After tying the knot in 2014, we moved back to Washington, D.C. (where we had met almost 5 years earlier) to start our legal careers, and we've lived here ever since. Tim worked at an international law firm for many years before moving in-house to a major technology company, while Ashwin has been working as a lawyer in the government and nonprofit sectors. We have both volunteered in our communities as well. Ashwin mentors law students from diverse backgrounds, and Tim provides pro bono legal services to LGBTQ asylum seekers and has even read to children at the elementary school down the street.

Family and friends are a huge part of our lives. We have many friends in the Washington, D.C. area, and we see them often for dinner parties, movie nights, or going out to the theater or restaurants. We also are very close with our families and although they don't live in Washington, we see them many times each year. We know that our family and friends will be an important part of our child's life one day too.

Aside from our professional lives, we make sure to carve out plenty of time for the activities and experiences that bring us the most joy. Traveling is one of our greatest passions — we love exploring new corners of the country and the world, immersing ourselves in the different cultures, cuisines, and natural beauty of every destination we visit. Even when we're home, we love to get outdoors. Whether it's hiking in a national park, kayaking in the Potomac River, or simply wandering the streets of Washington on a weekend morning, we love exploring and experiencing new things both on vacation and in our own backyard.

We also prioritize staying active. We work out almost daily, whether it's hitting the gym, going for a bike ride, or taking a long walk. Physical fitness and health are important, and we enjoy the way these activities allow us to connect with each other and clear our minds.

Our diverse cultural backgrounds are a source of richness in our lives. Ashwin's family is of Indian heritage, while Tim's family is of Italian and other European heritage. Ashwin's parents are bilingual, speaking both English and Marathi, an Indian language, while Tim speaks French and some Italian. We will raise our child to treasure cultural differences and hope to teach them to speak other languages.

We deeply value maintaining strong connections to our cultural backgrounds. Whether it's celebrating holidays, cooking beloved family recipes, or learning the languages and histories of our families, we will raise our child in the cultural heritage of their birth family, our families, and our friends and community.

In addition, immersing ourselves in different cultures is one of our greatest passions. Traveling the world has opened our eyes to the ways—many different, some the same—that humans live and navigate the world. We can't wait to bring our child on these journeys and spark their curiosity and appreciation for the world.

We also love to eat good food from around the world and share it with those we love. Whether it's cooking Indian or Italian food, or challenging ourselves to cook something completely new—or even just baking some holiday cookies—cooking and eating are a big part of our lives, and we can't wait to share those joys and traditions with our child.

We are fortunate to call Washington, D.C. our forever home. In 2020, we moved from a smaller apartment into a beautiful historic rowhouse with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, situated in a vibrant, family-friendly neighborhood. Our home is a true reflection of our personalities — warm and welcoming to family and friends.

The location of our house is particularly special, as we're just a stone's throw away from some of the city's most iconic landmarks and beloved destinations. We're surrounded by city parks, the National Mall, the world-renowned Smithsonian museums, and incredible restaurants.

Our neighborhood is a melting pot of families from all walks of life. We know our neighborhood and community is an ideal environment for a child to learn, grow, and thrive.

The quality of the public and private schools in our community is also a major draw for us as we look to the future. Our neighborhood is walkable and kid-friendly, with many schools only a few blocks from our home. We believe strongly in the power of education, and we're eager to provide our child with access to top-notch academic and extracurricular opportunities that they love and that will help them reach their full potential.

Both of our families are incredibly supportive of our dream of becoming parents, and our parents in particular are absolutely thrilled at the prospect of welcoming a new grandchild. They can't wait to lend a helping hand, shower the child with love and affection, and play an active role in their upbringing.

Tim has a brother, while Ashwin has a brother and a sister. We're also fortunate to have a beautiful niece through Ashwin's sister, whom we adore. Our families are close, and we know that our child will be surrounded by loving grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who are all so excited to be involved in our child's life.

Beyond immediate family, we also have an amazing support system of many close friends who have been with us through thick and thin. Some of them have young kids who we have loved getting to know, and these friends in particular will be a source of support and advice. All of our friends have become like family to us, and we know they will play an active role in our child's life, providing our child with a diverse array of mentors, role models, and playmates.

In some way, it feels like we already know you, even though we've yet to meet. We don't pretend to understand the incredible sacrifice and difficult decisions you're facing. But we admire your courage more than words can express and will be forever grateful for the selfless act of love that brought us to this moment.

As you navigate this journey, please know that we're here to walk alongside you, to listen without judgment, and to honor your needs. Whether through letters, photos, or even visits, we're committed to maintaining a connection that feels genuine and right for you.

You're not alone in this. We're rooting for you, believing in you, and eagerly awaiting the day when our lives come together. When that happens, we'll welcome your child with open arms and boundless love — so thankful for the incredible gift you've entrusted to us.

From the very start of our relationship, we knew that we wanted to become parents. After more than 14 years of building our life together, we are beyond ready to share our life and love with a child. Adoption has always been our path to parenthood because, for us, being a parent means loving your child unconditionally and providing them with what they need to grow and thrive. By opening our hearts and our home, we hope to not only fulfill our dream of parenthood, but to also make a meaningful difference in the life of a child. The thought of nurturing a child, of watching them grow and thrive, fills us with so much joy. We can already envision our little one dancing in our kitchen while we make cookies, hiking while on vacation, and playing with their cousins on the beach.

We've spent so much time preparing for this moment. Together we have built a marriage, home, and community that is so excited to embrace your child. We have built this life in our nation's capital, a vibrant city of so many cultures, activities, and families of all kinds. We live here because we love it and know that it's an ideal place to raise a child to reach their full potential; to have every opportunity imaginable.

Our home is warm and welcoming, a true reflection of our personalities. It's filled with color, light, art, and mementos from our travels — a space in which we make memories with our friends and family. And it's just waiting for the pitter-patter of little feet, the sound of a child's laughter, and so many more cherished memories.

As we look to the future, we're filled with a profound sense of purpose. We can't wait to shower a child with our unwavering love, to nurture their curiosity, and to empower them to reach for the stars. It will be our highest calling, knowing that your selfless decision will have an immeasurable impact on all our lives.

Thank you for giving us a chance. Thank you for letting us open our lives to you. We can't wait to meet you and start this journey together.

Tim & Ashwin