Hello! We are Mike & Melissa from Southern California. We admire the brave and selfless decision you are considering and hope these few pages will paint a clear picture of what your child’s life will be like in our family. We look forward to providing our future child with all that they need to be happy, loved, and successful in life. Thank you for taking the time to get to know us!

We met online and had our first date at a local restaurant known for its healthy foods. We knew that we had something special that night as we enjoyed getting to know one another while walking around our community. Our cultural values, religious beliefs, and similar family backgrounds strengthened our relationship. After 15 months of dating, Mike proposed to Melissa while they were out running. He popped the question on the top of a hill with great views of the nearby mountains and Orange County. Mike chose to propose there so that Melissa would have happy memories of their engagement whenever she was on the trails. We have been married for three awesome years filled with puzzles and tv shows, potluck meals with family and friends, participation in church activities, and adventures to new places.

I was born and raised in Southern California as the second oldest of three children. I grew up doing fun activities with my family such as attending Dodgers baseball games, going on family road trips, and visiting county fairs. In college, I majored in psychology and took classes in education. Following my experiences as a substitute teacher and a house manager in a group home, I attended graduate school for my doctorate degree in psychology. I enjoy the challenge of helping adults and bringing hope and healing. In recent years I began my part-time private practice. I enjoy working from home and am able to set my own schedule so that I can be available and attentive to our future child. I take care of my body and enjoy healthy eating and regular physical activity. My Christian faith is a big part of my identity. In addition to attending church, I also look to God for peace, hope, strength, and wisdom in my personal life, in relationships, and at work. I believe that my beliefs make me a better person but they also keep Mike and I united, humble, and focused as individuals and as a couple.

Throughout my life, I have cared for children as a big sister, aunt, and professional. I am confident in my abilities to raise our future child, support healthy development, and be knowledgeable about recommended parenting practices. It is important to me to have a loving and strong relationship with Mike and good communication as parents. As I think about becoming a parent, I accept the responsibility and commitment to bring love, fun, guidance, protection, and teaching to our child for a lifetime.

As an adult, my parents became my heroes. As a husband, my wife has become my hero. As I learn more about Melissa, my love increases. She is such a warm, kind-hearted person that loves people and God. She is smart, vibrant, loving, and tender, yet so humble. Melissa constantly pushes me to be a better person, better husband, and hopefully a great father.

To be married to a psychologist is truly a blessing. She is levelheaded and intellectual, able to make good decisions. But more importantly, her heart for others is truly apparent and her desire to help and love people is one of many things I love about her.

Melissa will make a wonderful mother because of who she is and what she learned from her parents. She loves to be around children, playing silly games and singing silly songs. I see her as a great mother, so full of love, sacrifice, and patience as she continually displays those traits towards me on a daily basis.

I grew up in sunny San Diego until I moved to Orange County for work. I chose a college near home, University of California, San Diego, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. I enjoyed great times during my college years as I got to live with church friends in an apartment and then lived at home with my parents. I realized that working in the computer industry was not my cup of tea and began working as an EMT on an ambulance after college. One year later, I landed my dream job as a firefighter and currently work as a Fire Captain/Paramedic. The best hobby and career is being able to say that my office is a fire truck. Although every day is different and often filled with unexpected events, I always go home with the feeling that I made a meaningful and positive impact upon the community.

I also believe that a good work-life balance is important. Before meeting Melissa, I watched a lot of Food Network, Travel Channel, and ESPN. However, after meeting her, I began enjoying these activities in real life! I love to travel with Melissa and explore the world together. I look forward to spending time cooking, traveling, and playing games and sports with our future child.

Mike is my best friend; I feel giddy and have butterflies when I am with him. I learned early on while dating that he is my “Melissa Whisperer” as he knows how to lift my spirits after a hard day. Mike is generous of heart, humble, attentive to my needs, and a strong leader. I can count on him! He learned to cook while on duty at the fire station and makes very good lasagna and Korean barbeque among other things.

I am very supportive and proud of Mike in his career and excited for all the cool assignments he participates in. He is well-liked by co-workers who respect his professionalism, work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to training others. He is known for his good judgment, dependability, and problem-solving skills.

I know Mike will be an awesome dad because he is playful, a good teacher and role model, and will create and maintain a stable family environment. I look forward to growing with Mike as we take trips with our future child and teach them about the people and world around us.

We live in a quiet and safe town 35 miles south of Los Angeles. We enjoy walking to get groceries or coffee and going for runs around the neighborhood. We also enjoy local activities such as summer concerts in the park, weekly farmer’s market, and visits to nearby hiking trails. There are several great schools in the area for our future child to attend.

We have a beautiful 4-bedroom, custom remodeled house with a nice-sized backyard and front yard for entertaining guests or playing ball with little ones. Our home is located on a cul-de-sac in a peaceful neighborhood.

We have close relationships with both of our families, all of whom live in Southern California, and talk with our parents often. All of our parents instantly connected and bonded over us, childhood memories, and favorite foods. One of our relationship highlights was a family trip to Hawaii with both sets of parents.

MELISSA’S SIDE: My mother is from Hawaii and shared her love for Hawaiian traditions and warm hospitality with me. My father’s ancestors were founding members of Los Angeles Chinatown in the 1930s. My parents enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and my energetic niece and nephew would be excited to have a cousin to play with!

MIKE’S SIDE: My parents loved to host family gatherings and holiday “staycations” in their beautiful home overlooking the San Diego coastline. Since becoming a widower in 2021, my father continues to host these gatherings. Our families especially enjoy larger birthday and holiday celebrations when we can interact and the children can play together. In addition to traveling to Hawaii, we also had fun together on trips to Mammoth Lakes and Las Vegas.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about us. As you consider adoption for your child, we would be truly honored if you select us to love and care for them. We look forward to learning about you as well and can’t wait to hear from you. Whatever you decide, we wish you the best!