Earl has been singing ever since he can remember. Our house is always filled with music. Since 2015, Earl has been singing in a gay men's chorus that runs 12 youth programs a year. He goes into schools to teach about bullying and gender diversity. Earl has seen the transformation that music has brought to schools. He hopes to be an active volunteer in our child's school.

In addition to his community involvement, Earl is a Product Design Manager at a major tech company, where he leads teams to make smartphones accessible for low vision, blind, deaf, and motor impaired users. His work directly impacts the lives of those facing unique challenges in accessing technology, contributing to a more inclusive digital world. Earl extends his passion for design and mentorship as a teacher and advisor at UC Berkeley, where he guides aspiring product designers.

Max is a private psychotherapist working with gay men and individuals overcoming childhood trauma. He also dedicates a significant portion of his time nurturing and fostering a thriving community of therapists in the vibrant Bay Area as a consultant to therapists. Things outside of work he enjoys include running, cuddling with our dog Fozzy, spending quality time with Earl, listening to podcasts about sports, watching clips from Drag Race, working out while listening to albums he has not heard before, viewing thought-provoking TV shows and films, hiking, playing Super Mario and Legend of Zelda, and reading non-fiction and graphic novels.

Our child will have the opportunity to obtain Canadian citizenship and learn a second language, just like Earl did. Earl's cultural heritage is deeply rooted in his upbringing in Montreal, Canada, where he learned to speak French. Although English is Earl's first language, French is also his native tongue. Growing up in Canada, Earl was exposed to many cultures and languages that have influenced his perspective. We recognize the immense value and benefits that come with being bilingual or multilingual. Earl's experience growing up in Montreal and learning to speak French not only enriched his heritage but also broadened his horizons and opened doors to new opportunities.

We were both raised Jewish and continue to proudly uphold Jewish values and traditions. Our cherished values include loving kindness, integrity, respect, and lifelong learning. Although we do not consider ourselves religious by any means, we continue to uphold traditions including Hanukkah and Passover. We envision our child going to Sunday school, not so much for the religious aspect, but more for the aspects of community, values, friendships and tradition.

Growing up, those experiences were overwhelmingly positive for us and important in who we've become today as individuals. We know that our child may not resonate with everything that is taught in Sunday school. We will nurture and encourage them to be true to themselves and decide for themselves what affiliation of Judaism, if any, feels right to them.

Our dog Fozzy means the world to us. In a sense, it already feels like we have a first child. We are so bonded to him that we can tell just by his type of bark, body language, and facial expressions how he feels and what he's asking us for. We like to believe he takes after us in being so friendly and welcoming to all visitors, including other dogs and kids.

Earl got Fozzy when he was only a few weeks old and has brought him all over Eastern Canada to Northern California. We take Fozzy on all our road trips. It is such a joy to see his excitement when visiting the snow covered mountains of Tahoe, the shores of the Pacific Ocean, and the woods of the Russian River. Fozzy's favorite kind of trip is where he gets to frolic off leash on the beach, splash in the water, and roll around in the sand. We love it when he gets muddy - a sign he is having fun. One of our favorite things is to cuddle with Fozzy in bed. He brightens up our days with his silly and loving personality. He is great around kids, often licking their faces.

Fozzy was diagnosed a few years ago with Addison's Disease. We were fortunate to catch it early on when it was treatable because we take him in for regular checkups including bloodwork. Having a dog with special needs has further prepared us as parents to a new child.

We live in a 4-bedroom, 3-bath home in a forest-covered hillside neighborhood in Northern California. Our small neighborhood is known for its tree-lined streets, which attracts families with kids. We bought our home keeping in mind with creating a family. The front yard sports a kids playhouse that looks like a miniature version of our home. Our niece loves playing in the playhouse!

We're located within walking distance of two public elementary schools, both of which are highly regarded. There is a cute village of stores and restaurants all within walking distance. The village has everything a family would need: grocery stores, a farmer's market, barbers, cafes, a swim club - you name it! A park is located next to the village that has a playground, baseball fields, basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts. The library down the street hosts a number of kid-friendly events. We cannot wait to bring our child to the village for a fun day!

We proudly co-parent an 11 year old Airedale Terrier dog named Fozzy. He lights up our life with his playful, loving, and loyal attitude. We have so many favorite places to hang out in our home with him. During meals, in the dining room, we 're lucky to gaze out at the trees on the hillside. During the winter, we spend time downstairs in the "Great Room", lit by a skylight and warmed by a fireplace. During the summer, we love being downstairs on our large deck, throwing many family BBQs.

The first thing you should know is that we are extremely close to our families.

Max's family includes his mother, father, step-mother, step-siblings, and niece. They live nearby and are very excited to welcome a new member to the family. Earl's family lives in Canada. His immediate family includes his parents, brother, and sister-in-law. They visit four times a year. They are ecstatic to have a new family member to visit, play with, and love.

Our favorite time of the year is Hanukkah. We have taken up the tradition of hosting a large gathering where both sides of the family and extended family get together for a day of eating and celebrating. It is a potluck of sorts, where traditional Hanukkah and Jewish food is prepared including bagel and lox, gelt (chocolate coins), and potato latkes.

Our decision to adopt has been overwhelmingly positive from our families and chosen family. They have all already expressed eagerness to welcome our adopted child into their lives. We have no doubt that their presence and support will be invaluable in creating a nurturing, diverse and inclusive environment.

First and foremost, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for taking the time to read about our lives and consider us as potential adoptive parents for your beloved child. We admire you for considering adoption as an option to give your child the best possible life.

We want to share our story, our dreams, and our heartfelt wishes for your child. We believe that the love, care, and joy we can provide are boundless, and we are excited about the possibility of an open adoption that includes you and, most importantly, your child at the center of it all.

First and foremost, we want to emphasize our commitment to maintaining an ongoing relationship with you. We understand the significance of having a connection with the birth family in an open adoption. It's important to us that your child knows their roots and is surrounded by love from all sides. We want to ensure that your child grows up knowing they are cherished by both their biological and adoptive families.

As we embark on the journey of parenting, we want to be completely transparent about how we will tell your child their adoption story. We believe in being transparent. From the very beginning, we will introduce the concept of adoption to them, making sure they understand it as a beautiful, unique, and cherished part of their life story. We will answer their questions honestly and encourage them to embrace their heritage and history. We believe that open conversations about their adoption will help them feel secure, loved, and valued.

Looking forward to the future, we imagine a life filled with love, laughter, and exciting adventures. We can't wait to explore the world with a child and show them the wonders it has to offer. From family trips, to Earl's home country of Canada, to sunny beach vacations, we are excited to create lasting memories that a child will hold dearly forever. We'll explore museums, parks, cultural festivals, zoos, bookstores, markets, performances and savor delicious ice cream on lazy Sunday afternoons.

Being same-sex parents, we are proud of the unique perspectives and experiences we can bring. Our love knows no boundaries, and our shared values of respect, empathy, and acceptance will be instilled in everything we do. We believe that diversity is a beautiful thing, and we are committed to teaching a child the importance of embracing differences and celebrating individuality.

Our relationship is unique, filled with love, mutual respect, and unwavering support for one another. Max is the adventurous spirit who loves to explore the great outdoors and plan family vacations. Earl is the calm, creative, steady force who brings warmth, compassion, and organization into our lives. We balance each other beautifully, and our bond is unbreakable. We have dreamt of becoming parents together for years, and your child will be the centerpiece of our dreams coming true.

To stay connected, we'd love to exchange emails, phone calls, and yearly in-person visits. We want to ensure that you are part of your child's life. We will regularly send you letters and pictures to keep you updated on their growth, achievements, and the heartfelt moments we share. We believe that an extended family network is a source of strength and love for a child, and we are excited about the possibility of building that together.

Thank you again for considering us as potential adoptive parents for your child. We would be honored to welcome your child into our hearts and our home. We look forward to the possibility of sharing this incredible journey with you, creating a brighter and more loving future.

With warmth and gratitude,

Earl & Max