We are a mixed-race couple; Kiyo is Japanese, and Lu is Mexican/Spanish. We understand the racial makeup of this child may not be the same as either of our cultural heritages, but we are committed to embracing their cultural heritage and teaching them about ours as well.

In our home, we already cook foods from different cultures, and we are always open to trying new recipes outside of those that are traditionally ours, or at least eating at authentic restaurants. Food is a big part of any culture, and it helps bring people together, which is also why we attend and host many potluck-style dinners. Our friend group is also very diverse, and we are confident that the child will feel culturally represented and welcomed by our friends and their children. We celebrate each other’s holidays together.

Currently, Lu is learning Japanese, and Kiyo is learning Spanish. We plan to raise this child to at least be tri-lingual so they can communicate when we vacation abroad to visit family. If the child is of a different race, we intend to learn more about their cultural background and history so we can help educate them, and we can all learn together.

We believe that one of the benefits of open adoption is that the birth parent(s) remain in the child’s life and hopefully, can also help the child connect with their culture in ways that we may not be the best at. We embrace differences and uniqueness.

Lu really respects and admires Kiyo’s bravery and dedication to building a life that makes him happy. Kiyo’s whole family is in Japan, but he chose to come to America after high school to learn English and go to college here to eventually make a life for himself because he knew that, despite his family’s love, Japan as a whole was not the most gay-friendly environment. Lu deeply loves that even though Kiyo is normally more shy and demure, he is a bundle of joy and energy once he opens up to you. Kiyo brightens up Lu’s life just by being a part of it.

One quality Kiyo deeply admires in Lu is that he’s a child at heart. He brings so much joy and playfulness into their lives, always finding moments to laugh, be silly, or see the world with a sense of wonder. At the same time, he’s incredibly thoughtful and grounded. He’s a planner who makes sure they stay on track and are always prepared for what’s ahead. That balance between lightheartedness and responsibility is something Kiyo really respects. Lu reminds him to enjoy the present while still building a stable future together.

Going through the adoption process has brought us closer together because we see each other working hard to make our dream come true. The shared passion for adoption reminds us that we are ready and we can rely on each other for support.

Both of us grew up with pets, which makes having pets a very natural part of our lives. Lu is an only child, having a pet felt like having a loving companion you could always care for and play with, but also love unconditionally and receive that same love back. Kiyo is the youngest of three, with a five-year age gap between his next sibling. Having a pet for Kiyo also felt like having a companion closer in age that you could be a kid with.

Lu always wanted a Corgi, so we had to get Reggie through a breeder. Tilly (also a corgi) was a rescue in the sense that her previous owner neglected her and was looking to get rid of her. She required a lot of medical care and attention when we first got her, but her sweet, loving personality always shone through all her scars and patchy fur. While Reggie sometimes acts like a privileged only child, he does look out for and care for Tilly. Next came the kitties Lex and Pen. We only intended to foster them and potentially adopt one, but all four of us bonded with them, and there was no going back.

We believe that all pets deserve a good, loving home. We are fortunate to be able to provide for them. More importantly, though, is the mutual emotional bond, the memories we all create. Pets are a gift, and they make every day better.

We live in a very diverse neighborhood with couples of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. We are currently the only gay couple in the neighborhood but everyone has always been so nice and inviting. Lu is actually the secretary on the HOA board now.

Our neighborhood is also known for being very pet and kid-friendly. The school bus for our elementary, middle, and high schools all stop inside the neighborhood. There’s always at least one parent waiting at pick-up and drop-off times.

We often have neighborhood events but our favorites are the Halloween party for the kids and the turkey run, where we run throughout the neighborhood on Thanksgiving morning.

Inside the neighborhood, we have a gated pool, a small jungle gym for the kids, a formal tennis and pickleball court, and a parking lot with a basketball hoop.

Our home currently has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, a kitchen, dining room, and two car garage. One of the bedrooms was turned into a library, another is a multipurpose room that we also use for guests, there’s the master bedroom, and lastly, the room that will become this child’s nursery and eventual bedroom. Kiyo has plants throughout the house, which make it very bright and inviting, but Lu’s favorite room is the library, which is straight out of a fairy tale.

We also live ten minutes away from our town center that has weekly food truck events, local indie concerts, and lots of family-owned restaurants and stores.

Our families are incredibly supportive of our adoption journey. They regularly check in, not just to share their excitement, but to make sure we are taking care of ourselves throughout the process.

Last November, we visited Kiyo’s family in Japan; it was the first time Lu met the extended family in person. We had a big dinner party filled with lots of delicious food, and we had an overall great time. Everyone has always been very accepting of our marriage, and everyone tries their best to communicate with Lu, who isn’t fluent in Japanese, but he’s learning! We spent a bulk of the evening playing with our niece and nephews and getting to know them. Kiyo’s parents have visited us in the U.S. many times and already feel close to Lu, but this visit was more special because it included the whole family.

Lu’s grandmother lives in Mexico, and we FaceTime with her at least every week. She visits us when she can and always cooks big Mexican meals even if it’s only for the three of us.

We are also lucky to have a close-knit group of friends who feel like family. We often gather for potlucks, game nights, holidays and events.

Thank you so much for considering us as adoptive parents. We want to begin by acknowledging your incredible courage, love, and selflessness in creating an adoption plan for your child. We have deep respect for you and the journey you’re on, and hope that maybe we can be the right couple that you are looking for.

We’re Luis and Kiyotaka, but you can call us Lu and Kiyo. We met on Ok Cupid in 2016 while living in Southern California. Just as we were starting our respective careers, it was nice to have found comfort, laughter, and a deep sense of home in one another. Fortunate that gay marriage had been legalized, we married in October 2017, surrounded by close friends and family who have supported our relationship from the start. In 2020, against all odds, we moved cross-country to Georgia, where we bought our first home together. Our goal was to buy a home surrounded by a strong support system of friends, where our dream of growing our family could start to take shape.

Adoption has been on our hearts for many years now. We’ve often talked about future plans with parenthood in mind. We have taken the time to ensure we are financially, mentally, and emotionally ready to provide a child with a life full of unconditional love and joy. Our home is warm, vibrant, and whimsical. We are most proud of our modern library, inspired by fairy tales, and our thriving plant collection. This speaks to our interests in reading, imagination, and nature, which help to create a calming, welcoming space.

We’re also joined by our two very sweet corgis, Tilly and Reggie, and our two cats, Lex and Pen. They bring so much fun and joy into our daily lives. Whether they’re snuggled up with us on the couch, following us from room to room, or joining us during weekend movie nights, they are a big part of our family. They are gentle, playful, and already very curious about the nursery we’ve started to set up. We know they will welcome this child into our home and appreciate a new cuddle buddy once the child is old enough. We look forward to walking the dogs while pushing a stroller and watching them all run around the house.

We promise that your child will grow up knowing how deeply they are loved, not just by us, but by you. We want them to understand the strength and compassion it took for you to make this decision, and we will always speak of you with the respect and gratitude you deserve.

We’re dedicated to raising a child in a safe, nurturing environment where they are free to be themselves and explore the world with wonder and confidence. We believe in the importance of kindness, open communication, creativity, and making memories together. Whether we are building blanket forts in the living room, singing in the car, helping with school projects, or taking family trips to visit new places, we are excited for all the small and big moments that come with parenthood.

We are open to ongoing contact and welcome the opportunity to connect via email, phone, or in person to explore the level of openness that feels right for you. At a minimum, we are committed to sending letters and photos over the years so you can see your child grow and thrive. We understand that sometimes you may need more or less contact, and we want to be mindful of your peace.

No matter what path you choose, we hope you feel supported and empowered in your journey. Thank you for taking the time to read our story. If our story speaks to your heart, we would be honored to connect with you and share more.

With kindness,

Lu & Kiyo