Our Story
Just two weeks into the COVID pandemic, we met on an app and started chatting.
We both quickly recognized that this was something special and began spending hours together on FaceTime until our very first date — a social distance walk through our neighborhood! Only a few hours later, we reconnected and drove around the city together. Dating in the pandemic made us find creative ways to get to know each other and established the foundation of our relationship through open communication. Fast forward a few months and we were moving in together into our first condo in the Edgewater area of Chicago.
After a few more years of living in Edgewater and adopting our second dog, Gilbert, we got engaged in January of 2024. We got married in April of 2024 and bought a home on the South Side in September 2024.
All along the way, we discussed the future of our family — and continued to come to the conclusion that adoption was something we would like to do together! We are so thankful to have this chance to share our story with you.
Alexander: From Derek’s Perspective
Alexander is extremely kind and thoughtful. He would do anything for anyone, and is always looking out for those who may not have a voice. Recently, he helped a little boy reconnect with his caregiver at a grocery store. It didn’t matter that the boy wasn’t his — he wanted to make sure he was safe. And that’s how he makes me feel: Safe and cared for.
He will be such a wonderful dad to your child just like he has been a wonderful partner to me and dog dad to our pups. He will put all of his energy into making sure they feel safe and cared for.
Derek: From Alexander’s Perspective
It sounds cliche but Derek is genuinely one of the best human beings I’ve ever met. From the minute I met him, I knew that his patience, goofy sense of humor, work ethic and playfulness would make him a great Dad. Thankfully, I’ve had the opportunity to watch him give so much love and respect to his entire family, but particularly his Mom and his late Gramma. The thing I value most about Derek is his ability to stay calm under pressure and his ability to communicate openly — even when it’s difficult.
While I never had the chance to meet his Dad, David, I am certain that if David were around today, he would be unbelievably proud of Derek for the person he is. I cannot wait to watch Derek become a dad as well!
Our Thoughts on Open Adoption
We strongly believe in open adoption and want your child to have a connection with their birth family. We also want your child to have a strong tie to their culture — whatever that may be. We plan to have strong cultural role models in their life.
We also know that an open adoption will be a journey and we will always follow your lead. We hope for open lines of communication through texts, emails, phone calls and for future visits with our family. We hope you can celebrate your child’s milestones with us.
We will always ensure your child knows who you are and how much you love them. We look forward to finding ways to celebrate your traditions and special moments as a part of their life.
Our Home
We live in the beautiful Bronzeville neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. This historic neighborhood is close to the lakefront, near Washington Park, University of Chicago’s campus and the brand-new Obama Presidential Library!
We’re very lucky to have a single-family home that has a backyard, which our dogs love too! We’ve worked to make this house our home through small changes with the help of Derek’s mom and her partner. Derek cares for the yard and Alexander cares for the plants.
