Maya and Justin

Hello, Our names are Maya and Justin. We are a happy and fun-loving couple that enjoys creating new experiences. We have been planning for this chapter of our lives and are excited to welcome a new family member into our home and hearts.

Adoption is a familiar concept to us and something we hold near and dear to our hearts as one of Justin’s brothers was adopted. We understand adoption is through love and we respect your consideration of this.

Thank you for familiarizing yourself with us. We hope our letter will help you determine if we are the right family to provide a loving and caring environment for your baby.

Our life togetherWe were introduced through a mutual friend on a summer night and quickly connected. We discovered we share several interests, including spending lots of time with family. We’ve grown to become best friends, soulmates, and lifelong teammates. Always listening to and respecting each other, and practicing patience so our love will grow stronger with each day.

During the initial stages of our journey, we discussed our parenting goals. Maya shared that she was unable to biologically have children, something she knew from a young age. Justin’s close bond with his adopted brother made it easy to embrace the idea of adoption, and we are both thrilled to adopt and become parents.

We’ve lived life to the fullest, taking advantage of every opportunity presented. Creating storybook experiences together, we dog sledded in Michigan, hiked the Great Wall of China, watched a live filming of Saturday Night Live, exchanged a kiss on the Eiffel Tower and camped under the stars in the Sahara desert. Though exploratory, we continue to date and spend quality time together by cuddling up and watching a movie, trying a new restaurant or laughing to one of our favorite shows, Friends.

Last summer Maya and I joined 11 family members in Texas to set our roots. Our suburban neighborhood is heavily shaded by trees, colored with parks and playgrounds filled with children, and is located in a top-rated school district. Our neighbors welcomed us with cookies and invited us to church. We were part of the community in no time. Our house is a two-story home

At one of our neighborhood parks

We’ve grown to become

best friends, soulmates, and

lifelong teammates

with a nursery attached to our bedroom. We have a calm and cuddly 13 year-old ragdoll cat named Boots and a sweet and energetic English bulldog puppy named Otter who is best friends with our 1 year-old niece.

We have created many experiences, but we now look forward to exploring the local adventures that will enrich our baby’s life. Visiting the local children’s museums, spending a day at the amusement park, or playing with cousins will be part of our weekly routine. Our days now consist of watching the children play at the neighborhood park and greet our dog as we meet neighborhood parents. We continue to imagine pushing our baby on the swings and riding down the slide with them and our hearts fill with joy at the thought; knowing one day our baby will be playing with the children in the park and our “fur baby” will be watching over.

We also see our love of travel coming full circle when our child is old enough to appreciate longer adventures. We enjoy family camping trips and love getting away from our routine by camping at one of the beautiful lakes nearby. There’s something special about the smell of a campfire, sleeping in a tent and waking up to a chilly, peaceful morning. All of these outdoor adventures will be even more exciting when we can watch the beauty of nature through our child’s eyes. Family reunions, fishing trips, and teaching our child how to make a s’more are some of the things that excite us most.

Holiday work party

Cheering on one of our favorite teams

Enjoying the outdoors

Enjoying a beautiful sunset

about MayaFrom day one, I have adored Maya and look forward to every minute we get to spend together. Whether it be a challenging day at work, or a friend going through a tough time, Maya has always lent a shoulder. She always finds ways to make me feel special, starting my day with hand-written notes by the sink or taking care of me when I’m not feeling well. I most admire Maya’s “feeler” qualities; on several occasions I have caught her tearing up and empathizing with television characters whenever something unfortunate occurs. It’s easy for me to imagine her soothing a teething baby, bandaging a skinned knee and making sure our child receives the warmth and care they need.

Maya was raised in a loving household and has an extremely strong relationship with her mother, keeping in touch every couple of days. Though very close with her mother, Maya was always a daddy’s girl and remained best friends with him until his passing. Maya was showered with ample care and affection. She was raised with strong morals, respect and care for others and these traits have formed her into the natural caregiver that she is today. Always looking to lead the next cancer walk team or donating her hair to Locks of Love, Maya’s selflessness is constantly on display.

Maya’s perseverance always amazes me. She recently finished her bachelor’s degree in psychology and is pursuing her dreams to be an elementary school teacher for special needs children, a job that fits her character nicely; always supporting the underdog and making sure everyone receives the respect they deserve. All at the same time, Maya is working part time as a marketing assistant for a realtor and is helping around the home. Even at this moment, Maya is constantly updating an adoption blog with the goal of helping families with their journey.

Aside from being the perfect fit for this admirable work, teaching will enable Maya to put motherhood at the forefront with a predictive schedule and ample time off during the summer. We are also fortunate to have an excited and happily retired grandmother-to-be. Maya’s mom is counting the days until she can be an important part of our child’s upbringing while we are at work and looks forward to making the perfect crocheted blanket for our baby.

Lucky for me, Maya is also an amazing cook. Never shy to portray her masterpieces on Instagram, Maya creates recipes inspired by a wide variety of dishes,

Strolling around Venice

including her favorite cuisine, sushi! Her dishes look…and are… so delicious that she was invited to compete on a Bobby Flay show on the Cooking Channel.

Maya is also a devoted baseball fan, something she shared growing up with her father. She has also become a passionate football fan over the years, always supporting our team and wearing their colors on game days.

I know Maya will be an ideal mother, serving as their #1 cheerleader and supporting in all areas. Our friends and family too have realized Maya’s qualities as she is the godmother of two of our nephews, one of our nieces and her best friend’s son. She holds this privilege and honor very serious and makes sure to appropriately spoil them with an occasional visit to Disneyland, the move theaters or an ice cream outing.

I know Maya will be an ideal

mother, serving as their

#1 cheerleader and supporting in all areas

Mastering chocolate soufflé

Discovering restaurants in Europe

Donating hair to charity

Camping weekend getaway

about JustinJustin comes from a large and welcoming family of three older brothers, one little sister, and high school sweetheart parents who have now been married for 45 years. Justin’s incredibly positive nature is inspiring and he is never one to take anything for granted. His determination allowed him to complete his MBA and excel at his job. For this reason, family, friends, and colleagues often go to Justin for advice. I am so proud of Justin for pursuing his dream career and seeing his determination pay off.

Justin is also a natural born leader who is always looking for ways to help out his neighbor. He has served as a student mentor during his MBA program, volunteered by teaching at the Covenant House, slept out on the streets of New York City to raise money for homeless and troubled teenagers and I’ve even seen him rescue a couple from drowning. His positive go-getter personality is a source of motivation.

I certainly admire the qualities Justin brings to our relationship, but it was the early discovery of his natural and joyous presence around children which made my heart pitter-patter; I knew someday he would make a great dad! Justin’s fatherly qualities shined at my godson’s birthday party while we were first dating. He loves entertaining children by teaching them new games and soon enough he had all the little ones at the party in fits of belly laughter.

Just as Justin’s dad showed him how to fish, Justin will teach our child to fish someday too. He is an incredible teacher and quite the handyman! He has begun teaching me fixer-upper things around the house as he is making our house a home. These are just a few things that he is great at, but there is so much more he is looking forward to sharing with our child someday. These traits helped me realize that this was the man of my dreams, the man I look forward to starting my family with.

Justin is also a natural born leader who is always looking for ways to help

out his neighbor

Hiking Antelope Valley

In terms of Justin’s interests, I would have to say that there is no end to the adventures he brings to our family. From kayaking along the coasts of the Channel Islands, getting caught in the rain at a chili cook-off, to signing us up for a 40-mile charity bike ride in NYC, we are never bored. While there have been many adventures outside of our hometown, he finds ways to make local things fun on a day-to-day basis. Hosting the occasional BBQ, inviting our nieces and nephews over for a pool party, or planting new vegetables and flowers in our garden are just some of the fun activities he finds.

With Justin’s intellect, dedication, humor, and leadership qualities, he has built a strong foundation for our family and it helps me feel safe and prepared for the next chapter of our lives.

Annual family fishing trip

Bathing Otter

Having fun at the museum

what we will offerour baby

We both look forward to the day we welcome a new family member. Providing a loving and supportive environment through our family and close neighborhood community, and ensuring growth and opportunity through education is of upmost importance.

Our family is large and many are a just short drive away. We are diverse and look forward to sharing our traditions, but also to educating our child on their unique cultural background.

We believe in raising our baby with Christian values and guidance based on the best interest of our baby. Parenting through love and compassion, while avoiding unnecessary and ineffective consequences, we will ensure a happy and wholesome upbringing.

Blessed with rewarding careers, Maya and I will offer strong and stable financial support and are positioned to provide our baby with the option to further their education through college. We want our child to pursue their dreams and achieve their highest potential.

Hanging with our nephew

Kentucky roadtrip with friends

thank you!We will be 100% open with our baby about their adoption. We know adoption is a blessing and a very beautiful thing that shouldn’t be hidden. Our baby will be informed of the love that you have shown. We will also expand our community of adoptive families, ensuring a comfortable environment for our child. Justin’s adopted brother will also offer guidance and support by sharing what he learned through adoption.

We are happy to share pictures, update letters and set up a private Facebook page that will fully inform you after the adoption. We know that your preferences may change over time, but would like the option of staying informed always available.

We welcome the opportunity for you to learn more about us or to arrange an initial phone call. In order to do so, please call Cindy (anytime) at A Loving Alternative (800) 556-5635.

Kindest Regards,

Maya and Justin

more of our life

Michigan football game with close friends

Local Christmas parade with our nieces

When in Rome with friends

Family Christmas

Sister's wedding

Spending time with my godson

Making frames for our home

Maya and her best friend

“We both look forward to the day we welcome

a new family member. Providing a

loving and supportive environment through our family and close neighborhood community,

and ensuring growth and opportunity through education

is of upmost importance.”