We have had pets our entire lives. We don’t consider them pets; we consider them our family. The companionship and unconditional love that comes with a pet is something that brings us the most joy. Chase has had dogs his whole life and attended a service dog training academy with his sister who has Cerebral Palsy. Her service dog Rocky had a huge influence on his family life while growing up. We currently have an Irish Setter puppy named Nora. She is such a sweetheart and loves absolutely everyone. She's playful and loves to cuddle.

We also have a min pin named Dash. He is 16 years old and super affectionate and always hungry. Dan has always had an aquarium growing up. It was a hobby that he had with his father. We have a nice saltwater aquarium in our living room with beautiful fish. Whenever we have kids over, they go straight to the aquarium and become mesmerized. We also have a small bird that doesn't talk, but sure makes a lot of noise, especially when he sees us snacking on chips. We have also had chickens in the past and we really miss those fresh eggs.

We have always enjoyed traveling and have had some exciting adventures over the years.

Our first trip together was to Cancun, Mexico were we stayed at an all-inclusive resort with Dan's sister. We went snorkeling and zip lining. After we got married, we had our honeymoon in New Zealand where we hiked mountains and scaled waterfalls. Dan is scared of heights, but he was able to conquer his fears on this trip. Most recently, we traveled to South Africa. We spent one week exploring the culture and history of Africa, and another week on safari, viewing the animals in their natural habitat.

Some of our greatest adventures have happened at our cabin. Our cabin is only a 5 hour drive from Los Angeles. When we are there, we like to drive our snowmobile and ATV throughout the mountain. We have encountered wild horses and donkeys. We have also witnessed meteor showers and seen stars and planets that can't be seen in a bright city like Los Angeles.

Los Angeles has been a convenient location for adventure. We have beaches, mountains, and deserts all close by. We enjoy off-roading and have been able to do this at many of the nearby national parks including Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Sequoia. We have also visited the nearby cities of San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and San Diego.

We see many strengths in each other.

Chase’s strength is being logical and rational. He is able to pause and think about the situation at hand before making a decision on how to move forward. He is also very creative. He sews and paints and knows how to make something out of nothing. He has made Halloween costumes for himself and the dogs. Chase has a caring personality that suits him well as he works as a nurse with cancer patients. He is a great listener and often knows the right thing to say in the hardest of times.

Dan’s strength is his charm and sense of humor. He has officiated weddings, given eulogies, and made speeches in front of hundreds of people and is extremely good at it. He is very articulate and is not afraid to speak to people, whether it be one person or one thousand people. He can also make anyone laugh, which is a quality he gets from his father.

Although our personalities sometimes seem quite opposite, we balance each other out in the best way.

Family has always been a major part of our lives. Dan is the oldest of 7. He is closest with his sister Lauren who is a hairstylist in Philly. Dan's parents also live in Philly. Chase has an older sister Courtney who lives only a few miles from our house. Chase's parents live in Las Vegas, but have a beach house in California. Our families have been very supportive during this adoption process and are excited to be a part of our journey. We spend most holidays with Chase's large extended family. The family gatherings usually have 40+ people including kids of all ages. Over the past 3 years we have remodeled our home, making it a great space for entertaining. We have hosted game nights, murder mystery parties, and our work holiday parties complete with karaoke. This year we hosted a huge Thanksgiving dinner.

When we aren't spending time with our human family, we enjoy caring for our animals. We currently have dogs, a bird, and fish. Chase enjoys running with our dogs and has been working on obedience training. Our pets are like our children and we treat them as such.

We live in a very safe neighborhood in Long Beach, California. The neighborhood is bordered by a Country Club and golf course to the North, and the Los Angeles river to the West. There is a beautiful park with a playground and tennis courts only 2 blocks from our home. During the summers, there is live music in the park on Wednesdays. The park also has an outdoor movie night once a month. A top rated elementary school sits right next to the park. During the holidays, almost every house puts up lights and decorations. It's also a perfect neighborhood for trick-or-treating. The neighborhood has many young families with little kids. Our next-door neighbors are a young couple with 2 really nice kids. We are actually one of the few families on our street that does not have any children.

We have spent the past few years remodeling our house. It has an open floorplan with lots of natural light. We have 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and plenty of outdoor space that is completely fenced in. We also have a 2-car garage that we built an apartment on top of so that when guests come, like Dan’s family from Pennsylvania, they have somewhere private to stay.

Our journey begins with you! Thank you so much for considering the adoption process and offering us the opportunity to welcome a child into our family. Over the years, we have dedicated ourselves to creating a secure and supportive home environment where a child can thrive. We are committed to providing this child with abundant opportunities and ensuring they grow up in a nurturing household that fosters both safety and love. Our goal is for this child to always feel secure, without experiencing instability or uncertainty regarding their basic needs or living arrangements. We are confident that our family would be well suited to support any child in need.

We are so grateful that you are open to your child being raised by two fathers. We recognize that this aspect of our family may be viewed as unconventional, but we firmly believe that loving families take many forms. Our partnership began as a friendship in 2007, developed into a relationship in 2009. We formalized our long standing relationship through marriage in 2019. Embracing our differences has shaped our values, and we will encourage this child to think independently and compassionately. We prioritize respect for individual beliefs and foster an atmosphere of tolerance and kindness.

We acknowledge that children inevitably face challenges and criticisms as they grow. It is essential that they learn to navigate difficulties confidently and with emotional maturity. Being adopted and having two dads will require some explanation on our part. We promise to do so honestly and respectfully. We will let the child know how brave and generous you are and that they were loved from the very beginning. As they grow up, we will continue to accept this child into our lives with open arms, ready to address whatever is to come.

We intend to teach this child resilience while promoting self-respect and composure. An active lifestyle and participation in team activities will be encouraged to support both personal development and overall well-being. Through these experiences, this child will gain skills in teamwork, trust, sportsmanship, and understanding that success extends beyond competition alone. It teaches valuable lessons applicable throughout life.

While structure is fundamental to a child’s upbringing, we also recognize the importance of flexibility. Balancing consistency with adaptability allows us to respond effectively to our child's unique and evolving needs. We understand that parenting often requires the ability to approach situations with an open mind, and insights from our family and friends have been instrumental in shaping our perspective.

Family holds significant meaning in our lives. Both of us come from large, blended families, where gatherings are frequent and inclusive of children of all ages. This child will benefit from a strong network of extended family, ensuring companionship and support as they grow.

We sincerely hope you consider us as potential parents for your child. Although our circumstances may be viewed as nontraditional, we do share core values that resonate with many families. We intend to stay in contact after the adoption via letters, photos, sending art projects, and we are open to in-person visits. This of course is a decision that will be made while taking into consideration what you want as well. We promise to create a loving, safe environment in which this child can express themself freely, pursue their ambitions, and provide access to the resources needed for a successful future.

Chase & Dan