Hi, we’re Paul and Brandon, a loving and dedicated couple. We met in 2008, while working at the same retail store. Paul made the first move by asking a mutual friend to introduce him to Brandon. We had our first date at a local restaurant and spent the following months bonding over our love for movies, music, and pop culture. We went on several weekend trips to Washington, D.C., New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, usually to visit a historic site, attend a concert, or see a theater performance. 

After dating for nine months, we moved into a one-bedroom apartment, not far from our families. We both spent the following years working full-time as we completed our college degrees. While it took a bit longer, our hustling allowed us to graduate debt-free and we were able to buy our home in 2013. 

In 2020, on our 12th anniversary, we were married in a small ceremony on the steps of our town’s courthouse, surrounded by our family. We share our home with our French bulldog, Sophia, and three cats: Lupe, Dubs, and Poppy. 

Throughout our relationship, we’ve always known we wanted to build our family and become parents. Our path to parenthood has been meaningful and, at times, challenging; however, this has provided opportunities to find support and become fully prepared—financially, emotionally, and practically—to welcome a child into our lives through open adoption. We have strong support from our families, both biological and chosen. We look forward to sharing this love, laughter, and support with the child we adopt. 

Thanks for learning more about us!

I grew up on a farm surrounded by siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles. This is probably why I am so outgoing and empathetic. I have always had a passion for school, learning, and socializing, and a desire to create safe spaces for queer kids (something I wish I’d had). 

After high school, I worked as a nursing assistant and medication technician at a senior living facility for seven years. I cared for many residents with dementia and terminal illnesses. It was difficult, but I learned so much about life, love, and patience. During this time, I was also able to complete my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and transferred all of this experience towards my students.

I have been teaching since 2016, and absolutely love it. I have completed my Master’s degree in Instructional Design, and currently teach middle school mathematics. I thrive off the love and energy my students bring to my life. I value the opportunities that an education has given to me, and I am fulfilled by providing that opportunity to others. In addition to teaching, I also run an LGBTQ+ nonprofit, where I lead support groups for LGBTQ+ youth and adults. 

I was raised by a single father and grandmother who are incredibly nurturing and affectionate. My dad continues to support me unconditionally and with pride. I hope to be the same type of father to a child.

When I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to learn how to read. I remember being insistent that I make it to the advanced reading group in first grade. My parents always read to me at bedtime which helped foster my adult interests in history, reading, and writing. Even now, my favorite thing to do is relax and lose a few hours in a book. I don’t doubt this is why I eventually earned a Bachelor's degree in English. 

I’m employed as a management analyst for a government contractor, supporting a nearby military base. I lovingly call that my “day job,” but my real passion is in community organizing and outreach. I try to use my skills and interests to have a positive impact on the community, and I’m on the board of an LBGTQ+ organization responsible for hosting a yearly Pride festival. I’ve been a part of several state and local government boards and commissions, and spend hours voluntarily writing an online blog to keep people informed about government decisions. Paul and I volunteer time together with several local organizations, as well.

My father passed away the year I graduated high school, and becoming a dad is something I’ve wanted for a while now. I’m excited to pass on traditions, foster interests, and provide a loving, safe environment for a child. I can’t wait to expand our family and make memories with extended family.

We have lived in our three-bedroom, two-bathroom house since 2013. Our house is cute, quaint, and surrounded by woods. We take a lot of pride in our home. Paul renovated the kitchen as a summer project, we painted two rooms in the summer of 2024, and Brandon installed three bookshelves in his office. We have a nice patio space, which is usually full of plants that Paul loves to care for.

Our house is in a small community, right next to a 10-acre park with a playground, three sport fields, and a pavilion. We enjoy having conversations with the many neighbors who come by, taking their children to the park, or walking their dogs. We love taking pictures from our neighborhood pier.

We’re excited to raise a child here. Our neighbors have become great friends. Paul’s sister, our brother-in-law, and their three kids also live in our neighborhood. We spend many weekends with them watching movies, making s’mores with other neighbors, or having dinner.

We’ve both lived in this area of Maryland our entire lives. The area is rural, but steadily growing, and not too far from cities like Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. We take day trips to nearby cities, going to museums, aquariums, theater shows, and more. We love the diverse group of friends that we have made through our advocacy and community outreach work.

Family is everything to us. We have strong relationships with both our birth families and our chosen family of close friends. We are fortunate that all of our immediate and extended family members live within a short driving distance in the same county. 

Paul and his sister talk every day – either on their drives’ home, or after the kids return from school. Brandon’s mom stops by multiple times a week to have lunch when he works from home. Regardless of biology, our families have fully accepted each other. Paul’s nieces and nephews call Brandon’s parents Grandma and Grandpa. Because we’re all close, we spend a lot of time together. 

Family is a core part of our lives, and we believe that the more people who love and support a child, the better. This is why we’re comfortable with an open adoption. We would love to maintain a connection with birth parents, so the child will grow up knowing they are surrounded by love from both families and understand the strength and love that brought them into this world.

Brandon is an avid reader and enjoys diving into books—whether fiction or nonfiction. He is often discussing his current book with his nieces and sister-in-law, who also enjoy reading. He hopes his love for literature will bring a child as much joy and inspiration as it does for him. Brandon also enjoys exploring local history, and we’re lucky to live in an area with so many historical sites to visit. Paul likes spending time making things and learning new skills, whether it is crocheting or graphic design. He regularly takes family to the local library ‘makerspace’ where we make 3D sculptures, buttons, and posters. 

Together, we have a variety of hobbies that keep us engaged and inspired. We love attending concerts and theater performances. We are often volunteering at local events and festivals on behalf of our LGBTQ+ nonprofits. 

We celebrate major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas over a traditional meal with our family. We also enjoy making new traditions. Halloween is one of our favorite holidays. Each year, Brandon spends the evening passing out candy with family, while Paul takes the kids trick-or-treating. Pride month hosts a variety of traditions, like our annual picnic, kayak excursion, and Pride festival.

We’ve spent many birthdays gathered around someone’s kitchen table, singing “Happy Birthday” and eating cake. We often give experiences as gifts; we love taking our family to theme parks, day trips, and even to visit the White House!

As parents, we believe in creating a home filled with love, respect, and open communication. We value kindness, compassion, and honesty, and are committed to nurturing a child’s self-worth and individuality. We believe in positive reinforcement—celebrating their successes, encouraging them through challenges, and helping them build resilience. Our goal is to raise a confident, kind, and independent child who knows they are unconditionally loved and supported by us, our families, and their birth parents.

We know that the journey to parenthood through open adoption will be uniquely challenging, but we are ready to face it together—individually, as a couple, as parents, and alongside the birth parents. We understand that adoption is a shared experience, and we are committed to working with you, with love and respect, as we all navigate this journey together. We can’t wait to share our lives with a child, and we are fully dedicated to creating a supportive and compassionate environment for everyone involved.

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn about us. We deeply respect the love, strength, and courage you’re showing in considering adoption. These qualities will be what we highlight when we discuss adoption with the child. We’re here with open hearts, ready to listen and share more about ourselves whenever you feel ready.