By Dane
Dane about Davinia: I admire Davinia's emotional intelligence, she has an instinctive way of making people feel seen and heard. She’s a steady, nurturing presence in my life, someone her family naturally turns to for support and reassurance. I love how she fully dives into the things that bring her joy, getting wrapped up in a sci-fi universe, lighting up watching hip hop dance choreography, or growing vegetables from seed to harvest. She has a lifelong affection for animals. She happily accepts biscuits from her two cats-in-law and stops to say hello to every dog we pass on our walks. She’s taught me the value of working through to-do lists and more structured plans and I think I'm helping her lean into a bit more spontaneity.

Davinia about Dane: What I love most about Dane is how he brings a sense of calm to our home. Even on stressful days, he makes everything feel steady again, often just by tidying up or lighting a homemade candle and sharing some Ferrero Rocher. Alongside that calm, he fills our home with laughter and excitement, always quick to find the joy in an ordinary moment. He’s never afraid to drop a movie quote I haven’t heard before, which often catches me off guard and makes me smile. His passion for sports gets us in stadiums cheering for underdogs like the Toronto Maple Leafs or hometown teams like the Cubs. I know he’ll be the kind of parent who’s right there in the everyday moments, steady, patient, and fully present.

Lisbon has become our home away from home, not just as a favorite getaway, but as the place where we go to see family, recharge and reset. The city’s walkability, high quality of food, fun festivals and the beautiful people are awe inspiring.

Outside of spending time with our extended family, Lisbon is also a simple flight to many other parts of the world that would be harder to get to from the US. We sometimes take advantage of that proximity to visit places in Europe, Africa, and Asia. As both of our jobs are remote, we have a lot of flexibility in traveling abroad.

We are also excited to open up this part of the world to a child, thanks to dual citizenship between the US and Portugal. As they get older, this could mean more life opportunities and experiences.

Education will be an active and lifelong adventure. We believe that some of the best lessons are learned through seeing the world firsthand.

We intend to make the world a part of our child’s classroom, where we can build wonder, respect, and appreciation for the environment in which we live and the cultures that surround us. This includes exploring nature, trying new foods, learning new languages, and caring for what we have.

We are committed to fostering a space where it is safe to ask big questions and take risks. Whether it is through the local schools or the "village" of family and friends surrounding us, we will ensure our child has the resources to dive deep into whatever sparks their interest.

Our goal is to raise a child who is not only a lifelong learner but also a culturally empathetic and globally minded individual, ready to navigate the world with confidence and kindness.

We are so lucky to be surrounded by a large, supportive extended family that is just as excited as we are to welcome a new member!

Davinia's parents and sister live a quick two-hour flight away and we see them every few months. Our little one will be the first grandchild in the family so Davinia's family is bursting at the seams to dote on them. Her parents also plan on speaking Portuguese to their grandchild to help them learn a second language.

Dane's parents, brother, and sister live a short drive away. Dane's sister, brother-in-law, and their two children are near us so, every couple of weeks, we either head to them or they come into the city for a day at the museum or a concert.

Food is at the heart of our family traditions. Because of our diverse background, our holiday tables are a wonderful mix of cultures. On Davinia’s side, we celebrate with traditional Goan and Portuguese dishes alongside American classics. It’s not unusual to see a roast turkey sitting next to delicious rice and curry for Thanksgiving! On Dane's side, his German roots come through in dishes like schnitzel around the holidays.

More than anything, our families are our biggest cheerleaders. They have been a part of our journey from the very beginning and are ready to shower a future child with endless love and attention.

Our home is in a beautiful, tree-lined historic Chicago neighborhood. We live in a spacious two bedroom apartment with great neighbors and easy access (less than 5 minutes away) to the grocery store and city trains.

What we love most about this area is the incredible sense of belonging. The sidewalks are filled with neighbors pushing strollers or walking dogs, and we are just a short walk away from several parks, playgrounds, and our local library that hosts weekly children’s events. Our community is famous for its spirit, featuring annual traditions like summer block parties, farmers' markets, and festive holiday parades that bring everyone together. It is a diverse, kind, and vibrant place to call home, and we can’t wait to share it with a little one.

We also have a Condo in Lisbon, Portugal that we'll visit each year. We look forward to these trips where we can slow down and connect with extended family while making room for a little exploring. Our Condo is right in the heart of the city so we are fully immersed in the beautiful language and culture.

We cannot fully know the depth of the choice you are making, but please know we hold it, and you, with the utmost respect. We also recognize that there are a lot of profiles to read through, so a huge thanks for continuing to read through ours and the diligence you bring to this decision.

We hope our profile has shown you that we care deeply for our family, that we truly love each other, that learning about the world around us is a life-long adventure, and that we are ready to take on this exciting chapter. We have spent years building a life filled with laughter, exploration, community, and deep-rooted traditions. During that time we have also processed a lot of loss, change, and grief due to our unsuccessful fertility journey. Processing that grief together strengthened our relationship and prepared us for the adoption journey. We began to see that we were simply building an environment for a child we were ready to love.

Well, the day we meet that child is a day we're truly looking forward to! We're also looking forward to all the other days to come - the ones filled with scraped knees, fussy eating, and big feelings as well as days that will represent big milestones and big wins. We're excited to be there for every part of the journey. It would be such a gift to support and walk alongside this little one as they grow.

In our home, your child will also grow up in a world where cultures will blend, curiosity will be encouraged, and adventures are always on the horizon. They will know the spice of Goan curry and the comfort of German family recipes. They will dance and be silly every day with us. They will know the joy of celebrating festivals like Dia De Los Muertos, Holi, or Lunar New Year with our neighbors and friends. They will be seasoned travelers, excitedly pulling their own mini check-in luggage. They will learn all about the world, but most importantly, discover their place in it. They will have best-friend aunts ready for trips, cousins ready to play, and grandparents who are ready to cherish them.

We're building a family where everyone belongs and we make room for each other. We promise to inspire wonder, celebrate their unique spirit, and provide a foundation of unwavering support. Above all, we'll raise your child with a deep understanding of the courage and love that brought us together. If you choose us, we commit to the open relationship that feels most right for you. This would include a plan for frequent letters, pictures, emails, phone calls, or visits as they grow. Your love and sacrifice will always be known to them.

Thank you for taking a moment to see a glimpse of our lives; we would be honored to share this journey with you and hope that you consider reaching out.

With love and gratitude,

Dane & Davinia