Danñiel & Colton

We met at a CrossFit gym in Portland, Oregon. Colton had grown up there, and Danñiel had recently moved to be closer to her brothers. We clicked instantly, and with COVID lockdowns just months away, we had all the time in the world to fall for each other: bike rides, workouts, and slow mimosa mornings.

After a rainy Oregon spring, we craved sunshine, so when Danñiel landed a job in Australia, we jumped. We spent seven months in Sydney before heading home, this time to Texas. Texas is where it all came together: we got engaged, married in a charming town nearby, and welcomed our Spanish Water Dog, Roo.

Then came our son, Leo. He arrived 12 weeks early at just 2 lbs 4 oz, his hand no bigger than his dad's thumb. After 82 days in the NICU, our little fighter came home, and his smile now lights up every room. Between HYROX races and ski trips to the mountains, life with us is active, joyful, and ready to grow.

Our home in Texas is a reflection of who we are and the life we have built together. Colton comes from a family of contractors, and together we have poured our time, energy, and love into making this house our own, one project at a time. From updated floors and cabinets to a cozy nursery and a backyard where Leo spends hours playing, every space was created with our family in mind.

We are surrounded by a wonderful community, with close friends, our gym, parks, a great daycare, and the water we love nearby. Our mornings often begin with family walks with Leo and Roo, a simple tradition that reminds us how grateful we are for the life we have created. This is a warm, loving home where another child will be welcomed, supported, and surrounded by belonging.

Our village is big, close-knit, and full of love. Over the years, we have been fortunate to build friendships with people who have become like family. Some of our closest friends have children around Leo’s age, and we love watching them grow, play, and create memories together. They are the people we laugh with, lean on, and know will be there for life’s biggest moments.

Both sets of grandparents are happily married, deeply involved, and excited to be part of our children’s lives. When Leo was born, both grandmas, Mae-Mae and Grammy, dropped everything to help us through those first few months. All four grandparents love finding new ways to spoil him and are already eager to share that same love with any future additions to our family.

Our children will also be surrounded by loving aunts and uncles who cannot wait to be part of their lives. Colton’s sister lives just a few miles away and is always eager for opportunities to babysit. Three uncles live in Oregon, but distance has never changed the closeness of our family. They are always ready for an adventure, a good laugh, and creating memories. They constantly compete to be the most fun, bringing laughter and chaos while loving their nieces and nephews deeply. Any child who joins our family will be surrounded by people who show up, celebrate them, and love them wholeheartedly.

Danñiel is Puerto Rican and German, and Colton's family has European roots. We're proud of our heritage, but the culture that matters most in our home is built on kindness, hard work, and gratitude. We believe in giving our best to everything, and we show up for each other, always. After watching our son fight his way home from the NICU, we never take a single day for granted.

If our future child's cultural background is different from our own, we would embrace it with open hearts. We want them to know where they came from and feel proud of every part of their story. We'll learn alongside them, celebrate their traditions, build connections to their culture, and make sure it is honored in our family. Our hope is to raise a child who feels a true sense of belonging—both in their own heritage and in the loving family we build together.