Becoming parents has been the most meaningful and humbling experience of our lives. It means showing up every day with love, patience, and a sense of humor even when things are messy or hard. It’s about creating a home where a child feels safe, deeply loved, and encouraged to be exactly who they are.

Now that we’re raising our son, we’ve learned that it’s not just about big milestones but it’s the everyday moments that matter most. The laughs during bath time, the quiet time during a bedtime book, the look of pride on his face when he tries something new. Watching him grow and explore the world has given us an entirely new sense of purpose and joy.

We’ve also seen how adoption builds a family in such a powerful way. We hold a lot of gratitude and respect for our son's birth mother and the trust she placed in us. We’re excited (and ready!) to expand our hearts and home again.

Gab (as I call her!) is one of the most thoughtful, compassionate, and intelligent people I know and I’m so grateful to call her my wife. She makes me excited about life and not just the big adventures and possibilities but even the everyday moments are better because she’s in them. Watching her become a mom to our son has only deepened my admiration for her. She’s incredibly present, patient, and so naturally tuned in to what he needs. Whether she’s singing silly songs during bath time or helping him explore something new, she brings so much love and intention to every interaction. She’s fiercely loyal and goes all in on the people she loves. I know she’ll always be our kids’ biggest champion—encouraging them, protecting them, and making sure they feel safe being exactly who they are. She's also a big kid at heart so I know she's excited to see the world through a new set of eyes.

Ashley is kind, patient, and the most selfless person you will ever meet. She thinks about others long before she thinks of herself. She’s supportive and encouraging, and has this incredible way of calming you down when you're anxious and lifting you up when you're low. She’s also the most driven person I know. Ashley was the first in her family to graduate from college, and she’s built a successful company and career through hard work and grit. I’ve always been proud of her but watching her become a mom to our son has taken that pride to a whole new level. She’s the kind of parent who balances love and laughter with structure and thoughtfulness. She brings so much joy to the little things—making up songs, reading stories, creating special traditions—and she’s already showing Des what it means to be loved unconditionally. She’s organized and on top of everything, but she’s also playful and silly and never takes herself too seriously.

Gabby: Two of my strongest values are empathy and critical thinking. I try to see things from other people’s perspectives and understand their experiences, especially when they’re going through something hard. As a college professor, I spend a lot of time researching and asking questions. I like to be informed and intentional in the way I move through the world. Becoming a parent has only deepened this for me. I want our children to grow up feeling heard and respected, and to learn how to think for themselves while also showing kindness to others. Those are values I hope to model every day.

Ashley: I’ve always been someone who others feel comfortable opening up to. I’m calm, steady, and a good listener and I think those qualities have really helped me grow into motherhood. I lead with compassion and try to make people feel safe, supported, and valued. Loyalty means a lot to me, and I believe in showing up fully for the people I love. Whether it’s helping our son try something new or making space for a tough moment, I do my best to create a peaceful, nurturing environment where our family can thrive.

Something special about us is that we’ve been part of each other’s families for over 20 years — celebrating holidays, traveling together, and showing up for all of life’s big moments. Both of us come from Italian families who love food, laughter, and being together. These days, we host brunches with friends where we try new recipes, catch up, and play games, while Desi jumps from lap to lap. We spend most of our weekends at swim lessons, listening to music, and playing in the park as a family. For our son's first birthday, we visited family out of state and watched him play fetch with their dog for the first time — his belly laugh was unforgettable. We visit Disney as a family (we’re huge Toy Story and Star Wars fans) and host both Thanksgiving and Christmas in our home now. Adoption has been such a beautiful part of our story, and our family has embraced it fully. They’ve been there through every step and are so excited to welcome another child with love, patience, and joy.

We live in a family-friendly neighborhood in Tennessee, right across the street from a 300-acre park with walking trails, playgrounds, sports fields, a lake, and a dog park. There’s always something happening, especially when the weather’s nice. Food trucks, live music, families playing yard games by the water… it’s got such a good energy. One of our favorite events every year is the Tomato Art Fest where neighbors decorate their porches, kids paint the sidewalks, and there’s even a full-on parade.

Our home has four bedrooms, a fenced-in yard, and a family room that’s turned into our main hangout spot. Since becoming parents to our son, it’s filled with a lot more laughter, toys, and dance parties in the kitchen. We host game nights, plant vegetables in the spring, carve pumpkins in the fall, and spend weekends walking to the farmers market or grabbing coffee nearby. There are lots of families in our area, and we bump into the same friendly faces at the park, at local events, and sometimes just out on walks. It is a welcoming and diverse community where we’re excited to keep growing in.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our family and for considering us as potential adoptive parents. We recognize how deeply personal and complex this decision is, and we approach it with immense respect and care. We promise to honor and celebrate the special story that connects us. Your child will always know where they came from, and how much love and strength it took to bring us together. They will grow up knowing how brave and thoughtful you are.

Going through the adoption process was one of the most meaningful experiences of our lives. It shaped the way we think about family, the way we show up for one another, and the way we parent. Our relationship with our son's birth mom is built on honesty, empathy, and trust, and remains a central part of our lives. We are hopeful to create something similar with you, should that feel right for you. We are committed to sending letters and pictures and are open to discussing how you would like to continue our relationship in the future.

Sharing our story with you means sharing who we are and the kind of home and family we aspire to create for our children. We have been married for 10 years and together for over 20 years. Our strong, loving foundation is built on shared values, which will shape how we will raise your child. These values include:

• Empathy & Compassion: We strongly believe the world needs more kindness and understanding. We will raise our children to consider others' feelings and recognize their struggles. Through our own actions, we hope to be role models of empathy, showing them how to extend a helping hand or a listening ear to those who may be hurting.
• Self-Love & Confidence: We want to raise our children to feel secure in who they are and embraces their unique identities and talents. We will teach them to speak to and about themselves with kindness and pride. Our home will be a place where they will feel loved and supported to try new things, without fear of judgment or failure.
• Family & Community: We cherish our deep relationships with our friends, neighbors, and family. We are excited to nurture that sense of belonging in our children. From Friday pizza nights to big holiday celebrations, we value quality time with loved ones. We will encourage our children to form strong bonds within the community and learn how to be a caring friend and family member.
• Embracing Differences & Inclusion: We believe in a world where everyone feels valued and celebrated. We will teach our children to respect and appreciate the diversity of people and cultures, and to engage in discussions about race, difference, and privilege with thoughtfulness. Through books, experiences, and open conversations, we will expose them to different viewpoints to nurture understanding and inclusivity.
• Education & Critical Thinking: Instilling a strong love of learning is important to us. We will ensure that our children have access to a good education and encourage them to develop a curious mind. We will support them in asking questions, thinking deeply, and formulating their own informed opinions.
• Generosity & Giving Back: We believe in the power of giving back and want to raise our children to find joy and fulfillment in helping others, whether through big acts of service or small gestures of kindness. We hope to teach our children that they can make a positive difference in the world, starting with their own community.
• Advocating for Yourself & Others: We will encourage our children to find their voices and use it for good ?" whether standing up for themselves, or for others who may be less able. We want to raise children who aren't afraid to speak out against injustice and who fight for what they believe in.

We hope these words convey the warmth, love, and respect for you that we hold in our hearts. Thank you again for considering us.

With love and gratitude,

Ashley & Gabby

Ashley & Gabby