Ryan is an Elementary Physical Education teacher and Erica was a High School Spanish teacher before moving into administration (Dean of Students). We work for the same district and plan to spend the rest of our career in this district. Ryan plans on staying in the classroom as a teacher while Erica hopes to one day become an Activities Director (overseer of clubs, associations, dances, etc.). Being educators means we will have a schedule that mirrors that of our child allowing us to be the highly involved parents that we hope to be. We will have evenings, weekends and school vacations off to spend together and go on adventures as a family. Our careers have allotted us the opportunity to learn so much about the development of children as well as an array of different cultures. We get to help students find success even in their toughest moments which is what makes our careers so rewarding. We truly believe that being in education has gifted us a unique set of skills and experiences that we look forward to bringing into parenthood

In our leisure time, we like spending time with friends, working out, camping, traveling, attending sporting events and reading. Individually, Ryan loves to golf and Erica loves the theatre. On the weekends, you will often find us spending time with friends and family enjoying new restaurants, playing games, hanging out with our dog, or spending a quiet night on the couch reading or watching a movie. During breaks, when we have even more time off, we love taking road trips, camping, paddleboarding, and traveling. Throughout the summer, we keep a garden to provide us with fresh fruits and vegetables.

We hope to introduce our child to so many of these fun activities while making space for them to also explore their own special interests. We look forward to s'mores around the campfire, bedtime storytime, going to their 1st professional game and encouraging them to lead a healthy lifestyle. We cannot wait to experience these moments with a child.

Cultural diversity and understanding are areas where we are lifelong learners. The topic of diversity has changed over the years and being proactive is how we hope to address diversity in our home. We are lucky to work in schools with diverse populations that foster an inclusive environment of unique cultures, perspectives, and experiences. We know that addressing diversity cannot happen in isolation. It must be something that is fully integrated into our lives. We must be intentional in creating an accepting and informed atmosphere in our home. Our experiences and sought out learning have equipped us to know how to talk about cultural diversity and have given us the understanding of how to seek out cultural experiences to enjoy together.

Outside of our formal learning, traveling is an opportunity to grow together and explore different cultures around the world. We have enjoyed sharing experiences like tasting new cuisines, participating in local traditions and navigating unfamiliar streets in many countries around the world. Witnessing the diverse ways people live, think, and celebrate life can inspire meaningful conversations and broaden perspectives. We cannot wait to see the world through the eyes of a child as they too experience all the diversity this world has to offer.

Our 4-bedroom home is located in the south of Denver. Denver is a diverse community full of cultural festivals, events, food and languages. We love our home for its easy access to new experiences and its open-concept that allows it to serve as a gathering place for all our family and friends. It is the ideal space for raising a family and creating cherished memories together cooking and playing games. We are nestled in a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood, perfect for children to grow up in a safe and supportive environment. Our large backyard gives us space to spend lots of time during the warm weather days. Erica grows vegetables and fruit every summer while Ryan keeps the yard green for a nice playing area for our dog, Avery. Our backyard is perfect for a child to have fun, featuring a secure fenced-in area with plenty of room to run, play, or a future swing set.

In addition to the home itself, the location is ideal for families. There are top-rated schools, state parks, and family-friendly attractions just minutes away. The city has an incredible network of libraries, recreation centers, museums, and local neighborhood events in addition to the trails and playgrounds that provide opportunities for outdoor adventures and fresh air. Our proximity to the mountains grants us the opportunity to enjoy all the marvels of this beautiful state.

To us, family is everything. We are so lucky to have our parents and siblings all within a 30-minute drive of our home. Whether it's a Sunday night family dinner, our niece's track meet or nephew's basketball game, going to community events or simply finding an excuse to get together, we see family frequently. Our family is overjoyed with the possibility of adding another family member through adoption. Ryan's family has been greatly impacted by the joy that adoption can bring as his mother and uncle were adopted.

Our families have always provided an invaluable safety net of emotional, physical, and social support. For a child, being surrounded by loving relatives fosters a sense of belonging and provides them with role models who can contribute to their growth, confidence, and stability. They will have adults in their life outside of us to turn to which we know has a positive impact on development.

Outside of our family we have a large network of friends who feel like family. Whether it's a colleague, a friend from our own childhood or the community at our gym, this child's life will be filled with people to love and support them. We truly believe in the proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child," and our village awaits a new member with open arms.

We are Ryan and Erica. Though you do not know us yet, we would like to begin by sincerely thanking you for considering us as potential adoptive parents for your child. We deeply admire the strength, love, and courage it takes to make this decision. We have the greatest respect for you and your journey in this process. If we are fortunate enough to be chosen, please know that your child will be safe in our home as they are embraced with unconditional love, strong support, and heartfelt devotion.

We met in 2009 and celebrated 10 years of marriage in June of 2024. While we may have met online, what we've built leaves no question that we were made for each other. Our relationship has been an incredible journey filled with excitement, unwavering commitment, and endless fun. From adventures around the world to quiet moments reading on the couch, every day has strengthened our bond. Over the course of our relationship, we've experienced loss, celebrated milestones and grown stronger as individuals and as a couple. We each have our strengths and it is how we balance each other's weaknesses that make us so strong together. Having been together for so many years, we have navigated both the highs and lows that come with life and always lean into each other to stay strong.

We have been blessed with watching our niece and nephew grow to become amazing people and enjoy their passions in life. Though we are unable to have a child on our own, we eagerly look forward to welcoming a child through adoption into this wonderful life, surrounding them with love, and showing them just how cherished and important they are to us and to our family and friends. We believe the compassion, support, and enthusiasm in our village will be valuable strengths as we build our family. From summer BBQs to matching PJs at Christmas, this child will be cherished by healthy grandparents, eager aunts and uncles, and excited cousins to love them and provide a sense of stability as they grow.

We promise you that their childhood will be filled with memories that will empower them to be strong and confident in who they are. Our own childhoods were enriched with family, friends, sports, learning, dance, and music. We dream of giving our child as well-rounded a childhood as we had. As educators, we look forward to supporting their pursuit of learning not only in a formal setting, but through experiences and travel. We will foster a bilingual home of English and Spanish so that they might have every opportunity in this diverse world. Travel is a passion near to our hearts and we anxiously await the first adventure we get to take as a family of three and the opportunity to see the world through their eyes. Above all, we will raise a child who knows kindness to their core and values the differences of those around them so that they can in turn improve the lives that surround them.

Our promise to you is that this child will always know who you are and where they came from. We look forward to including you in this child's life to whatever degree you might choose. Whether it's texts, letters, calls or annual visits, we look forward to welcoming you as a member of our family so that this child might have a better sense of who they are and what they can grow to become. We are committed to making sure that this child knows how extraordinary you are and how your selfless act of adoption brought so much joy into our home.

With love and gratitude,

Ryan & Erica