We met in June 2011 through a mutual friend and were immediately drawn to each other’s warmth, sense of humor, and commitment to social justice. Since then, we have made a home with and for each other, building a loving community and strong partnership. We were married in the summer of 2018, and soon after, began more seriously discussing our path to parenthood.

We are so excited to be in the process of adopting, and can’t wait to welcome a little one into our family— to care for them, to pass on our traditions and values, and to instill in them a love for family, community, and tikkun olam (“healing the world” in Hebrew).

The process of adopting is long and has not always been easy. As a queer couple, we always knew our road to becoming dads would require effort, creativity, and patience. We did not fully anticipate the high costs of adoption when we first set out on this journey and we are incredibly grateful to the Chicago Coalition for Family Building and to the Jewish United Fund for their meaningful financial support and for the affirmation that comes with it. We’re as hopeful as ever and are eager to give back and support other families who are navigating similar processes!

Dan and Danny are recipients of the Path to Parenthood Grant from the Jewish United Fund – Chicago.