Nothing made Dave happier as a kid than hanging out with his grandpap—the ultimate fixer-upper who could bring anything back to life, from broken toys to rusty cars. Those moments weren't just about fixing stuff; they were about patience, connection, and the joy of getting your hands dirty. Today, you'll find Dave in the garage, tinkering with our classic dune buggy—ready to cruise the neighborhood or shine at car shows. Dave's dad introduced him to golf early on. His swing? Half brilliant, half unpredictable—like a surprise party with clubs. They still love hitting the course and have even caught a few live PGA events. He looks forward to sharing the game—and some sand traps—with our future kiddo.

Dominique doesn't eat to live—she lives to eat. Food is her love language and second only to binge-reading novels. She's always trying new restaurants or cooking up experiments for friends and family—taste testers welcome, no refunds! Like her mom before her, Dominique believes stories open doors to new worlds, and she can't wait to build a kids' library full of tales that spark giggles and the classic "just one more chapter" bedtime standoff.

Exploring new places is our favorite way to break the routine, even if we get a little lost on purpose. We can't wait to see the world through our child's eyes—full of wonder, giggles, and joyful messes. After all, the best memories aren't flawless—they're the ones you laugh about for years.

We've dreamed of having kids for as long as we can remember—honestly, it was one of our first "deep talks" on those early dates. Fast forward a few years, and after some fertility tests, we found out that natural conception wasn't in the cards for us. We gave IVF a good shot (more needles than we ever imagined!), but ultimately realized our hearts were too big not to share—so we decided to grow our family through adoption. While we always planned to adopt at least one child, infertility gently shifted our journey, and now we're open to welcoming our children through adoption, however that may look for our family.

Adoption runs in our family, too. Dave's dad was adopted as a baby, but it was a closed adoption—so he never got the scoop on his biological roots or medical history. That's something he's wished for and it's why we're so committed to open adoption—giving our kids both love and a window into their story.

We don't just have pets—we share our home with two four-legged comedians who keep us laughing, loving, and lint-rolling every day.

First up: Callie, our golden retriever and resident goofball. She's basically a 60-pound toddler in a golden fur coat—equal parts snuggly, slobbery, and spectacularly dramatic. She sings (off-key, but yes—she sings!) when she's excited, sits like a human, and licks anything that holds still for too long. She's a huge fan of kids, snacks, and attention—preferably all at once.

Then there's Zoey—our pint-sized feline overlord and part-time ninja. She joined the family during the early pandemic after her previous humans had to rehome her, and she immediately promoted herself to CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer). Zoey opens cabinets, knocks things off counters like she's starring in a production, and always looks innocent while trying to frame Callie for her crime. She's clever, sassy, and firmly believes she's the main character.

Together, Callie and Zoey are the perfect pair of furry sidekicks—equal parts cuddles and chaos. They remind us every day that love comes in all shapes and sizes, sometimes with paws and whiskers and plenty of mischief. We know they'll be the best four-pawed siblings: cleaning up snack crumbs, stealing the spotlight in family photos, and curling up for story time, ready to welcome a new little human into their pack.

Picture this: weekend morning. The sun peeks through the windows, you've got a hot cup of coffee, and a cozy spot in the sunroom. The pets are glued to the window like they're binge-watching Squirrel Drama: Season 7. The sports channel hums softly in the background—ambiance, right?

Step outside and BAM—wagging tails, neighbors waving like it's a parade, and kids zooming by on scooters in pajamas (safety first…ish). With over 50 kids in the neighborhood, boredom is impossible. Easter egg hunts that turn into wild bush-diving, summer block parties with water balloon wars, and the grand finale? Santa arriving on a fire truck every winter keeps things magical.

Our 90,000 sqft community center has three pools, blue water slides (because we're fancy like that), playgrounds for burning energy (hopefully not wrestling), and walking trails for those welcome healthy moments.

Need a change of pace? Pittsburgh is just 20 minutes away. Pro tip: riding the train with Dave's dad—who helped build the line—is like a backstage pass to history. Pittsburgh's small-town charm with big-city perks is perfect. We can't wait to wave those yellow "Terrible Towels" at games with our kids—while probably spilling nacho cheese on ourselves. It's just part of the experience.

Dave's family is like Disneyland—fewer lines, way more golden retrievers (six, to be exact). Everyone's welcome, snacks are endless, and no one blinks when a dog steals your sandwich. With Dave's sister close by, there's always a furry "grandkid" or two running around.

Sundays mean brunch—deck or dining room, your call. Raid the fridge or nap on the couch, no judgment. Dave's dad (aka Notorious B.D.—Big Dave) mans the grill while his mom flips French toast. Someone's always shouting, "Help yourself!" even if it's your first visit.

No strangers here—just people who haven't been licked yet. It's warm, wild, and full of love. Future grandkids are already on the list (right after "more dogs").

Dominique's family is loud, loving, and party-ready—planned or not. Though scattered, reunions feel like no time's passed (and volume control never existed). Old friends are family and never miss a chance to gather.

Holiday gatherings mix tradition and freestyle—you haven't truly celebrated Christmas until you've been roped into Dominique's mom's annual photo—bonus points for coordinated outfits, double if everyone's looking.

Together, our families are our foundation. We're excited to grow through adoption—surrounded by love, laughter, snacks, and way too many photos.

Hey there!

We don't know each other yet, but here we are—two strangers already sending love your way. We're Dave and Dominique, and while life may have brought us here in unexpected ways, we know you're reading this because of the incredible love you have for your child. We're hoping, somehow, we can be part of this beautiful story you're writing. And hey, who knows, maybe we are the surprise plot twist you didn't see coming!

A wee bit about us—our adventure began with a simple online message—two people searching for someone to share life's highs, lows, and all the "did that really just happen?" moments. Our journey hasn't always gone according to plan, but we've embraced every bump along the way. Life has taught us that sometimes, the path you plan isn't the one you take. And that's okay! After years of infertility, we've learned that even in the hardest times, hope finds a way. It's hope that fills us now, as we open our hearts and home to growing our family through adoption.

Dave's dad was adopted as an infant, so adoption has always been part of who we are. To us, adoption isn't just a way to build a family—it's a gift. A bond built on trust, love, and the deep understanding that family isn't just about blood, but about who shows up, who loves unconditionally, and who chooses you every day.

Dave comes from a family of engineers who firmly believe nothing is truly broken—just in need of TLC, a fresh perspective, and maybe a creative fix. Dave and his dad have already started brainstorming ways to teach our child(ren) sports—plus, how to make their toys 10% cooler with "engineering" skills. His mom, a former pediatric nurse, is counting the days until she can spoil her future grandchild(ren) with hugs, treats, and love that fills a house. Their aunt Kristi, a veterinarian, is planning playdates with an army of adorable (and occasionally drooly) furry cousins.

Dominique, a nurse with a big heart, has spent her career helping people feel better, and now she's ready to turn that love toward our future children. Dominique's family may be spread out, but they're just as supportive and excited. She has two brothers, and a niece and nephew who already have "future playdate buddies" written all over them. Dominique's mom was a preschool teacher in Germany and came to the United States as an au pair in her early 20s. She's now eagerly practicing her multilingual skills—because who doesn't want to hear a grandchild say "please" and "thank you" in two languages? Expect lots of giggles and a few mispronunciations—that's half the fun!

Raising children has always been our dream, and we can't wait to build a home where love and laughter fill every room—even the "oops" moments, because let's be honest—no family is complete without a little chaos. While we dream of exploring the world together, it's the quiet moments that call to us most—the gentle, everyday moments that become the heartbeat of a home. The warmth of a dinner table surrounded by family, the crackling fireplace on a cold night, the soft glow of a movie playing in the background, and most of all, the peace of simply being together. It's those little things—the everyday stuff—that we believe makes life truly meaningful.

And we want you to know, that we are not just excited to welcome your child into our lives—we are in awe of the love you have for them. This journey is as much about honoring your feelings as it is about building a future for your child. We want to honor your love, your strength, and the courage it takes to consider all the possibilities for your child's future—every step of the way.

We know we can't fully capture who we are in a letter. But we hope you've gotten a sense of the love, joy, and dedication we have to offer. If adoption feels like the right path for you, we'd be honored to be part of your story. If you're comfortable, we'd be happy to get to know you better through letters, emails, texts, or even a phone call—whatever feels best.

Thank you for considering us!

Dave & Dominique