Hello, we are Paul and Lhara from North Hollywood, California along with our son, Dante.

Why Adoption?

Adoption has always been part of our vision for our family.

We both saw adoptions in our extended families growing up, so it was familiar to us. Early in our relationship we found out we had each been thinking about it on our own, and we decided to build a family through birth and adoption. Today, we are grateful to be parents to our wonderful son, who brings so much joy and love to our lives. Becoming parents confirmed what we already believed, that family is built through love, and we are excited to share that love with another child.

Our Love Story:

Today, after years of building a life together, the greatest joy of all has been welcoming our son and creating a home filled with love, laughter, and acceptance. We are incredibly grateful for the journey that brought us here. Adoption has been part of our dream from the very beginning, and we are excited to now be taking that next step.

About Lhara by Paul:

When I think about what I love most about her, the first thing that comes to mind is her heart.

She has a natural gift for caring for others and approaches life with kindness, generosity, and an infectious sense of humor. She is the person friends and family turn to when they need support, and she has an incredible ability to make people feel comfortable, understood, and loved.

I admire how she balances her career as a doctor with being fully present for our family. She fills our home with love, laughter, and creativity. She brings joy to even the simplest moments. Watching her become a mother has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. She is loving, patient, and deeply devoted to our son, and the love she pours into our family is evident in everything she does. I feel incredibly lucky to share my life with her and excited to continue growing our family together.

Lhara’s Fun Facts

● I grew up in Peru in a big family with lots of siblings, and I love the joy, laughter, and wonderful chaos that comes with it.

● I lived in Spain for a year before moving to the United States to build a life with Paul.

● I speak Spanish, English, and a little Portuguese.

● I play the guitar and love writing my own songs.

● I’m a doctor who diagnoses blood diseases, and I chose pathology because it gives me more time for my favorite job, being a mom.

● I love singing Disney songs to Dante—they're some of our favorite moments together.

● I love cooking and trying new recipes for family and friends.

● I enjoy traveling and learning about different cultures.

● I love spending time at the beach and going on hikes with my family.

● Becoming a mom has been the greatest joy of my life.

About Paul by Lhara

From the day I met Paul, I knew he was someone very special.

I was drawn to his strength, charisma, optimism, and the way he makes everyone around him feel valued and cared for. He has an incredible ability to find joy in life’s everyday moments and to bring laughter to even the most challenging situations. Over the years, my love and admiration for him have only grown, and I feel incredibly grateful to share my life with him.

Watching him become a father has been one of the greatest joys of my life. His patience, kindness, and playful spirit make him a wonderful dad, and I am not at all surprised by how naturally he embraced that role. He is deeply devoted to our family and always makes us feel loved, supported, and safe. I feel incredibly fortunate to share this life with him, and I could not imagine a better partner to walk beside as we continue our journey of growing our family through adoption.

Paul’s Fun Facts

● I'm a financial technology executive, and my favorite perk of working from home is my little coworker, Dante.

● I grew up in New Jersey with Colombian and Puerto Rican roots and speak both English and Spanish.

● I lived in New York City for over 15 years before moving to Los Angeles.

● I met my wife while backpacking through South America.

● Becoming a dad has been my greatest adventure.

● I enjoy boxing, working out, and staying active.

● I'm a big fan of hip-hop music.

● I love traveling and learning about different cultures.

● I grew up playing sports, went on to play football at Columbia University, and cannot wait to watch games with my kids.

Hobbies & Interests

Our favorite moments are the ones we share as a family. We love music, and Dante loves to dance, so spontaneous dance parties happen all the time; anything from reggaeton to 90s pop. We love spending afternoons at the park, where he meets other children and explores the world around him. Weekend mornings are a favorite too, putting on a vinyl record, making breakfast, and just enjoying being together.

We love hosting backyard BBQs and filling our home with friends, family, good food, and laughter. On weekends we head to the beach or go for a hike, and we still cheer on our New York sports teams even from Los Angeles.

We are big Star Wars and Disney fans and love visiting Disneyland  to keep a little magic alive.

At the end of the day, after Dante is asleep, we enjoy relaxing together with a good show. We love art, museums, and discovering new cultures, and we look forward to taking our children on family vacations and showing them the world as they grow.

Our Home & Community

We love the life and community we’ve built in Los Angeles.

We live in a house with a large backyard where children can run, play, explore, and make lasting memories; it has already become the gathering spot for neighborhood families, with weekly play dates that have become a cherished part of our routine. Our home is bilingual, and we are raising Dante to speak both English and Spanish while embracing the cultures that are part of our family's story.

Our neighborhood is family-friendly, with nearby parks filled with playgrounds and open green spaces. Dante especially loves the local parks and baby gyms, which have become some of our favorite places to spend time together. We are also fortunate to live within easy reach of beautiful beaches, amazing state parks, and scenic hiking trails, giving us plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures throughout the year. With Southern California’s great weather and sunshine, we spend a lot of time outdoors and enjoy an active lifestyle. We are also fortunate to have excellent schools nearby. Most of all, we love that our home is a place where family and friends gather, laughter is abundant, and everyone feels welcomed, loved, and supported.

Our Son, Dante

Our son, Dante, is a curious, active, and joyful little boy who keeps us smiling every day.

He loves exploring, spending time outdoors, playing in our backyard, and enjoying playdates with neighborhood friends. He is affectionate, full of energy, and brings so much happiness to our family. We feel incredibly lucky to be his parents and are excited to watch him become a loving big brother.

Meet Our Cats

We have two cats, Leia and Rey, who are firmly convinced they are in charge of the house. They bring laughter and personality to our home, and Dante loves chasing them around, cuddling with them, and being part of their daily adventures. They are cherished members of our family and make every day a little more fun.

Our Family

Family is at the heart of everything we do.

In Los Angeles, we are surrounded by close friends, including childhood friends and people we have known for decades, who show up for every milestone and feel like family in every way. Paul also has two nephews in California, so family is never too far away. Our home is always full of people who love and support us.

Our extended family is spread across Florida, Peru, and France, but we have always stayed very close. Dante video calls his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins every day, and those calls have become one of his favorite parts of the day. They visit throughout the year, and we love traveling to see them as often as we can. When Dante was born, they came from around the world to be with us, and they are already looking forward to welcoming our next child home.

We feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by so much love, near and far, and we cannot wait for our children to grow up knowing they are cherished by so many people.

Our Family Traditions

● Birthdays: Waking up the birthday person with a birthday song, cake, and presents.

● Christmas: A big real tree, family recipes, turkey dinner, and plenty of presents.

● New Year's Eve: We eat 12 grapes at midnight and put lentils in our pockets for good luck and prosperity (a Latin American Tradition).

● Thanksgiving: Gathering with family and friends for a festive backyard grill meal.

● Football Season: Hosting friends for the Super Bowl, complete with great food and company.

Thoughts on Parenting

We intentionally chose career paths that allow us to be present. Paul works from home, and as a pathologist, Lhara is typically home early each afternoon, just in time for Dante's lunch. Having the time and flexibility to prioritize our family is something we thoughtfully planned from the very beginning. We are intentional and thoughtful in our approach to parenting. We believe children deserve respect, love, and understanding from the very beginning.

Our goal is to create a home where they feel safe, valued, and unconditionally loved. We want them to know their thoughts, and feelings matter, while encouraging curiosity and independence. We also believe children thrive with clear expectations, consistent boundaries, and patient guidance. Above all, we hope our children grow up confident in who they are, compassionate toward others, and supported as they pursue their dreams.

In Closing

Thank you for taking the time to get to know us and learn about our family. We deeply admire the strength, courage, and love that have brought you to this point, and we are grateful that you have considered us as part of your journey. We feel incredibly fortunate for the life we have built together and for the love, laughter, and support that fill our home. Adoption has been part of our dream from the very beginning, and we would be honored to welcome another child into our family. We are committed to an open adoption built on trust, honesty, and mutual respect, and we welcome a meaningful connection in whatever way feels right for you. Thank you again for considering us.

Whatever path you choose, we wish you peace, support, and confidence in the decision that is best for you and your child.

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