respect, clear communication, and compassion - following the level of openness that feels comfortable and healthy for everyone involved, especially this child. Our hope would be for this child to grow up knowing their story began with care and that the adults involved treated one another with respect. We know a letter can’t fully capture a family, but we hope this gives a sense of our life: a strong partnership, a close and supportive extended family, and a home where love shows up in both everyday moments and hard ones. Thank you again for reading about us. If our family feels like the right fit, we would be honored to take this journey with you, and to give a child a life full of love, stability, and support.

With sincere appreciation,

Dave & Dianna