Hello! We are Dan and Cassaundra, along with our son, Miller! We live in sunny Orange County, California, with a wonderful village of family and friends who support us. We cannot begin to comprehend the depth of your grief or the challenges you are facing in making this decision. Please know that we admire your strength and the love you have for your precious baby. You are truly capable and caring, and we hope you feel empowered during this time. We look forward to the possibility of meeting you and providing you with our encouragement and support throughout this journey. Thank you for taking the time to learn about us. You are in our hearts and prayers as you navigate this difficult path.
Dear Birth Mother
Why We're Adopting
We are absolutely thrilled to be expanding our family through adoption and can't wait to welcome a new little bundle of joy into our home. Our excitement is shared by Miller, who is eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new sibling. We've been preparing together, setting up the nursery and reading books about adoption, which has only heightened our joy and anticipation. We are excited to provide a supportive home for your little one and hope they grow to know how deeply loved they are by you and us. Our greatest dream is for them to feel safe, secure, and confident in who they are. Part of that is allowing them to know their story and the people who helped bring them into the world. We will always be grateful to you because you brought this child into our lives. Our hearts are full of love and we are ready to share that love with another precious child.
Our Family Enjoys
We cherish our core values of family, adventure, and lifelong learning. We love going on weekend road trips, exploring new places around our home, and spending time outdoors. Some of our favorite activities as a family include building sandcastles at the beach and sleeping under the stars. One of our most memorable experiences was taking our son, Miller, on a cross-country road trip when he was just five months old, camping along the way. It's important to us to show our children the world, as we want them to learn through diverse experiences and explore different cultures. We can't wait to include our new little one in these adventures, sharing our love for nature, culture, and fun experiences. Our bucket list includes visiting every state in the U.S. and taking a family trip to a national park each year. We also have a quirky collection of mugs from our travels. When Cassaundra isn't teaching, she enjoys surfing and getting lost in a good book. After work, she loves discovering new parks with Miller and meeting up with friends for playdates. Dan, on the other hand, shares his passion for cooking with friends and family whenever he can, and he stays active by playing goalie in his weekly hockey league. We are excited to include our future child in all these activities, creating lasting memories and ensuring they feel loved and cherished as part of our adventurous family.
Hi! I'm Cassaundra
I was born and raised in Orange County, California, and it has always been my happy place. I love the beach and warm sunshine! I am a Second Grade teacher at a local public school. Knowing I can positively impact the kids’ lives is what I love most about my job.
I love everything about being a mom and consider it my greatest privilege! Waking up knowing I get to be a mom is the best feeling, and I love experiencing life with my son by my side. The bond I share with Miller lights up our whole world. I can't wait to form a special connection with our newest addition. I look forward to them joining us on our great adventures, playing outside, spontaneous trips to the beach, celebrating holidays with our big family, and filling the house with laughter from games of chase.
More About Cassaundra, Written by Dan
I am constantly amazed by Cassaundra’s caring nature and her ability to infuse our lives with fun and adventure. She has an incredible talent for discovering new and exciting experiences ensuring we have opportunities to grow and learn together as a family. Her dedication is boundless; she gives every ounce of herself to others, always accompanied by a warm smile and a joyful laugh. It’s remarkable because she often doesn’t even realize the depth of her impact. Whether she is nurturing our son Miller, supporting me, teaching her 27 Second Graders with passion and patience, or showering our dog with love and attention, Cassaundra’s generosity knows no limits. Her selflessness and enthusiasm truly make our family feel special and complete.
Hi! I'm Dan
I feel lucky to have grown up among the beautiful pine barrens of southern New Jersey. My passions align perfectly with my role as the Executive Director of the Orange County Bird of Prey Center. I spend my time doing community outreach, education and rehabilitation for birds of prey. My job is meaningful because I'm able to use my passion for building and fostering community. My free time has evolved over the years, shifting from seeking adventures with Cassaundra and our friends to finding opportunities to teach Miller and help him learn from our experiences. I love spending time with him and enjoy sharing my passions as he grows and learns. As we prepare to grow our family through adoption, I am excited to share our lives and passions with our new addition.
More About Dan, Written by Cassaundra
Dan is the most loyal, kind-hearted, and hardest-working person I know. He’s always the first to help someone in need and never hesitates to do the right thing. Dan's thoughtfulness is evident in the little things, like picking up trash along our hikes and carrying it in his back pocket to keep the trail clean. His instinct to look out for everyone around him, including strangers, is truly admirable. Our son Miller’s face lights up with joy when Dan, or ‘Dada,’ comes home. Dan even adjusted his work schedule to have special ‘dude dates’ with Miller once a week, taking him on fun and adventurous outings. He loves Miller deeply and always tells him how proud he is and how much he loves him. It’s been so fun watching Dan become a dad.
Our Favorites
Favorite Dinner
Dan Paella
Cassaundra Dan's homemade tacos
Favorite Vacation Spot
Dan Joshua Tree
Cassaundra Yosemite National Park
Favorite Place to Take Miller
Dan Hiking in the outdoors
Cassaundra The beach
Favorite Dessert
Dan Gummy worms
Cassaundra Homemade brownies
Favorite Sport to Play
Dan Hockey
Cassaundra Surfing
Favorite Hobby
Dan Bird watching
Cassaundra Photography
Favorite Musical Artist
Dan Townes Van Zandt
Cassaundra Taylor Swift
Favorite Lunch Box Snack
Dan Clementine
Cassaundra Cheese and crackers
Favorite Ice Cream
Dan Mint chocolate chip
Cassaundra Cookies and cream
Favorite Way to Relax
Dan Camping
Cassaundra The beach
Meet Miller
Miller is a free-spirited, adventurous, and caring young boy who embraces everyone with warm hugs and kisses. He eagerly participates in all our daily activities, and his presence is always cherished. His gentle and empathetic nature will make him a wonderful big brother. He's already been packing up his clothes that don't fit him to share with his little sibling. He constantly talks about how excited he is to be a big brother.
Our Family Pillars
- We don't take anything for granted
- We spread joy and value community
- We explore new places together
- We love deeply, laugh hard and kiss goodnight
- We spend as much time outdoors as possible
Our Home
We live in a 2-bedroom house in a beautiful picturesque Spanish coastal town in Southern California. Our favorite thing about our home is the vibrant community around it. We enjoy weekly pool play dates with our neighbors and festive holiday block parties. Our front door opens to a beautiful lake where Miller loves fishing or having bike races with friends. When we are home, we often host family and friends for BBQs, with Dan cooking up elaborate meals. We cherish sharing our home and food with the people we love. We are grateful to have a backyard where the kids can play and several playgrounds in the neighborhood with community pools. Walking and bike paths are spread throughout the area, with trails leading straight to the beach. Our friendly and diverse neighbors enrich our lives, allowing us to participate in and learn from different cultures. Our relationship is a perfect balance—Dan's adventurous spirit and Cassaundra's nurturing nature make our home both exciting and warm.
Kiki, Our Cavapoo
We have a Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Poodle) named Kiki. She loves nothing more than playing with a tennis ball at the beach and enjoys a nice swim in the ocean. At home, her favorite thing is playing chase and tug of war with Miller. She once entered a dog surf competition and won 3rd place!
Our Family
Dan's Family: My family lives in New Jersey, but we spend every holiday together. We talk on the phone weekly, and Miller loves FaceTiming his grandma (Lollie) and grandpa (Pop) every week. They adore Miller and try to spend every second they can with him. My brother often travels for work since he's a tour manager, so anytime he has off, he flies straight to California to play with Miller.
Cassaundra's Family: We are fortunate to see my dad (Papa), brother, and sister-in-law weekly since they live a few minutes away. My mother passed away from cancer ten years ago, which was one of the hardest experiences of my life. Miller has four cousins who enjoy chasing each other around and laughing. We go to Papa's house every Tuesday to play at the beach and have dinner. Miller loves playing with the wooden trains and pretending to BBQ with him. All of Miller's cousins are very excited about adding a new little one to the family and talk about all of the fun adventures they will take them on.
We Promise
- We promise to make sure your baby knows their adoption story and how loved they are by you and their birth family.
- We promise to raise your child in a supportive, stable, and safe environment.
- We promise to connect with your baby's birth family, if you desire, and share stories and memories about you and your loved ones.
- We promise to respect you and whatever openness and contact that you wish to have with your baby.
- We promise to provide a home for your child that allows them to truly be who they are and pursue their goals and passions freely.
- We promise to love your baby deeply and give them more snuggles and kisses than they can handle.
- We promise to show your little one the world through weekend adventures and summer vacations.
- We promise to cherish your precious baby and love them with all of our heart and souls.
In Closing
Thank you for the trust you are placing in us! We are committed to providing your child with a loving and supportive home. They will always feel secure and valued, and we will encourage their growth and learning every step of the way. Their health and happiness will be our top priorities, and we will instill strong values like kindness and respect. We will honor and celebrate their cultural and family background, and if you choose, we will maintain an open adoption to keep a connection with you. We will nurture their interests and talents. We will be there for them in every moment, celebrate their achievements, and be a consistent, loving presence in their life. Your child will always be cherished and given every opportunity to succeed.