Our family is built on love, resilience, and a deep commitment to providing stability for children who need it most. My wife, Mariana, and I have been married for five years and together for seven. We live in Maryland with our blended family, which includes Mariana’s two children—her oldest, whom she adopted in a previous marriage and who is now attending college in Austin, Texas, and her younger daughter, Soleil, who is 11 and lives with us full time. I am also the father of two daughters from a previous marriage who live in New York City but remain an important part of our lives. Our home is lively and nurturing, filled not only with children but also with three dogs, one cat, and six birds. We believe deeply that every child deserves a safe, loving, and permanent family. Our path to adoption began with heartbreak but grew into purpose. After experiencing significant pregnancy complications, we learned that we would not be able to have biological children together. This was a painful realization, but it opened our hearts to new ways of growing our family. In 2024, we hosted a Spanish exchange student for a full year, and the experience transformed us. We saw how a young person can thrive when surrounded by encouragement, structure, and unconditional care. Last summer, we welcomed a 14yearold girl into our home for 30 days. In that short time, she became part of our family in every meaningful way. We saw her smile more, relax more, and begin to trust. We saw her strength and her potential. We also saw how much she needed a permanent family—and how deeply we wanted to be that family for her. By the time she returned to Colombia, our hearts were already committed. Her adoption is not simply a choice; it is a calling. This is our first adoption together as a couple, though Mariana has prior experience from adopting her oldest son. That experience has given her insight into the emotional and logistical demands of adoption and strengthened our resolve to walk this jo