Hello!
We are Juan, Berenice and Luz. We are a family of three hoping to grow our family through adoption. Becoming parents to our daughter, Luz, has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives.
We hope that as you read our story and look through our pictures, you will get a glimpse of the love, joy, faith and family that fill our home.
Our Story
Our love story began in San Diego, California. We met one evening while going to a movie with Berenice’s sister and friends. It was love at first sight and we had an instant connection. We started dating a week later. At the time, Juan was serving in the U.S. Marines and was living in San Diego.
We married in 2005 and in 2006 we moved to Chicago to go to college together. After 21 years of marriage, we are grateful for the beautiful life and family we have built together.
Through all of life’s seasons, we have supported one another and grown stronger together. We hope to show our children what it means to have a loving, strong, and happy marriage and family.
Adoption, Parenting & Openness
Adoption has a special place in our hearts. We adopted our daughter, Luz, at birth, and becoming her parents has brought so much love and joy into our lives. We talk with Luz about her adoption story in a way she understands and read her children’s books about adoption. We want her to know her beautiful life story.
We stay connected with Luz’s birth mother by sharing pictures, updates and videos. If you chose us as your child’s parents, we would also welcome ongoing openness with you by sharing pictures, updates and videos, as well as having meetups if desired.
As parents, we hope to give our children a loving and supportive home where they can grow, learn, have fun and always know how loved they are.
Meet Berenice
Hi, I am Berenice! I was born and raised in beautiful San Diego, California, and I am the youngest of three children. My parents, Ruben and Graciela, are originally from Nayarit, Mexico. I grew up in a close family where faith, love and spending time together were important.
I work part-time as a Respiratory Therapist at a children’s hospital in the NICU, where I provide respiratory care for sick babies. Caring for others is important to me, and I am grateful to have a career that allows me to help children and their families.
I enjoy painting flowers, taking walks around our neighborhood with my family and our two dogs, Diego and Miley, and going out for ice cream together at our neighborhood ice cream shop. I also love spending time outdoors, hiking and exploring forest preserves with my daughter. When I have an opportunity to relax, I enjoy watching Disney movies with my daughter and scary movies with my husband.
Becoming a mom has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I love watching Luz learn and grow, we enjoy singing and being silly together, cuddling, and making everyday memories as a family. I look forward to sharing those same special moments with another child.
Meet Juan
Hi, my name is Juan. I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. My parents are originally from Guanajuato, Mexico. I have an older sister and younger brother. I am a teacher; I have done many roles in my school over the past 17 years. I am currently a special education teacher and programmer. I believe in doing my best to ensure all my students reach their goals. Teaching has taught me that every child can accomplish their goals when provided with the right support.
In my free time, I enjoy exercising, reading mystery and suspense books, hiking, and relaxing with a good movie. Luz and I love playing together, laughing, and having our own little daddy-daughter adventures at the zoo and the park.
Fatherhood has been better than I ever imagined. I hope to teach my children to be kind, confident, curious and always know that I will be there to encourage and support them with all my love.
Our Faith & Family
Our Catholic faith is an important part of our family. We enjoy attending Mass together and teaching Luz to love God and others in the same way our parents taught us.
We are proud of our Mexican American heritage and of being a bilingual family. We speak both English and Spanish in our home and want our children to grow up proud of their heritage and family stories. Luz’s birth family is from Nicaragua, and honoring that part of her heritage is important to us as well.
Family is a big part of our lives. We enjoy Family Sundays, holidays, birthdays, vacations, dinners, and simply spending time together. Our children will grow up surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents and friends who will be there to love, encourage and support them.
Thank You
Thank you so much for taking the time to learn about our family story and look through our pictures.
We hope you were able to see the love, joy and faith that fill our home. We would be honored to welcome another child into our home and family and to watch Luz become a big sister.
We wish you strength, courage and peace as you make the best decision for you and your child.
With love,
