There is no better feeling in the world than finding someone who loves you for exactly who you are, accepts you without question, and likes the same fast food places! Skip and Jai may seem like they couldn’t be more different, but it’s true what they say: opposites attract. Skip is bold and outgoing, while Jai is quiet and plotting. Jai is solid as a rock and an excellent listener. Skip is a skilled public speaker who is always looking for ways to help people out.

Together, we are the best of both worlds, and we’re crazy for each other. We get along so well because we’re both playful and love a little mischief. We never stop laughing together, and we can’t wait to have someone to share this happy home. Jai has this concentrated look he gets when he hunkers down to solve a complicated problem, refusing to give up, then piecing together some crazy contraption in the end to get the job done. He’s incredibly clever and is going to be the kind of dad who raises a little mad scientist inventor. Skip is a really old soul filled with curiosity, and he never gets tired of learning. He is a kind and patient mentor who has a special way of making everyone around him feel valued and important. He brings out the best in people with open arms, which makes him a great husband and will make him an even better father.

We feel incredibly grateful for all the gifts in our lives, from our loving parents and supportive siblings to our educational opportunities and happy work lives. We feel so lucky we got to build this beautiful life together, overflowing with love, comfort, and a sense of quiet peace. And now we have this overwhelming desire to bring kids into our family. It feels exactly like the next right thing for us. No matter how much the house smells like Jai’s baking or how loud Skip is singing when he thinks he’s home alone, we’re both drawn toward becoming parents to magnify our happiness and give deeper meaning to our lives. We sometimes even nap in the kids’ room, like we’re keeping the bed warm while we wait. We’ve already started stocking kids’ books, toys, and a whole collection of sloth stuffed animals just waiting for a playmate. Our life together is fun and fabulous and fulfilling. Even more importantly, it feels stable, and we’re surrounded by a whole village of family and friends who support and love us. Our home is always full of music, art, and dancing. We can hardly wait to take this next step on our journey as dads as we find our way to the tiny human who will finally share all of this with us. Someone to nurture, teach, love, and help grow up to be a perfect, amazing person who celebrates themselves and makes the world a better place to be.

We keep really busy, and we have a lot of fun. Whether we are dressing up and going out to watch a show or dressing down and helping out a friend with a house project, we like to make an event of things and have a good time. We like to stay active and we love to be social. But mostly, we just want to be together, spending quality time on a house project, checking out a new sushi place, putting in some volunteer time at a local theatre event. We have found a great balance between a full calendar and nights at home together with a pizza and a movie.

We like to travel a little, too, just to keep our view of the world interesting, and usually plan our trips around thrill seeking activities or city adventures. Think shopping, roller coasters, escape rooms, and of course skiing whenever we can. We also both agree there is no happier place than the zoo! Family and friends are incredibly important to us, and we make a point to focus on making memories and meaningful connections as we spend time with the people we love. We know our family and friends are almost as excited as we are to see us bring kids into our rich, interesting, and adventurous lifestyle, so we have someone truly special to share our passions and experiences.

Our extended families play a vital role in our lives. Even though they mostly live far from us, our bonds keep us close. Jai comes from a big family with strong Filipino roots. They love big group outings, and whether it’s shopping, travel, or going out dancing, they are always a happy, joyous bunch. Skip’s family is a quieter crew that likes camping, sports, and the outdoors. Last New Year’s Eve, we brought them all together in our home, where we played party games, gave out Christmas stockings, and ate way too much Polish and Filipino food. It was a beautiful night of family fun that created many new memories for us.

The youngest of the kids in the family are now 2 and 4, so everyone on both sides is very excited about a new baby in our big family tree. Then Jai’s sister announced she and her husband are having a baby, too! They only live ten minutes from us, so now our kids will have nearby cousins to play and grow with. Our moms are already hashing out plans for “grandparent vacations,” and the brothers are in a battle over who will be the best uncle. We feel so lucky and couldn’t ask for a bigger, better, or more supportive family for raising kids.

We live in a quiet suburb in sunny Nevada in a planned community with many friendly neighbors who all look out for each other. Our cul-de-sac gets very little traffic, and we see all the neighborhood kids outside playing all the time. Our 3-story home was just built in 2019 and is about 3,200 square feet. The master suite, office, and 2 other bedrooms are on the third floor, and there is an extra downstairs master suite and living room, which makes things super easy for family when they visit. Skip has a workshop in the garage, while Jai rules the house’s outdoor spaces. The main floor is an open-concept area with a living room and dining room in the front and a big family room in the back that flows into the kitchen with a walk-in pantry. This is where we spend most of our time as a family, cooking, watching movies, listening to music, and hanging out together. Lots of natural light keeps our plants really happy, and the kitchen balcony overlooks our very green backyard with a great view of the distant mountains.

Our neighborhood has a strong community vibe, with parks, playgrounds, schools, and a nearby police station. There are lots of restaurants, shopping areas, and many family-friendly activities to keep us busy. We are just a short drive from the beautiful mountains, which offer hiking trails, a ski resort, lakes, swimming, and other fun outdoor activities. Day trips to the ocean, theme parks, the Grand Canyon, and other national treasures are all within reach. We take immense pride in our home, our community, our city’s rich history, and the life that we have built here, making it the perfect place to raise children and grow our family.

Each and every person must take their own unique journey through life, and the challenges we face along the way shape who we are. For each of us, growing up gay in our own conservative cultures shaped the people we are today. But for all the challenges, it taught us to stand tall, embrace our identities, and look inward for strength. Everyone has their own battles to fight, but we believe it’s just a chance to rise from the ashes, and maybe you can relate to that. We want you to know that no matter what you’re facing right now, we see you and we think you’re strong. Your journey matters, and your story is vital.

We share this part of our story with you because we want you to know that we are strong, caring, and loving people who are approaching this decision to become parents with the utmost care and greatest excitement. We have taken things slowly in the decision to become parents, and we’ve had the chance to first build a really strong foundation in our marriage. As our journeys brought us together, our growing love for each other has taught us the strength and security we each needed to be ready for this incredibly important change in our lives. The time is right, and we want to open our hearts to share all we’ve built together with this amazing child whose own journey has started with you. To choose us is to choose two amazing dads who want this more than anything and have spent their whole lives preparing for this moment.

Our story began in 2013 when we met on the street with a simple hello, and it sparked a magical connection. That spark grew into a wedding in 2017, in a small chapel with our closest friends and family. Then there was a huge party! And every day since has felt like another celebration. Building on love and trust, the support of our families, and a shared vision for our future, our marriage just keeps getting stronger, happier, funnier, and more adventurous. And now, for the next chapter…

We know that our kids will be coming into a huge and welcoming family where they will be cherished for their uniqueness and become part of a loving, multicultural crew rich with kindness, empathy, and connection. On the lighter side, we also value fashion, good dance moves, and a flair for karaoke. We are committed to sharing this experience with you through photos and letters, so you can witness the joys, milestones, and everyday moments that make up your baby’s journey with us. We know that every situation is unique, so we’re open to discovering what feels right for all of us as we navigate this together.

As we start our parenthood journey, we want to tell you again how deeply moved we are by the decision you are making. Choosing an adoptive family must feel like one of the most important and emotional choices to ever have to make. We have spent our lives preparing for this moment and feel incredibly honored to be considered for the most important job in the world: giving your child the happiest life possible with these two dads who will love them to the moon and back. We promise to always honor your very brave decision and the profound love that brought them into this world and into our arms.

Thank you for considering us to be the parents who will do the best job ever raising your baby with love, compassion, and security. We see how big this decision is, and we want you to know that our hearts are open, our home is ready, and our love is unconditional. We are excited to embark on this journey together and create a beautiful family story that honors all our experiences. Thank you for letting us share our dream with you.

Skip & Jairus