Ethnicity: Jack is of Chinese descent and born in the US. Mike is Caucasian (Italian/German descent) and born in the US.
Education: Jack has a B.A. in Economics from Kenyon College, and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Mike has a B.S. in Communications/Journalism from the University of Florida.
Professions: Jack is a consultant at a tech company. Mike is an operations manager for a restaurant group based in Chicago.
When did you meet and month/year of marriage: We started dating November 2018 and got married in October 2021.
Religion: We are both non-religious, but Mike was raised Catholic. We also have family members who are practicing Catholics.
Information on your home/community: We own a duplex in the city and live in one unit. Our quiet street is close to restaurants, shops, parks, and trails within walking distance. Our neighborhood is diverse and welcoming.
Number of children: None yet!
Pets: A one-year-old golden retriever named Bowie. He has graduated from advanced training and will begin to train as a therapy dog.
Desired contact with a birth family: We very much support open adoption with birth parents, including sharing photos, coordinating visits, and updating on milestones.
In one sentence, why do you want to adopt a child? We want to adopt to start our family and provide a loving, supportive home for a child in need.
Childhood Memory: Large family gatherings for holidays and birthdays for grandparents; Sailing and fishing in the Caribbean with grandfather.
TV Show/Movie: The Office, Friends, Schitt’s Creek, How I Met Your Mother, Seinfeld, (Kids Movie) Wall-E, Ratatouille, Up (Movies) Goodfellas, Bridesmaids
Book: The Catcher in the Rye, Oliver Twist
Hobby: Jack: Running, volunteering; Mike: hiking with Bowie, gardening; Shared: traveling, cooking/baking
Food: French pastries, dumplings, roast dinners, homemade pastas, coffee, ice cream, tavern-style pizza
Vacation: Traveling abroad to new cities, hiking in wilderness, road trips. Our goal is to travel to all 7 continents.
Family Tradition: Christmas tree ornament exchange with each other; buying a piece of artwork from each new place we travel to; post-Thanksgiving movie with family.
Holiday Memory: Christmas Eve dinner and presents at grandma’s; Baking cookies, holiday movies, sledding and snow fights
Fun Facts: We have a bucket of world currency from 20+ countries that we keep meaning to spend — our excuse to go back to every single place we’ve ever loved.
