Like many modern couples, we first crossed paths on a dating app in 2014. Rachel had only been in Virginia for about a year, and when she mentioned she didn’t have plans for July 4th, Victor suggested that as the perfect day for a first date. We met at a local restaurant—and immediately laughed when we realized we were unintentionally matching in pink and white stripes, our own version of subtle patriotism.

Lunch went well, and Rachel invited Victor to join her for the rest of her plans that day. When he politely declined, she was convinced he wasn’t interested. But after talking nonstop for the next two days, we found ourselves on a second date just 48 hours later. This time, Victor took Rachel to a nearby park for a picnic, and we ended up talking for hours. We were so quiet and content that frogs began hopping out of the pond beside us, which delighted us both and became one of those tiny memories we still smile about.

From that day on, we were pretty much inseparable. Four years later, we returned to that same park to take our engagement photos, making it an even more meaningful place in our story. Every July 4th, we celebrate our first date with a lunch out before spending the rest of the day with family—a tradition that reminds us how it all began.

One of the things that makes our family truly unique is how we came from such different cultures and places, yet built a life that blends both beautifully. Victor spent his childhood in Peru, raised mostly by extended family after his parents moved to the United States. When he eventually joined them in Virginia, he had to learn English and repeat high school—even though he had already graduated in Peru. His determination carried him through working full‑time while attending college full‑time, earning his bachelor’s degree, and later transitioning into the career he had always hoped for.

Rachel, on the other hand, grew up on Long Island in a suburb of New York City with her parents and brother. She went away to college and eventually moved to Virginia to begin her career in education.

When we met, our worlds blended in ways that felt natural and meaningful. We’ve woven together our families, religions, cultures, languages, and traditions—everything from placing a Jewish star on top of our Christmas tree, to collecting ornaments from our travels, to celebrating Passover with Rachel’s extended family. Each tradition has taught us something new about one another and enriched our lives in ways we never expected.

In our free time, we love sharing experiences—sometimes just the two of us, sometimes with friends and family, and sometimes diving into our own individual hobbies. Sports are one of our favorite things to enjoy together. Every year, we go to a New York Giants game at MetLife Stadium with Rachel’s dad and family friends, and we’ve also cheered the Giants on when they’ve come to play the Commanders at home. Living near DC means we’ve had the chance to enjoy games for baseball, basketball, hockey, and, of course, Victor’s favorite—soccer. Even at home, sports are a big part of our weekends, especially in the fall when you’ll often find us watching football and cheering on our fantasy teams. We also make space for our individual interests. Rachel loves baking, crafting (especially building craft sets), doing puzzles, watching TV or movies, and reading—often with friends joining in. Victor enjoys playing video games, listening to music and podcasts, and spending time with his family and friends. When we can take time off, especially in the summer or during Rachel’s school breaks, we love to travel. Some of our favorite trips have been a mix of sightseeing, exploring local food, and soaking in the culture of a new place—balanced with plenty of relaxing by the pool and finding quiet moments to enjoy the scenery. These shared adventures always leave us feeling recharged and connected.

Although we grew up in very different environments, family has always been at the center of both of our lives. Victor is the fourth of five siblings, and most of his family lives close by in Virginia. We see them often for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions, and we especially treasure time with our niece and cheering on her newest milestones.

Rachel’s family may live farther away, but we stay closely connected. We talk on the phone often, and we see her parents every couple of months—either when we travel to New York or when they come to visit us in Virginia. Our time together is a mix of exploring live theatre, shopping, sightseeing, or simply relaxing at home with movies and board games. Most recently, her parents joined us for our annual Super Bowl party, where both sides of the family enjoyed the halftime show, the box pool, and the game itself.

Both of our families are incredibly excited about our adoption journey and have supported us every step of the way. They can’t wait to welcome a new little one—whether it’s a new cousin for our niece or the first grandchild on Rachel’s side. We look forward to sharing our family traditions, cheering for the New York Giants, and creating new memories together.

We live in a cozy four‑plex townhome in Northern Virginia, about 20 miles from Washington, DC. Our home has two stories, with an open kitchen, dining room, and living room downstairs where we spend most of our time cooking, talking, and relaxing together. Upstairs are three bedrooms, including one we are ready to turn into a room for our future child. Within walking distance is a small playground and a lake with peaceful walking trails as well as play areas well suited to families.

Our town was recently named the best place to live in Virginia and one of the top 100 places to live in the country, and we truly feel that every day. We love its diversity, the wonderful school system, and how easy it is to get to so many great places. We enjoy taking advantage of the variety of places nearby, like the nightlife in Washington DC or National Harbor or the quieter pace of a drive along Skyline Drive or event at a local park.

As a couple, we enjoy simple routines—taking our dogs on walks around the neighborhood, trying new restaurants, checking out local events, and looking forward to the annual fall festival our community hosts each year. It’s a place where we’ve built a life that feels grounded, joyful, and full of possibility, and we’re excited to share it with a child.

We want to start by thanking you for taking the time to read our profile and learn more about our story. While we can’t begin to imagine the decision you’re facing, we want to honor the courage it takes to consider every path. A journey to parenthood is rarely simple, ours certainly hasn’t been, but we feel deeply ready to welcome a child and grow our family in all the ways we’ve dreamed about. Adding a child to our family would, of course, be a big transition, but it’s the small moments we find ourselves imagining most often: hanging a new stocking on the fireplace during the holidays, building a library of bedtime stories for snuggly evenings, taking walks around the neighborhood with two dogs and a stroller in tow. These moments may seem small compared to the big milestones, but after working so hard to reach this point in our family building journey, we intend to savor them all.

We also look forward to including you in those moments, big and small, through letters, photos, and ongoing communication by email or phone. We want your child to grow up with a strong sense of identity, so we plan to incorporate elements of their culture and heritage into our own family traditions. Blending families, cultures, languages, and experiences has been a cornerstone of our relationship, and we feel uniquely prepared and excited to continue that with a new family member.

Victor’s upbringing in Peru and Rachel’s childhood in New York led both of us to Northern Virginia, where we met and began dating in 2014. After moving in together in 2017, we welcomed our two dogs, Charlie and Bailey, into our home. They are a huge source of joy and a daily reminder of how much love and care we share. Navigating their senior years has strengthened us as a couple and taught us even more about patience, teamwork, and showing up for those we love. Even still, Charlie loves a good game of fetch, Bailey is forever seeking out the coziest blanket in the house, and we love our time with them.

As a couple, we love spending time together, with friends and family, and pursuing our own interests. Whether we’re at a sports game, enjoying a family cookout, adventuring with our niece, catching a show in DC, or having a date night at National Harbor, we believe in having fun in all its forms, together and individually. Victor might spend an afternoon playing video games, while Rachel is more likely to curl up with a book, dive into a craft project, or watch a favorite show. Since marrying in 2019, we’ve also traveled both in the U.S. and abroad. Travel and exploration are important parts of our lives, and we look forward to sharing those experiences with a child as our family grows.

While our hobbies and experiences shape how we spend our time, it’s our values and personalities that shape our desire to become parents. Rachel’s 13 years working with children, mostly ages 2-11, have made her patient, empathetic, and deeply attuned to kids’ needs. As a librarian, she balances organization with creativity, and she knows how to make children feel seen, supported, and understood. Victor brings his own strengths: he is dedicated, hardworking and steady. His love for our niece already shows the kind of father he will be, and the respect he shows the older children of our friends reflects how naturally he connects with kids at every stage. Together, we balance each other, find joy and humor in everyday life, and believe that welcoming a child will bring out the best in both of us. Both of our families are ready and excited to embrace a new little one with open arms, open hearts, and more love than we can put into words. They will undoubtedly be a mainstay in our child’s life and are eager to be grandparents, uncles, and aunts.

We hope that our home and our families can become part of your child’s story. Thank you for your strength, your thoughtfulness, and for giving us the chance to share who we are as we look toward the future with hope.

Victor & Rachel