Ro comes from traditional Black southern roots. His parents grew up on opposite sides of a small river in a tiny North Carolina town. His dad joined the Air Force, so Ro's childhood was spent across the US and abroad, but "going home" has always meant the back woods of North Carolina, where his grandma still lives in the house he remembers from summers as a kid. There is the smell of paper from the factory down the street, hot sticky humid air, and a warmth that shows itself through endless sweet tea, chitlins, and every family member's favorite dish on the holiday table.

Celete is half-Nigerian and half-white. Her parents met in college when her dad came to the US on a soccer scholarship. Since he was so far from home, it became important to her parents to raise their kids near family, so Celete grew up on her mother's family dairy farm in Michigan. Growing up mixed-race in an almost entirely white town was isolating at times, and her family didn't yet have the language to talk about it in the way they would now. Childhood was still sweet, full of cows, goats, chickens, and horses, but it came with real questions about identity that have shaped who Celete is today.

When we think about our future family, we want to create a space where identity is talked about openly and where the differences and similarities that make us who we are are acknowledged and celebrated.

Fitness is something we both prioritize with our time and our finances. We're both avid gym goers - Celete loves out-lifting everyone else (especially the men) and stunning her trainers at group class sessions and Ro enjoys solo meditative cardio sessions fueled by morning-person energy and angry Eminem lyrics. We want to keep the fitness we have for as long as possible so we can continue to enjoy sports, biking, and hiking well into our future.

We also prioritize travel. It forces us to be smart with our time, wise with our energy, and empathetic in our relationships. There's something about being in a new culture and new place that erodes a little of the annoyances of life, and we always walk away with a slightly clearer view of the ties that connect all of us as humans.

Our favorite way to travel is by camper van. It's a healthy middle ground between tent and hotel, and encouraged detours to (all of these have happened): have a staring contest with a giant Mr. Potato Head in Connecticut, crawl through hidden passages in Gilded Age mansions in Rhode Island, freeze half to death during a spooky overnight stay in Salem, Massachusetts, and take selfies with 6 of the 150+ giant "Muffler Man" statues all across the country (we have a goal to visit them all!)

When we started considering adoption as a way to build our family, we spent a lot of time talking about and thinking through what it would look like to parent a child who has more than one family. As we read more about open adoption and what that can look like, we became increasingly drawn to the idea that a family built through adoption isn't just gaining a child, but a whole extended family and history as well. We want our child to grow up understanding that they were chosen and loved by more than one family. We would talk about adoption in our house casually and often so they understand it is OK to ask questions about it. We would want the birth family to be as involved as they are open to, attending birthdays and family gatherings when possible and desired. In one of the adoption books we read, the author talks about an adoptive child's "Family Orchard" instead of a "Family Tree." We would raise them to understand that they have more than just one tree of family, which means they have a deep well of love and connection that will grow and evolve with them forever.

We love our neighborhood's vibrant, welcoming feel. Our community is filled with a broad range of diverse families with children of all ages. It's a wonderfully supportive place to grow up; our neighborhood Facebook group regularly shares event updates, childcare resources, and mutual support. There's always something fun happening, from weekly yoga classes and free kid's tennis lessons to summer movies in the park, family-friendly concerts, and our favorite annual park parade and Halloween lantern walk. We were also thrilled to discover during our home study process that several other adoptive families live within walking distance, alongside many block neighbors with small kids.

Our home is a traditional city row home with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The main level features our living room, kitchen, and a half bathroom, leading out to a back yard with a grassy space for our dog to play, room for growing plants, and an outdoor dining table. Upstairs holds two small offices and our primary bedroom. When we grow our family, one of those offices will easily transform into a cozy nursery! The basement includes a guest suite where my parents frequently stay.

While we love the whole house, our favorite spots are the outdoor spaces, including our second-floor patio. We are just two blocks from one of the city's largest parks, complete with a community pool, kiddie area, and two large playgrounds where we can't wait to watch a child play.

Celete's parents retired a few years ago and moved to be closer to us. They now live just a short train ride away and we see each other frequently. Our favorite activities involve being outside: bike rides, picnics in the garden, and in the winter, cozying up for tea and a movie. Celete's dad played soccer professionally and has always loved watching the game, and Celete has recently gotten really into the women's league, so it has been a fun new thing to share with him. Celete and her mom have a long-running Scrabble rivalry. Celete has been beating her since she was 12 and has no intention of giving up the title anytime soon!

Ro's parents are about an hour away. When we get together we love to go out to eat, catch a movie, and occasionally play spades, though things can get competitive quickly! His parents love to host and regularly have friends and family over for holidays and cookouts. We even spent a Christmas with both families together at their house.

When we fell in love, we had no idea our families would fall in love with each other too, but we are so glad they did. During wedding planning, our families spent a weekend together and immediately hit it off. Both sets of parents love to travel, and that weekend laid the foundation for something we still laugh about: our parents booking a trip to Ghana together in 2024 and they went without us!

Hello! We are Ro and Celete, and we want to begin by saying thank you for taking the time to read our profile. We can only imagine the weight of the decision you are facing, and we hold deep respect for you as you navigate this path. We want to say clearly that we honor and support you, whether you ultimately choose to parent or choose adoption. Our greatest hope is that you find complete peace and confidence in whatever choice is best for you and your baby.

We have been together for six years, as best friends, partners, and legally married since 2023. Our journey together began in June 2020, starting with socially distanced connection during the pandemic before growing into a strong, joy-filled partnership. As we have gone on adventures and tackled life together over the years, we grew increasingly excited about sharing some of our fun life experiences with a child. After experiencing several years of unexplained infertility, we took time to reflect, heal, and learn. That journey led us to adoption, and we are so excited to open our hearts and our home to a child.

As an African American family, culture, heritage, and identity are deeply important to us. We believe every child deserves to grow up grounded in who they are, with a rich understanding of their roots?"whatever those roots may be. In our home, identity will be celebrated openly and often. Whether through the books on our shelves, the community role models we surround ourselves with, or family traditions, we are committed to making sure our child feels immensely proud of their culture and identity every single day.

We are also a family that deeply values life experiences. We believe that some of the best lessons and sweetest memories come from exploring the world together. We love spending time in nature, going on road trips, camping under the stars, trying new foods, and finding joy in everyday adventures. We cannot wait to share these experiences with a child, teaching them to be curious, kind, empathetic, and unafraid to try new things.

If you choose us to parent your child, please know that you will always hold a cherished place in our family's story. We see open adoption as an opportunity to expand our family's tree into an orchard of love, ensuring this child grows up knowing they are deeply loved by more than one family. We are fully committed to sending you regular letters and photos as your child grows, so you can see them thrive and hit every milestone. We are also very hopeful that we can build a genuine, ongoing relationship with you through emails, phone calls, text updates, and in-person visits if you desire that connection. We will follow your lead and honor your boundaries as they evolve over time.

Above all, our home is ready to offer unconditional love, security, and a lifetime of wonderful memories. We promise to raise this child to know their adoption story from day one and to know the selflessness and love behind your decision. We can't wait to grow our family, but only if it is the right path for everyone involved.

Thank you again for considering us. We send you warmth and strength as you make the best decision for your future.

With gratitude and respect,

Ro & Celete