We are Rob & Mike

Hello! We are grateful that you would consider us as potential adoptive parents for your child. Family is the cornerstone of our lives, and we cherish the close relationships we have with our parents and siblings. We eagerly look forward to offering your baby a warm and loving home, brimming with laughter, sun-kissed beach days, and the delightful aromas of home-cooked meals. We promise to create a loving and supportive environment for our child to grow.

Rob (left), Mike (right)

Us with our dog and nephew for his birthday

Our Story

Together for 14 years

We first met in 2010 when we were both still living with our parents. We had met online, and for our first date, Rob picked Mike up from the route 9 bus coming back from a day of working in the city. We drove to the local Dunkin Donuts. Rob ordered a donut and a Coolatta. Mike, on some perpetual diet, said he wouldn’t have anything. That’s when Rob looked at Mike and said “JUST GET THE COOLATTA” gesturing with his hands - we laughed together. It was in that moment that Rob taught Mike a valuable lesson about living in the moment and seizing the day and ever since then, our relationship has been a series of moments like that, filled with spontaneity and laughter.

On a bike ride through town

We moved in together 4 years after our Dunkin date into a condo across the river from NYC. Mike worked in the city and Rob worked in central Jersey, it was a good half-way point.

Our wedding day - Zuzu joined!

Walk on the beach with Zuzu

Hike through the local state park with Zuzu

Memorial Day Parade with Zuzu

Our Nephew's Boy Scout Pinewood Derby

7 years after that, we moved down the shore to be close to each of our families, since we were constantly traveling down to them anyway. The town we moved to is a tight-knit beach town in a walkable suburban neighborhood with a good school system and friendly neighbors where we often see kids riding their bikes, surfing at the beach, and walking to friend’s houses.

In May of 2022, we got a dog. A black lab mix named Zuzu - she’s named after George Bailey’s daughter in It’s a Wonderful Life - our favorite movie that we rewatch every Christmas season. Zuzu is a bright and shining light in our lives. She enjoys many daily cuddle sessions and lots of playing with her dadas in the backyard where she can sprint around the pool.

In June 2023, after 12+ years together we got married. We had a big wedding with all of our family and friends and it was the happiest day of our lives. We have always been discreet when it comes to showing each other affection in public and it was nice to have a day when our family and friends could celebrate our love for each other.

The next step in our journey is to grow our family - to welcome a child into our home to love and nurture. We look forward to raising our baby and providing it with lots of love.

About Rob

By Mike

Robert is the kind of guy who is quiet in public, but at home has me laughing all day; from funny impersonations to quotes from National Lampoon’s Christmas vacation he lights up the room. Besides being my best friend, he is also the best doggy dada to our Zuzu. He runs over to kiss her paws if she hurts herself, makes sure she's up to date on her medications from the vet, and just gives her non-stop love and cuddles. I truly feel that she is the luckiest dog to have Rob as a dada. Similarly, I feel like the luckiest man to be able to call Robert my husband, not just for who he is, but who I am when I am with him. He is smart, beautiful, caring, and has a big heart and there’s no one I’d rather go through life with than him and I know he will be the best father to our child.

Snuggling with Zuzu

Playing Pie Face with the family

Airplane with our nephew...

... and big hugs!

Family day!

4th of July Family BBQ!

Rob's Career

A Real Estate Agent at the Shore

I studied Business Finance and Information Technology and worked in Finance as an equity trader for many years. I have since gotten into real estate and work as a full time Realtor at the shore. I work from home, have a lot of flexibility with my schedule, and go out when showing houses.

Fun Facts About Rob

My favorite candy is Reeses 🙂
I love the beach and the hot weather. I enjoy being outside all summer - taking care of the landscaping at our home, swimming in the pool, and laying on the beach.
I love cars
I have started learning to surf
I enjoy fixing up our home with DIY projects
I have a sweet tooth and love dessert 🍫

About Mike

By Rob

Mike is the most fun-loving, easy going, generous person! He fills our home with so much love, happiness, joy and dancing! He is my best friend and my rock. He is such a hard worker and always wants what is best for his family and always puts his family first. Mike loves to enjoy life, travel, laugh, dance, and loves playing and building legos with our nephews. He’s so caring, and is an amazing doggy dad to our Zuzu girl and I know he will be the best dad for our child.

Our Nephew's Band Performance

In Cape May with Mike's Family

A birthday card to Dada from Zuzu

Mike's Sister's high school graduation

A whole family of
Jack-o-Lanterns 🎃

Homemade Rice Krispies Cleanup

Making rice balls with Mike's family

Mike's Career

An Entrepreneur Web Developer

Baking cookies with our nephew

I started my own web development business in 2014. Ten years later, we've built sites for clients like Google, Forbes, and Weight Watchers. Post COVID lockdowns, we are entirely remote and one of my favorite things is that I get to run my company while staying home with my family and never missing a breakfast, lunch, or dinner with Rob or a nightly play/soccer/dance session with Zuzu in the backyard.

Fun Facts About Mike

My favorite candy is Grape Mike & Ikes (Jolly Joes)
I love dance music - I feel the rhythm in my soul - I dance while I’m working, while I’m playing with Zuzu, while I’m brushing my teeth, and in plenty of other situations 😂
I used to be a mobile DJ during my middle school / high school days - I DJed backyard parties, weddings, and school dances
I enjoy doing renovation projects around the house, especially involving molding - I like tasks that require me to be meticulous
I often play retro Super Nintendo games like Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario World or watch videos of professionals play them on YouTube

FAITH

Living Our Values Every Day

We were both raised Roman Catholic. We go to church every Sunday - it’s just a block down the street from our house. We occasionally volunteer at the church food pantry and donate gifts to children in need during Christmas time. We believe in being honest and doing everything with high integrity and will teach our child the same.

JDRF Walk with Mike's family to raise money for Diabetes research

Our forever home 🏡

Family BBQ in the backyard with both families

All ready to take the sun ☀️

Calming sunset by the pool 😌

Chicken cutlets for Sunday dinner - Zuzu is helping

HOME

A Happy Home

We live in a suburban town just a mile from the beach with a great school system and close to family. We have a fenced-in backyard with a pool and a Tiki bar where we have family get-togethers throughout the summer. We're in walking distance of 3 different playgrounds. Our house is over one hundred years old and when we first walked in the house 3 years ago, we could feel the love and brightness in it. Since moving in, we have renovated the entire house, from refinishing the floors to gut-renovating the kitchen and bathrooms, painting every room and replacing every light fixture. We take great pride in making our home beautiful and cozy - especially in preparation for building a family. Our town is very family-oriented and we look forward to introducing our child to a community filled with other happy families and future best friends.
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Christmas decorations by the cozy fireplace

Festive Christmas decorations outside

Family

Family First Always

We are very close with both of our families. We live 15 minutes from Mike’s family and 45 minutes from Rob’s family and see each family multiple times a month. With Mike’s family, we’re often hanging by the beach, taking walks, or playing board games. With Rob’s family, we’re often by the pool or building legos with our 3 nephews. We’ve been very close with our nephews ever since they were born and watching them grow up has been one of the best experiences of our lives. We go to their baseball games and band concerts and graduations. Nothing beats the biggest, tightest hugs we get when we come into the house. We will be introducing our child into a big family filled with lots of love, laughs, cousins, and of course, delicious Italian home cooking.

Taking the nephews on the carousel

Sunday dinner with Rob's Family

Nephews and Cousins in our wedding party

Chirstmas Eve / Engagement Celebration with Mike's Family

Thank you

We are very thankful for the opportunity to be considered as your child’s adoptive parents. We promise to give your child a secure upbringing filled with lots of love, laughter, and family.