We met through a mutual friend after college and since then have bought a house, got married, and welcomed Sam via adoption. Becoming his parents has been the greatest adventure of our lives and we’re so excited to do it again.

We love spending time with friends, traveling, hosting gatherings, running, and cooking and baking together. Joe gardens and bakes bread weekly. Ryan is in a book club and makes a cake for every get-together.

Joe: Ryan is the kindest, most compassionate person I’ve ever met. He has a gift for making life feel like an adventure – there’s always a fun plan on the calendar, and sometimes cookies in the oven.

Ryan: Joe is an incredibly dependable and trustworthy person, with a thoughtful heart and witty sense of humor. He is also a gifted cook and has a very green thumb, both of which make our house a cozy and delicious place to call home.

We both come from large extended families who have completely embraced Sam and can’t wait to welcome another little one. Joe’s family spends summers together by the beach in Maine and gets together regularly throughout the year. Ryan’s family loves trying new activities and is always up for a game. We also have an incredible group of friends who are honorary family members.

Adoption has always felt like the right path for us to grow our family. As an LGBTQ couple, we’ve experienced firsthand the gift of chosen family, and we want to keep giving that gift. We feel like we have a lot to offer a child: a loving, supportive home, a welcoming community, and a genuine commitment to helping them grow into exactly who they are.

We’re excited for the big things and just as excited for the everyday moments – the playground, reading stories, Sam teaching the baby something new. Being close to the coast, we can’t wait to bring our kids to the beach! And to add one more to the wiffle ball roster at our annual 4th of July game.

Holidays are the best! All gatherings are full of family, friends, and food. We host Christmas, starting with a feast on Christmas Eve and sticky buns in the morning. We make ravioli by hand every Easter, and Thanksgiving has one rule: everyone brings a pie.

We live in a three-bedroom home outside of Boston, in a neighborhood full of parks, playgrounds, and families. We have a backyard with flower and vegetable gardens and plenty of room to run around. We’re close to the water and a quick drive away from our summer getaways in Maine.