We met while river rafting on the Rio Grande, surrounded by beautiful desert cliffs, rushing water, and the bright New Mexico sun. Angelina was celebrating her birthday with a group of friends and her sister, excited for an adventure. Michael was one of the river guides that day, and from the moment we started talking, everything felt easy and natural. We discovered we both enjoy running and that simple conversation opened the door to realizing how much we had in common. After the trip, the raft guides were invited over to the house for a barbeque. It felt comfortable from the very beginning—effortless, like we had known each other far longer than a single day.

As we spent more time together, we tried new things and explored the outdoors. One of our favorite early memories is Michael teaching Angelina how to ski, laughing our way down the mountain. Those shared experiences built the foundation of a relationship rooted in adventure, connection, and genuine joy in each other’s company. Since they day we met, we've worked together as a team for small daily activities like cooking and cleaning to big things like raising a family together.

We are a Hispanic family living in New Mexico, a place rich with history and a beautiful blend of Spanish, Indigenous, and Anglo cultures. Michael’s family has lived here for many generations, deeply rooted in the traditions and stories of this region. Angelina’s grandparents are from Mexico, and together we share a strong belief that culture and heritage shape who we are. These values guide how we live, celebrate, and raise our son.

Rio attends a dual‑language international school where he is learning Spanish, will learn Arabic, and is exposed to cultures from around the world. The school incorporates global traditions, languages, and perspectives into everyday learning—one of the reasons we chose it and something we deeply appreciate. As a family, we enjoy foods from many cultures, traveling to other countries, and learning about unique traditions. We believe that understanding where you come from builds confidence, identity, and pride.

Much of Angelina’s volunteer work focuses on supporting youth to celebrate their culture, foster community, and connecting with mentors who share similar backgrounds. If we are fortunate enough to welcome another child from a different culture than our own, we would actively seek out community, representation, and mentors so they would feel included, supported, and proud of who they are.

Leisure time is one of the most meaningful parts of our lives, and we spend most of it outdoors, enjoying nature as a family. Whether we’re hiking along mountain trails, biking, or skiing together on winter days, being active outside brings us closer and fills our lives with joy. We truly value experiences and the time we spend together, and the outdoors has become the backdrop for many of our favorite memories.

One of our favorite ways to explore is traveling in our camper. We love discovering new places, trying new foods, and ending each day gathered around a warm campfire. Those evenings—sharing stories, roasting marshmallows, and watching the stars—are some of the moments we treasure most. They remind us how special it is to slow down, unplug, and simply be together.

Whether we’re on a weekend camping trip, heading out for a long hike, biking as a family, or spending a day on the slopes, what matters most is that we’re doing it side by side. These shared experiences have taught us teamwork, patience, and appreciation for the simple joys in life. Being outdoors keeps us connected, grounded, and grateful for the memories we’re creating as we continue exploring the world together.

We spend a lot of time with our families as we are both close to our parents and siblings. Both sets of parents, our four siblings and their ten kids live in the same city. In fact, Michael's parents and Angelina's sister live in the same neighborhood just a few minutes away. Because we are so close, we see these families weekly with family dinners, pool time, or watching movies together. We enjoy gathering for everyone's birthday, the holidays, and just because we make a little extra food. A couple traditions we do every year is making tamales around Christmas and peeling green chile in the Fall. Everyone participates in these annual traditions, including the children.

There is always something to celebrate and a reason to get together in our families. We also enjoy playing games during holidays and thinking of fun activities for all ages. One Easter we had potato sack races, colored eggs, an egg hunt, and confetti eggs. A few other annual traditions include pumpkin carving parties, a fourth of July camping trip with siblings and cousins, and a ski trip with cousins in Colorado. We enjoy activities like fishing, hiking, water activities, riding bikes, and roasting marshmallows by the campfire. During these family events and trips, there are several children and your child will be a wonderful addition to the fun!

We live in beautiful New Mexico, where we enjoy all four seasons and over 300 days of sunshine each year, with easy access to both the mountains and the desert. Our home offers stunning mountain views, colorful sunsets, and daily visits from deer, with hiking and biking right outside our door. We live in a four-bedroom, three-bath house featuring a unique atrium where we grow trees, avocados, and lemons. Our favorite space is the bright, open kitchen where we cook, gather, and share meals together.

Our backyard includes a shaded patio and a garden filled with fruit trees, vegetables, and flowers. Rio loves playing soccer, chasing cousins with water toys, and climbing on his ninja playset. We also enjoy spending time at our neighborhood club with a pool, summer movie nights, and a summer camp for kids to play sports.

Our family lives in the neighborhood, including Rio's grandparents, aunt and uncle, and his cousins. We spend time together weekly for dinners, park visits, and pool time. We often walk or bike to the nearby park to meet other families. Our community is known for its festive holiday spirit, from Christmas lights to Halloween celebrations, and is a safe, welcoming place to raise a family.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our family. We know this is a deeply emotional and personal decision, and we want to honor your strength, your courage, and the love you already have for your child. While we cannot fully understand the magnitude of what you are facing, we recognize the depth of heart it takes to consider a path like this, and we hold that with immense respect.

What we do understand is what it means to make life-changing decisions rooted in love, hope, and courage. Our own journey to having our family has taught us how powerful and transformative those choices can be. We hope that by sharing who we are, you can feel the warmth, stability, and love that fill our home every day.

If you choose us, we would welcome the opportunity to build a connection with you?"one that feels comfortable, respectful, and right for you. We want your child to grow up knowing the strong, loving person you are and understand where they come from. Their story begins with you, and we would honor that always. We believe that a child’s identity is strengthened by knowing their roots, and we would make sure they grow up with a deep sense of pride in their heritage and in the love that brought them into the world.

Your child would be welcomed into a home filled with laughter, support, and adventure. We are an active family who loves being outdoors?"hiking, biking, skiing, camping, and exploring new places together. We cook as a family, travel, and create meaningful experiences that help our son learn, grow, and enjoy being a kid. These are the moments that shape our family, and we would joyfully share them with a second child.

They would also have a sibling who is eager to welcome them. Our son, Rio, is kind, curious, energetic, and full of love. He talks often about becoming a big brother and is excited to share his favorite activities, his laughter, and the joy he brings into our home every day. He is ready to embrace a sibling with open arms and a full heart.

As parents, we are hands-on, present, and committed to raising children who are confident, compassionate, and connected to their heritage. We encourage curiosity, kindness, and a sense of responsibility to others. We want our children to feel supported in exploring their interests, discovering their strengths, and growing into the people they are meant to be. We will provide your child with a life filled with love, stability, opportunity, and the freedom to explore who they are.

If we are blessed to welcome your child into our family, they will be cherished beyond measure. We will make sure they know that their story began with love, and that you will always be an important part of who they are. We will celebrate their heritage, their story, and the connection they will always have with you.

If you choose us, we will be eternally grateful for the precious life you brought into this world. Your child will always know they were loved from the very beginning—by you, and by us. Most of all, we will love your child with our whole hearts, with joy, with patience, and with deep gratitude. They will be cherished, celebrated, and surrounded by a family who will love them endlessly.

Sincerely,

Michael & Angelina