Our dogs are such an important part of our lives and are true members of our family. Rocco, our 4-year-old Cockapoo, came into our lives just before we got engaged, so he’s been with us through many meaningful milestones. At 22 pounds, he’s incredibly smart (and slightly mischievous), athletic, adorable, and full of personality; especially when he makes his signature “gremlin” noises during playtime, which never fails to make us laugh.

Mia, our Bernedoodle, is just over a year old and brings a whole different (and equally lovable) kind of energy. She’s about 35 pounds of clumsy, aloof, dramatic sweetness. She can trip over her own feet, demand endless pets, and may act personally offended if we stop. She's a big communicator when she wants something, which can come out in unusual howling/singing noises. We like to think she deserves an Oscar for her dramatics.

Together, Rocco and Mia have taught us so much about patience, responsibility, and unconditional love. Because dogs don’t believe in sleeping in, skipping meals, or “we’ll do it later”, they rely on us completely, and that responsibility is something we take seriously. They’ve helped create a home that feels warm, playful, and full of life. We can’t wait to see the bond they’ll share with a child.

Family time for us isn’t occasional it’s woven into the rhythm of our year. Thanksgiving means heading to Bloomington, starting the day with a Turkey Trot (equal parts tradition and chaos with all the cousins), then settling in for a long, cozy day of food and laughter. The Fourth of July is one of our favorites! We spend it at the lake house with everyone together, where the days are full of swimming, boating, and kids running around until the fireworks start.

In the fall, we lean into all the seasonal fun together! Every year we look forward to going to pumpkin patches, local festivals, and holiday markets. We also love going to sports games as a family, which has become a really fun and unique perk for us. And we do our best to make time each year to take a sunny vacation in Florida where both sides of our families have homes. Staying close to family is important to us, and we picture a child growing up surrounded by cousins, traditions, and a whole lot of love.

Cultural diversity is something we take seriously and approach with humility, intention, and genuine excitement. Martina is part Hispanic through her adopted mom, and growing up, she didn’t have many opportunities to fully explore or connect with those cultural roots. That experience shaped our perspective and strengthened our commitment to do things differently for our child. We want them to feel a deep sense of pride, connection, and belonging in every part of who they are.

No matter our child’s background, we will actively learn alongside them; through books, cultural events, meaningful relationships, and shared experiences. Living near Chicago gives us access to a rich and diverse community, including museums, festivals, and neighborhoods that celebrate a wide range of cultures and traditions. We will seek out role models, friendships, and community spaces that reflect our child’s identity so they can see themselves represented and celebrated.

Most importantly, we will create an open and supportive home where conversations about identity, race, and culture are welcomed and encouraged. Our goal is for our child to grow up feeling confident in who they are, deeply loved, and connected to both their personal story and the broader community around them.

Martina is one of three and has four nephews. Martina and her siblings each grew up in a different state - her parents liked to move around. Currently, Martina's parents live within walking distance and the rest of the immediate family lives within Chicago/Park Ridge up to eight miles away. They are always eager to take our dogs for a walk or drop off groceries if we are busy. Martina's mom was adopted as a newborn, so adoption has always been part of our vocabulary and looked at as an incredible way to build a family. Martina has been fortunate to witness her mom explore connections with six half siblings whom she discovered in recent years. For leisure time, one our favorite things to try is new restaurants. We also love to play golf and go to professional and college sports games with the family.

Casey is one of six and has seven nieces/nephews, most of which live about 30 minutes north of us. Every year during Thanksgiving, we drive to Bloomington, IL to stay with Casey's extended family and do the Turkey Trot with all the kids. Afterwards, we head back towards Park Ridge to spend time with Martina's family.

We live in a welcoming suburb in Illinois, just outside of Chicago. The same community where Martina spent much of her childhood, which makes it especially meaningful for us to build our family here. Our neighborhood is full of young families, and it’s common to see kids riding bikes, playing in yards, and gathering at nearby parks. Throughout the year, the community hosts family-friendly events like seasonal festivals and a lively farmers market that we visit almost every weekend. It’s a warm and supportive environment for raising a child.

Our home is a comfortable, light-filled space with three bedrooms, the perfect amount of room for a small family. We especially love our living room where we celebrate holidays and we imagine the cozy nursery will be the backdrop of numerous bedtime stories. Within just a couple of miles, there are beautiful parks, a community pool, walking paths, a library, and a vibrant downtown area; all places where we can picture a child laughing, learning, and making memories. We’re also fortunate to have close neighbors with two young children who would be excited to welcome a new playmate, making our home feel even more connected and full of life.

We want to begin by saying thank you. We know that even taking the time to read our letter requires strength, thoughtfulness, and love. We can only imagine the range of emotions you may be feeling, and we want you to know that we see your courage and honor it deeply.

We are Martina and Casey, a married couple who have been together for 6 years (married 2.5 years) and built our relationship on friendship, trust, and a lot of laughter. Our path to adoption includes medical challenges, but this has never felt like a “second option” to us. Adoption has always been part of Martina’s life her mom and uncle were both adopted so she grew up with a deep understanding of how meaningful and life-giving it can be. Because of that, building our family through adoption is something we have long felt drawn to, and we feel truly grateful to be on this path.

If you were to choose us, your child would be welcomed into a home filled with warmth, stability, and joy. We love spending time with family, hosting dinners, exploring new places, and simply being together in the everyday moments whether that’s cooking a meal, taking a walk, or laughing over something small. We have a strong support system of family and friends, including young children in our lives who we already imagine a child growing up alongside. Our home is one where a child will always feel safe, encouraged, and deeply loved for exactly who they are.

We also want you to know how important your role is in this story. We believe that adoption begins with love, and that love includes you. We are committed to speaking openly and positively about you, and making sure your child understands their story in an age-appropriate and honest way. We want them to know where they come from and to feel proud of every part of their identity.

We are happy to send letters and pictures so you can continue to see your child grow and thrive. We are also open to more contact whether that’s emails, phone calls, or even visits in the future if that is something you are comfortable with. We understand that every situation is unique, and we are committed to building a relationship that feels right for you, always with respect and care.

Choosing adoptive parents is an incredibly personal and difficult decision. While we cannot fully understand what you are going through, we want you to know that if you choose us, we will never take that trust for granted. We promise to raise your child with kindness, patience, and unwavering love. We will celebrate who they are, support their dreams, and walk beside them through every stage of life.

No matter what you decide, we hope you feel supported and surrounded by care. Thank you again for considering us and for allowing us to share a small piece of who we are.

With gratitude and respect,

Casey & Martina