Ryan and Maribel

Hello, and welcome to a small snapshot of our world. We’re Ryan, Maribel, Lorenzo, and Leonardo.

We live in Washington State, and our lives here are centered around family, service, and spending time outdoors together. For years, we’ve hoped to grow our family. After experiencing miscarriages and fertility challenges, and with the help of fertility treatments, our two boys were born. That experience showed us just how much love we still have to give and how ready we are to welcome another child. Adoption is not just the next chapter. It is something we are choosing with purpose, hope, and gratitude.

Ryan has served in the U.S. Army for 21 years and is currently in a leadership position. Running, traveling, and spending time outdoors are a big part of his rhythm. He’s steady, thoughtful, and calm under pressure, and he brings that same sense of purpose and steadiness into our home. His experiences have shaped our family into one that values humility, resilience, and always looking for the good around us.

Maribel is a physician assistant and an Army reservist. As a first-generation American with roots in Ecuador, she brings culture, warmth, and a deep sense of gratitude for opportunity into our home. She loves dancing because it’s her way of expressing joy and connecting with people. She has a natural ability to make others feel seen and comfortable, and her compassion is something our family leans on every single day. She loves furry animals and so we welcomed our cats, Achilles and Athena to our family.

Our boys, Lorenzo and Leonardo, are the heart and laughter of our home. Lorenzo is our curious thinker. He’s always reading, always asking questions, always wanting to explore the world a little further. Leonardo is full of energy and affection. He loves soccer, cats, and making people laugh. He has a tender, caring nature that shows up in little ways, checking on others, offering hugs, noticing when someone needs a friend. Both boys are excited about the idea of having a younger sibling. They talk about what toys they’ll share and how they’ll help as big brothers. They already have big hearts, and they’re ready to make room for one more.

Something that matters deeply to us is open adoption. We believe that a child should grow up knowing their story, their roots, and the people who were part of their life from the very beginning. We hope to build a comfortable relationship that is centered on the child’s well being. We want your child to be able to reach out to you, to know your name and hear your voice, without any barriers.

Thank you for taking the time to read our letter and learn a little about who we are.  Warmly, Ryan, Maribel, Lorenzo and Leonardo.