Hi! Our names are Dan & Rick from San Mateo, California. We're a Brazilian couple who have called the San Francisco Bay Area home for the past nine years. Thank you for considering us as part of the adoption journey. We know that you’re going through a difficult decision, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to tell you about ourselves. To us, adoption is a partnership rooted in respect, trust, and love. We promise to honor your wishes and always put your child’s well-being first. They will grow up knowing they were deeply loved, wanted, and cherished from the very beginning.

Since we were young, we've both dreamed of becoming parents. One of the first things Dan asked Rick when we met was how he felt about having kids—it’s been a shared dream from the very start. After nearly 10 wonderful years of marriage, we're excited and ready to grow our family. As a gay couple, adoption has always felt like the most natural and beautiful way to bring a child into our lives and share our love.

We met like many modern couples do— through an app! At the time, we lived just two blocks apart in the vibrant city of São Paulo, Brazil. From our very first date at a Japanese restaurant, we knew there was something special, and within two weeks, we were inseparable. What brought us together was our shared love for family, kids, and the deep affection we felt for one another. Just a year later, we knew this was forever and decided to get married! In 2016, we moved to the U.S. and have continued building a life full of love and laughter. Our relationship thrives on open communication, quality time, and unwavering respect for one another.

We absolutely love playing board games! It’s one of our favorite ways to spend quality time together and connect with friends and family. We’re passionate about exploring the world through travel, visiting new places, and spending cherished moments with our families, especially our nieces and nephews. Traveling always brings fresh perspectives and unforgettable experiences. We also enjoy hiking, watching movies or series, and playing video games—activities that bring us closer and fill our days with fun and laughter. We're so excited to include our future child in all of this! Whether it's exploring a new hiking trail or teaching them how to play their first board game, we can't wait to share these joyful moments as a family.

I’m the middle child with two wonderful sisters. Growing up in a home filled with love and support has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. It’s also what inspires me to create my own family and continue the legacy of love my parents started. I find joy in learning new things and sharing that knowledge with others! As a pharmacist, my career allowed me to work as a teacher and led me to work in a global pharmaceutical company, providing great opportunities, such as moving to the US, while maintaining a great work-life balance. I also love laughter and lighthearted moments. My family always says, ‘Dan is always laughing about something!’ I’m a spiritual person who believes in something bigger than ourselves. I find peace and connection through meditation and playing the piano. Surrounded by amazing people and filled with gratitude, I approach life with positivity and an open heart.

My husband is the most loving and caring person I know. His gentle nature and warm presence brighten every room he walks into. He loves being outdoors, whether hiking in the woods or swimming in the ocean—it’s where he feels happiest. He’s deeply family-oriented and has a special bond with our nieces and nephews, who adore him. He’s also an incredible listener, always ready to support friends and family with thoughtful advice or simply by being there for them. I know he'll be the most amazing dad, bringing his kindness, love, and care into our future child's life.

A psychologist by training, nowadays working as a QA Tester in IT, I love playing games, watching animated shows, and geeking out over all kinds of fun things. I’m a classic nerd and shy on the surface, but once I get to know someone, my playful and goofy side quickly shines through. Music is a huge part of my life, whether I’m dancing, singing, or just humming some song. I grew up in a warm Brazilian-Italian family as the youngest sibling, with an older sister. While my childhood had moments of joy, it was also shaped by challenges, including losing my father in a car accident when I was just seven and facing bullying for being ‘different’ (I was chubby and “not masculine enough” for some people). Thanks to therapy and the incredible people in my life, I’ve grown into someone who feels proud of who I am and grateful for the love and support around me. Today, I embrace life with joy and authenticity, and I’m excited to share it with my future child.

He makes me laugh! I always tell him that I know I love him because he makes me feel so happy! Rick has brought me peace since the day we met. His calm, can-do attitude gives me confidence in our partnership and everything we have together. He’s incredibly compassionate, and I admire his deep care for others. One of the things that touches my heart the most is watching him interact with animals—his love and affection for them is just as genuine as the care he shows for people.

What we love most about the San Francisco Bay is its incredible diversity—so many different backgrounds, nationalities, cultures, and experiences all coming together. Living in San Mateo gives us the best of both worlds: we're close to nature and the city. In just 20 minutes, we can explore the vibrant streets of San Francisco or head out for breathtaking hikes in the forest. We have family in Brazil and Australia that we visit often! We cherish our regular visits to family in Brazil and Australia, where we love spending extended vacations. This means our future child will have the opportunity to experience a rich blend of cultures, languages, and traditions while bonding with family and playing with their cousins. We’re so excited to give them a world filled with connection and adventure!

Our extended family is spread across the U.S., Brazil, and Australia, but distance doesn’t stop us from staying close. Family is incredibly important to us, and we make a strong effort to stay connected, talking weekly and gathering as often as possible. We’re intentional about celebrating special moments together, whether it’s holidays, birthdays, or other meaningful occasions. Our family members are loving, open-minded, and wholeheartedly supportive of our adoption journey—they’re just as excited as we are to welcome a new child into the family! As “the cool uncles,” we cherish our time with our nieces and nephews, whether we’re playing games, riding bikes, or having fun at the park. We can’t wait for our future child to meet with their cousins, share in these adventures, and create lifelong bonds with our wonderful family.

We believe in creating a home filled with love, care, and warmth—values we hope to pass on to our future child. With our unconditional love and guidance as parents, we will ensure our future child always feels cherished, supported, and surrounded by care every step of the way.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking time to get to know us. We are deeply honored and grateful that you’re considering us as part of this incredible journey. We’re always here to talk, answer any questions, and learn more about you as we discuss plans for the future. We promise to surround your child with unconditional love and to ensure they always know how deeply wanted and cherished they are. Our commitment is to give them every opportunity within our reach and raise them in a home filled with family values, respect for others, and a strong sense of confidence and self-belief.