Hello! We’re Darren and Ren — thank you for taking a moment to get to know us and consider being part of our adoption journey.

Our story began in graduate school in the southern U.S., where we met while pursuing our advanced degrees. What started as study sessions quickly turned into shared meals, long walks through the wetlands, and movie nights filled with laughter. Our friendship blossomed into love, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

We were engaged during a family game night on Ren’s birthday — a moment full of joy and surrounded by loved ones. We were married during the Thanksgiving season of 2020, and every year, that time holds a special place in our hearts.

Since then, we’ve built a life filled with meaningful milestones: Ren got his first car, we bought our first house, and we both stepped into new careers. From the very beginning, though, one dream has remained constant — building a family together.

We’re incredibly fortunate to have loving, supportive families nearby, and we’ve always known we wanted to extend that love to a child. We’re hoping to grow our family through adoption and are open to a semi-open relationship with a birth family who shares that vision. We’re excited about the possibility of creating a lasting connection — not just with a child, but with the birth family who helps make this dream possible. Thank you for considering us.

I’m a special education teacher at a middle school. I’ve been working in education since 2010, and I support students who need extra help in math and reading, offering personalized strategies to help them grow and succeed. What I love most about my work is helping students gain confidence in their learning and collaborating with other dedicated teachers. I can’t wait to share my favorite study tips and learning tricks with a child.  There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a student light up after doing well on a test or assignment.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy watching movies — especially sci-fi, detective stories, animated films, and anything Disney. I’m drawn to great storytelling and creative visual effects. I also love spending time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, biking, or simply being in nature. It’s my way of recharging and finding peace.

Music is another big part of my life. I play both piano and violin, and some of my favorite childhood memories are of taking lessons, performing in musicals, and playing in orchestra and band. Music is a beautiful way to express yourself and unwind, and I look forward to sharing that joy with a child.

My husband and I also enjoy walking around our neighborhood and nearby lakes — it’s a great way to connect with our community and meet new people. It’s important to us that a child grows up in a warm, welcoming environment filled with love, learning, and laughter.

I am an artificial intelligence scientist, and I’ve been in the field since 2018, applying AI across finance, healthcare, and energy. I truly love what I do,  using coding, math, and statistics to build predictive models that solve real-world problems. It’s exciting, creative, and deeply rewarding.

Outside of work, I find joy in cooking, gardening, and caring for our four fish. I learned to cook from my mom, aunt, and grandma, and some of my fondest memories are of preparing meals together for family reunions and traditional celebrations. I can’t wait to share that love of food with a child — nourishing them with delicious and nutritious dishes and other family favorites.

Every morning, you’ll find me tending to my flowers and plants. It’s a peaceful way to start the day and watching them grow and bloom reminds me of how beautiful and full of potential life can be, much like raising a child.

I also enjoy hiking through the wetlands, swimming at our community pool, and traveling to new places with my favorite adventure partner — my husband. I’m a big fan of sci-fi and detective shows, and I love hosting game nights with friends, complete with homemade pizza and snacks. After a busy day, cooking dinner is my way to unwind and connect.  It’s a moment of comfort and joy I look forward to sharing with our family.

We live in a cozy, two-story home in Central Florida, surrounded by a vibrant and welcoming community. We've both called Florida home for over a decade.  Since settling here, we’ve truly fallen in love with the area. From the incredible variety of food—especially the Asian markets and restaurants—to the local art and music festivals, theme parks, and concerts, there’s always something exciting to explore.

One of our favorite activities is simply enjoying nature in our backyard. From our living room, we can look out through the porch and see the ducks swim in the small lake. We love watching our favorite television shows and movies downstairs in the living room to wind down and relax.  Home cooked meals are also enjoyed here.  Upstairs has the master, guest, and nursery rooms to rest and rejuvenate for the next day.

Family means everything to us, and we’re lucky to be surrounded by love and support. We both come from small, but close-knit families—each of us has a sister, a mom, and a dad. Our parents live just 25 minutes away, and we see them regularly for meals, card games, and holiday celebrations.

We often have our relatives who live nearby for weekends to go shopping or watch popular movies at the local cinema.  It’s fun to enjoy soda and popcorn while sharing our favorite characters, stories, and jokes from the movie.  They often bring over their dog which allows us to have family walks around the neighborhood.  

One of our favorite traditions is staying connected during the holidays, even when we’re apart. Every Christmas morning, we gather virtually with our sister and sister-in-law to open presents together, share smiles, and enjoy homemade waffles. No matter where we are—even on a Christmas Disney cruise—we never miss our annual Christmas stocking photo in front of the tree. It’s a tradition that’s lasted decades and one we’re excited to share with a child.

Our family is incredibly supportive of our decision to adopt. They’re thrilled to welcome a new child into our lives and can’t wait to be part of their journey—whether it’s cheering them on at school events, sharing family recipes, or simply being there with love and encouragement. We were raised with strong family bonds, where cousins were our best friends and aunts and uncles were our babysitters. We’re excited to pass those same relationships and values on to the next generation.

Our family is built on tradition, celebration, and connection. We believe life’s most meaningful moments are found in the traditions we create and the joy we share — especially during holidays, birthdays, and family adventures.

Every year, we host Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter in our home, bringing together parents, cousins, and close friends for delicious food, card games, and laughter. These gatherings have become a cherished tradition filled with warmth, storytelling, and playful competition. We love preparing meals together and sharing dishes from different cultures — Italian, American, and Asian favorites are always on the menu.

Birthdays are another special celebration in our home. We love surprising each other with thoughtful gifts, homemade meals, and game nights with friends. Ren’s birthday proposal during a family game night is one of our favorite memories — joyful, heartfelt, and surrounded by love.

Seasonally, we enjoy attending music and Broadway shows at our local theater. It’s one of our favorite ways to unwind, be inspired, and share in the magic of live performance.

On weekends, you’ll often find us strolling through local events like the art or Asian lantern festivals, followed by a bite at one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants. We love discovering new places and flavors together.

Traveling is one of our greatest joys. During school breaks and holidays, we seek out national parks and scenic destinations. Some of our favorite adventures have taken us to Mount Rainier in Washington, the Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii — where we’ve soaked in the natural beauty, explored museums, and tasted incredible local cuisine. These experiences have deepened our appreciation for different cultures and the wonder of the world, and we look forward to sharing that sense of adventure with a child.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and consider our family in your adoption journey. We know this is a deeply personal and courageous decision, and we want you to know how much we admire your strength and love. It means the world to us that you’re here, reading our story, and imagining what the future could look like.

We will raise a child in a home filled with unconditional love, laughter, and support. We will nurture their curiosity, celebrate their milestones, and guide them with honesty and compassion. We’ll share our favorite traditions — holiday gatherings, music and theater nights, travel adventures, and family game nights — and create new ones together. We hope to raise a child who feels safe, confident, and deeply cherished every single day.

We are open to a semi-open adoption and would love to build a relationship that feels right for you. We believe in honoring your role in the child’s story and will speak about adoption with openness and pride. The child will grow up knowing how deeply they are loved, not just by us, but by you. We will make sure they understand the strength and selflessness behind your decision, and that their story began with love.

Thank you again for considering us. We are ready to welcome a child with open hearts and open arms, and we’re excited about the possibility of walking this journey together.