Our cultural heritage is a vibrant tapestry that reflects a rich diversity, shaping who we are and how we envision raising our child. Ryan brings a blend of Chinese and Western European roots into our family. Every year, we immerse ourselves in celebrating Lunar New Year with Ryan's extended family, embracing traditions that honor his Chinese heritage. These celebrations are a beautiful fusion of food, festivities, and family bonding that highlight the importance of cultural heritage. Additionally, we observe holidays like Easter and Christmas with both sides of Ryan's family locally.

Keith's heritage is equally diverse, encompassing Puerto Rican, German, Native American, and Italian origins. His mother's side is deeply connected to the Native American community in South Dakota, offering us unique opportunities to engage with and respect these rich traditions. We celebrate Thanksgiving annually with Keith's family, a tradition that involves rotating hosting duties among family members who travel from across the country to come together. This gathering is not only a celebration of gratitude but also an expression of our diverse cultural backgrounds and an important touchstone for our family each year.

Together, our varied cultural backgrounds inform our shared life, bringing a wealth of traditions and perspectives that enrich our understanding and appreciation of the world. We are excited to share this cultural richness with our child, teaching them the value of diversity, the strength of heritage, and the beauty of a life deeply rooted in multiple cultures.

Our pets hold an incredibly special place in our lives, embodying much more than companionship; they are family. Todd, our first dog we rescued, was with us for 12 years, and his presence was a constant source of joy and comfort. His passing left a void, but also a deep appreciation for the love and lessons he imparted.

When the time felt right, we welcomed Avogadro (Avi), another rescue, into our home. Avogadro has brought a renewed energy and playfulness that fills our days with laughter and adventure. Like Todd, Avogadro is more than just a pet; he's a beloved member of our family who will grow alongside the child we hope to adopt, offering them the same companionship, protection, and love he gives us.

Our pets are essential in our lives because they teach us about empathy, responsibility, and the purest form of friendship. They prepare us for parenthood in unique ways, highlighting the importance of patience, understanding, and the joy of caring for another. As we look forward to expanding our family, we are grateful for the role our pets play in enriching our home with love and warmth.

Being parents, to us, means embarking on a profound journey of nurturing a new life, filled with endless opportunities for growth, learning, and love. It's about creating a safe, supportive environment where our future child can develop into their best self, equipped with the skills and understanding needed to navigate the complexities of the world.

What excites us most about becoming parents is the opportunity to witness and guide the development of a unique individual. We look forward to exploring the world anew through their eyes, experiencing the joy and wonder of discovery on every level. From the simple moments like playing in the backyard to monumental milestones like their first day of school, each experience promises to enrich our lives and deepen our understanding of the world.

Moreover, we are eager to instill values such as empathy, kindness, and compassion in our child. Teaching them to view the world through an empathetic lens is especially important to us, as it not only shapes a caring individual but also prepares them to make a positive impact on those around them. We anticipate great joy in nurturing these qualities and watching our child grow into a person who values and contributes to the well-being of others.

In essence, parenting offers us the chance to raise a child who is not only informed and independent but also kind and empathetic, ready to embrace and enhance the world with their presence. This role, filled with both challenges and immense rewards, is one we embrace wholeheartedly.

A few years ago, we purchased our forever home on a lake in a vibrant, up-and-coming neighborhood, carefully chosen with our growing family in mind. It's directly across from a Spanish language immersion elementary school, perfectly situated for our future child's educational journey. The neighborhood boasts a playground, soccer field, and basketball court, enriching our community life.

Our recent expansion increased our home to five bedrooms, providing ample space for our child to have their own room and for us to host memorable activities throughout the year. Our spacious backyard is ideal for building treehouses, canoeing, and hosting outdoor movie nights in the summer, and our local parks provide excellent sledding and snowshoeing in the winter.

The local school district ranks among the best in the state, known for its exceptional education and diverse student body, reflecting the varied cultural mix similar to our family. This setting is perfect for nurturing an appreciation for diversity, helping our child to embrace various perspectives and backgrounds.

We are thrilled to raise our family in a community that not only accepts but enthusiastically embraces us, and we eagerly anticipate making countless cherished memories here. This home and community are not just where we live, they are where we plan to build a life filled with love, learning, and respect for all.

We both come from large, close-knit, multi-cultural families. Ryan's family lives throughout the Northern Metro, and Keith's family spans across many states. We all get together frequently throughout the year to celebrate the holidays and other special events. Lunar New Year and Thanksgiving are two of our favorite family get-togethers. Our child's future grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are all very excited for us to become the dads we've always wanted, and they can't wait to be a part of our child's life!

Our support network also extends to many of our close friends and their children as well. We love to spend time with our friends playing music and video games, long-distance road biking and running, kayaking, cooking, and playing card games.

We are very much a dog household. We were fortunate to spend 12 years together with our amazing first dog, Todd, who we adopted from a local rescue. We recently rescued an Australian Shepherd puppy named Avogadro. He's an energetic pup who loves to play fetch, go for long walks, and snuggle. We know he'll be an amazing big brother when the time comes.

First and foremost -- thank you. Thank you for taking a moment to learn about us and considering us as potential adoptive parents for your child. We can only imagine the depth of your thoughts and feelings as you make this profound decision. We deeply respect and honor your journey, acknowledging the love and courage it takes to consider adoption.

We are Keith and Ryan, a committed couple who have shared our lives for over 16 years and been married for 7. Our relationship is built on a foundation of mutual respect, deep love, and shared values of family, openness, and understanding. We met while studying at the University of Minnesota, and since then, we have grown together through countless adventures, challenges, and moments of joy.

The decision to adopt comes from a long-held desire to share our love and stable home with a child. We believe in creating a nurturing environment where a child can grow to discover their potential, supported by love and encouragement. As partners, we complement each other in ways that strengthen our ability to parent with patience, wisdom, and humor.

We are open to building a relationship with you through emails, phone calls, and sharing letters and pictures via snail mail and email or social media. We are committed to maintaining open communication lines that foster a sense of community and mutual respect among us all. It is important to us that our future child knows their story and understands the unique love and brave decisions that shaped their life.

Our home in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, is a place of warmth and laughter, surrounded by a community that values diversity and inclusion. It's a place where we celebrate both small daily joys and big milestones. Our neighborhood is friendly and vibrant, offering excellent schools, beautiful parks, and wonderful cultural activities that are ideal for a growing family.

We enjoy the outdoors, whether it's kayaking on the lake, biking around the Twin Cities, hiking through the scenic trails, or simply playing in the yard with our dog, Avogadro. We believe these activities not only create lasting memories but also instill a love of nature and an appreciation for the world around us.

Our families and friends are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new family member. They are a diverse, loving, and supportive group of people who are excited to welcome and embrace a new child into our extended family circle. Holidays and family gatherings are filled with traditions, stories, and the warmth that comes from being surrounded by loved ones.

We promise to provide a home where your child will be cherished, respected, and supported as they grow and explore who they are. They will always know about the courageous decision you made out of love. We aim to raise them with an understanding of their unique background, ensuring they grow up with a strong sense of self and a compassionate view towards others.

Thank you again for considering us. We are hopeful for the opportunity to share our lives with your child, to provide them with a loving, secure, and joyful home. We look forward to potentially stepping into this journey with you, respecting your wishes and the level of openness you desire in our relationship.

With deepest gratitude and warmest regards,

Ryan & Keith