Mike and Jack
Dear Birth Mother,
Thank you for taking the time to learn about us! We understand that this is a difficult decision and that you are giving tremendous thought to your next steps. Although this is the first time we are adopting, we have friends and family who have adopted – or were adopted – and have learned so much from their experiences. We are grateful to be considered and we’re so excited for this journey.
Dear Birth Mother,
Thank you for taking the time to learn about us! We understand that this is a difficult decision and that you are giving tremendous thought to your next steps. Although this is the first time we are adopting, we have friends and family who have adopted – or were adopted – and have learned so much from their experiences. We are grateful to be considered and we’re so excited for this journey.
Our Story
We met in 2018 and had our first date at a small cafe in a Korean grocery store in Chicago. We had an instant connection and talked for hours about everything that night – including both of our desires to be parents one day. We knew that what we had was special and our relationship developed quickly. We moved in together within a few months and started talking about the future – marriage and kids included. We found that our ethics and morals matched up perfectly. We have similar views on finances, social responsibilities and what it means to be a good person. In 2021, we got married in a small ceremony in our backyard, surrounded by the people who we love the most in the world.
Our Story
We met in 2018 and had our first date at a small cafe in a Korean grocery store in Chicago. We had an instant connection and talked for hours about everything that night – including both of our desires to be parents one day. We knew that what we had was special and our relationship developed quickly. We moved in together within a few months and started talking about the future – marriage and kids included. We found that our ethics and morals matched up perfectly. We have similar views on finances, social responsibilities and what it means to be a good person. In 2021, we got married in a small ceremony in our backyard, surrounded by the people who we love the most in the world.
About Mike
I grew up in South Florida and lived there until I left for college at the University of Florida. My younger sister, Tara, and I had a great childhood. Some of my favorite childhood memories are pool parties with our large extended family, trips on our grandfather’s sailboat, and of course, hanging out at Florida’s beaches! After college, I moved to the Midwest and I now work in a management role for a large restaurant company based in Chicago. When I have free time, I love playing with our beagle, Tigo, hanging out with our family in Chicago and traveling the world with Jack. Cooking – and baking – has always been a big part of our life at home and I’m so excited to have another little chef by my side!
About Mike
I grew up in South Florida and lived there until I left for college at the University of Florida. My younger sister, Tara, and I had a great childhood. Some of my favorite childhood memories are pool parties with our large extended family, trips on our grandfather’s sailboat, and of course, hanging out at Florida’s beaches! After college, I moved to the Midwest and I now work in a management role for a large restaurant company based in Chicago. When I have free time, I love playing with our beagle, Tigo, hanging out with our family in Chicago and traveling the world with Jack. Cooking – and baking – has always been a big part of our life at home and I’m so excited to have another little chef by my side!
About Jack
I grew up in Portland, Oregon, with my brother, sister, and parents. My parents are from China, so we grew up in a bilingual household. Every year, we do a big family roast for Christmas and homemade dumplings to celebrate Chinese New Year. After graduating college, I moved to Chicago where my sister and parents reside. I currently work from home as a technology consultant for a software company. In my free time, I like spending time with family, especially our nephews in the city. We like baking and going to museums and the zoo together. I’ve traveled to more than 20 countries and love learning about different cultures and food. I also like distance running, learning to do home improvement projects, and binge-watching Netflix shows. I am also very involved in non-profit work within the community, serving as a volunteer and a board member for several organizations that focus on socioeconomic well-being and financial literacy.
About Jack
I grew up in Portland, Oregon, with my brother, sister, and parents. My parents are from China, so we grew up in a bilingual household. Every year, we do a big family roast for Christmas and homemade dumplings to celebrate Chinese New Year. After graduating college, I moved to Chicago where my sister and parents reside. I currently work from home as a technology consultant for a software company. In my free time, I like spending time with family, especially our nephews in the city. We like baking and going to museums and the zoo together. I’ve traveled to more than 20 countries and love learning about different cultures and food. I also like distance running, learning to do home improvement projects, and binge-watching Netflix shows. I am also very involved in non-profit work within the community, serving as a volunteer and a board member for several organizations that focus on socioeconomic well-being and financial literacy.
About Tigo
Our beagle, Tigo, is the sweetest boy in the world. He’s always happy, very inquisitive, and the funniest dog we’ve ever met. He makes us laugh every day doing silly dog things! Tigo is great with people and so gentle with kids – he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. All the neighborhood kids love to pet him and rub his belly when they see him. He is going to make a great big brother!
About Tigo
Our beagle, Tigo, is the sweetest boy in the world. He’s always happy, very inquisitive, and the funniest dog we’ve ever met. He makes us laugh every day doing silly dog things! Tigo is great with people and so gentle with kids – he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. All the neighborhood kids love to pet him and rub his belly when they see him. He is going to make a great big brother!
Our Home and Neighborhood
We own a home in Chicago. We live on the top two floors of the building, and below us we have a rental unit that is occupied by our friends, Jeff and Courtney, their sweet dog, Izzy, and soon-to-be baby June this spring. A downstairs playmate would be so much fun! We have a large backyard with a vegetable and herb garden that we plant every spring. We also like to host family gatherings and movie nights with bonfires during the summer.
Our neighborhood has a lot of diversity with many young families on our street. We have walking trails and one of Chicago’s most beautiful parks, Humboldt Park, a few blocks from our house. There are also many smaller parks and playgrounds nearby, including one directly behind our house. We love walking our dog to the park or on the nearby trail and exploring the different nearby neighborhoods.
Our Friends/Family
We have a strong support system in Chicago. Jack’s sister lives just a few miles away with her husband, Jon, and our nephews Silas and Zack. Jack’s mom and dad also live in Chicago and regularly babysit their grandchildren. Most of Mike’s family lives in Florida, but we always make time to visit them at least a few times a year. Mike’s cousin, Lillias, lives in Chicago and we often spend time with her and her partner, Neil. Adoption has always been a big part of Mike’s family – his father was adopted, as well as his sister’s daughter and his cousin, Lillias. Our entire family and friend group is large and diverse and they’re all excited to pitch in to help us on this journey.
Our Friends/Family
We have a strong support system in Chicago. Jack’s sister lives just a few miles away with her husband, Jon, and our nephews Silas and Zack. Jack’s mom and dad also live in Chicago and regularly babysit their grandchildren. Most of Mike’s family lives in Florida, but we always make time to visit them at least a few times a year. Mike’s cousin, Lillias, lives in Chicago and we often spend time with her and her partner, Neil. Adoption has always been a big part of Mike’s family – his father was adopted, as well as his sister’s daughter and his cousin, Lillias. Our entire family and friend group is large and diverse and they’re all excited to pitch in to help us on this journey.
Our Travels
Combined, we’ve been to more than 40 different countries on five different continents. Traveling has always been a big part of our lives together and we always do everything we can to immerse ourselves in the local culture and customs of the places we’re visiting. We’ve sandboarded in Peru, ridden camels in Morocco, explored palaces in France and temples in Tokyo – we’re excited to travel the world with a little adventurer by our side!
Our Travels
Combined, we’ve been to more than 40 different countries on five different continents. Traveling has always been a big part of our lives together and we always do everything we can to immerse ourselves in the local culture and customs of the places we’re visiting. We’ve sandboarded in Peru, ridden camels in Morocco, explored palaces in France and temples in Tokyo – we’re excited to travel the world with a little adventurer by our side!
In Closing
Our promise to you is that we will spend every day doing all that we can to provide all the opportunities and resources your child needs to be happy, healthy, and loved unconditionally. We will focus on providing all the educational opportunities that we can. We will create an environment where your child will experience a diverse cultural upbringing and get opportunities to travel the world. We’re committed to open communication, if that is something you choose.
You may email us directly at JackandMikeACFB@gmail.com or contact our adoption counselor Linda Fiore by texting/calling (773-919-5702), or e-mail (Linda@centerforfamily.com).
With Gratitude,
Jack and Mike
In Closing
Our promise to you is that we will spend every day doing all that we can to provide all the opportunities and resources your child needs to be happy, healthy, and loved unconditionally. We will focus on providing all the educational opportunities that we can. We will create an environment where your child will experience a diverse cultural upbringing and get opportunities to travel the world. We’re committed to open communication, if that is something you choose.
You may email us directly at JackandMikeACFB@gmail.com or contact our adoption counselor Linda Fiore by texting/calling (773-919-5702), or e-mail (Linda@centerforfamily.com).
