Alex

I live in a suburb in Texas, in a two-story, three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home with a medium-sized backyard. My neighborhood is safe and quiet with many young families. I share the house with four dogs: Ava, a sweet Border Collie mix; Snoop, a loving Doberman/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix; Stella, a goofy but sweet Doberman; and Hank, a cuddly Chihuahua who came home with me after being abandoned at the fire station. I also have an aquarium room with both freshwater and saltwater fish. All my pets bring a sense of joy, love, security, calmness, and character to my home.

I have a village of people behind me as I set out on this journey, including my parents, Kellie and Joe Jr.; my sisters Jasmine and Makayla; my brother Jordan and his wife, Reagan; my goddaughter Gracie; my Aunt Melissa, who is like a second mom, and her daughter, Nevele; my godmother, Theresa, and her kids, Jace and Raelyn; my Aunt Jada; my Uncle William and his girlfriend, Paola; my grandparents, Deborah and Joseph; and my bonus grandparent, Papa Curtis. I also have a small village of my closest friends. We spend most holidays together as a family, and we go on vacations together. We carve pumpkins, and we participate in at least one local Trunk-or-Treat event at Halloween. Thanksgiving is full of turkey and family. Then comes Christmas. We paint Christmas ornaments, have gingerbread house competitions, watch Christmas movies, and bake cookies. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinners are usually celebrated at my mother's house, and the Easter Bunny leaves our baskets at her house. (She says we might be too old for Easter baskets, but obviously the Easter Bunny disagrees.) We also do an Easter egg hunt at my grandpa's house for my goddaughter.

Being a parent has been on my heart for a long time; adoption became a clear path after facing the reality that I can't have my own children. That was a hard truth to come to terms with, but it didn't take away my desire to be a parent. I've always felt called to raise a child—to provide them with love, structure, joy, and a safe place to grow. I believe families are built through love and commitment, not just genetics. Adoption isn't a second choice for me—it's a meaningful and intentional one. I'm ready to open my heart and home and offer a child the care and life they deserve.