Welcome! Meet:

João + Lorena

University Professor and Researcher / University Professor

Virginia

Caucasian

All About João & Lorena
Why Adoption?
Gallery
Family and Home
How We Met
Advice to Future Child
Perspectives on Open Adoption
Favorites

All About João & Lorena

We’re Lorena (loh-REH-nah, Spain), João (zhoo-OW, Portugal), and Dexter (a Florida rescue and the real nap expert).

Our home is a mix of international flavors, dog-eared books, toys, and the quiet truth that family is made solely by love. No fairy-tale spin—just a warm, messy space with sturdy hearts and a shared certainty: we’re ready to welcome a child through adoption.

We’re real people with a full life, and we have love waiting.

Why Adoption?

For us, biology and adoption always coexisted in our vision of family—they were never alternatives, but rather parallel paths to the same destination of building a home. When our own biological journey proved not to be possible, it was a painful experience. Yet, we managed to weather that pain together, strengthened by the knowledge that this was not the end of our road to parenthood. While adoption has now become our path forward, to us it was always a cherished part of the plan.

Above all, we see adoption as a profound privilege and a conscious choice. We feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to become parents and recognize that the child who joins our family will enrich our lives and home in ways we can only imagine. This is a path we choose with open eyes and full hearts—the active, hopeful journey to parenthood. It is the incredible honor of welcoming a child into our lives, learning who they are, and having the chance to build a beautiful future together as a family.

Family & Home

A house is made of walls and windows, but a home is made of something else entirely. For us, our home is Dexter. He’s the Floridian Staffie mix who turned our house into the home it now is and upgraded us from a couple into a family. He was the ‘click’—the instant we knew we were meant to be and that our pack was ready to grow. His specialties—like serious squirrel chasing, kitchen supervision, and professional napping—are the rhythms and the joys of our daily life.

Our home is a cozy nest in Virginia’s mountains, built for togetherness. It’s the sound of the chimney on a winter night and the glow of our projector that turns movie night into an event. The heart of the home is João’s big open kitchen, where we prepare meals under Dexter's watchful eye, and the backyard that connects to a trail where our adventures begin. This home is filled with the laughter of friends, from our local tribe to our international family who visit from across the globe. It’s a place where love is served as generously as the food, and where Dexter’s wagging tail is the truest welcome.

How others describe me

João is a deeply good and just man. His work in economics and public policy is a direct reflection of his beliefs; he doesn’t just talk about a better world, he builds it through action. This drive comes from a sincere desire to understand the world and improve himself—whether it's the quiet, soul-searching reflection to become a better partner and person, reading history books to grasp the roots of today's challenges, or studying a policy issue from every angle to arrive at a fair and thoughtful opinion.

But what truly defines our life together is his joy. It’s a constant, steady light. He has been my rock as we've navigated storms, supporting me with a positivity that makes even difficult times feel manageable. His happy mood is infectious, a constant presence whether he's on a mountain trail, perfecting a new recipe to share with friends, or playfully pestering our dog, Dexter.

It is this blend of integrity and joyful energy that makes me certain he will be an extraordinary father. I cannot wait to see the kind, curious person our child will become with his guidance.

Lorena is the hardest-working, fair, fun, and loving person I know, and I have no doubt she will be an extraordinary mother.

She has a remarkable gift for staying engaged and focused even when life feels chaotic—balancing everything with calm strength. I admire the gentle way she cares for Dexter, noticing every small detail, always making sure that all his wishes are satisfied. When she reads, she disappears into a story so deeply that it feels like she’s traveling somewhere else, and when we actually travel, she connects with people and cultures in a way that makes me see the world differently, too.

With Lorena, life is never routine—she brings new interpretations, laughter, and a sense of discovery into every day. She is my anchor and shelter, and in our house, there is already a special place waiting for our future child.

How We Met

We technically met over the apps—it was pandemic times, after all—but our real beginning was in the late spring of 2020 at a park in Gainesville, Florida. Both new to the area and feeling the weight of uncertainty, lockdowns and distance from our families, we decided to trade our screens for the sunshine, agreeing to meet at the park just to breathe the fresh air and feel a sense of life around us. Lorena arrived by bike (her stubborn, car-free mode of transport), and João broke the ice with, "Oh, that's a cool one!" We started talking and never stopped, spending the whole afternoon discovering how much we had in common. Soon after, the whole safe-distancing thing became… a quickly forgotten rule. And that was that—the beginning of everything.

Advice to Future Child

Our greatest advice is to embrace your unique story and love what makes you, you. Explore the wide world we share with you—a world where Spanish lullabies blend with Appalachian sunsets, and the cheers from a soccer game are as familiar as the quiet wonders of a museum. And always remember, you carry inside a whole world of stories, traditions, and resilience that began long before you. This past is your heritage; these are the roots that will let you grow strong and reach far.

Because you have a home and families that span continents, you will always be supported and loved. Let that be your strength, let that help carry you further. The beautiful complexity of your story is your superpower. So be brave, be bold, be good, and be wild. With this foundation, you can belong anywhere and be anything you want to be.

Perspectives on Open Adoption

We believe your child's story begins with your courage. We welcome you into our lives in whatever way you are most comfortable with. If you would like a connection, our hearts and home are open. If you prefer privacy, we will respect that completely, and we will always share your child's story with honesty and love, helping them understand and value every part of who they are. Our most important promise is that your child will be deeply loved and supported to follow their dreams. If you choose us, we will always be grateful for your trust. Whatever you decide, we wish you and your child peace and light. Thank you for taking the time to learn about us.

Favorites

João

Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump (Robert Zemeckis, 1994)
Favorite Holiday/Tradition: Cooking on Christmas and Thanksgiving for a lot of people and, of course, treats and meals for Dexter, who also gets his special food on Holidays! Food is one of my many love languages :)
Hobbies/Interests: hiking, cooking, reading, computer games, soccer, movies
Dream Vacation: beach, no internet, no communication with the outside world
If I Could Choose a Superpower: make everyone laugh and have a better day!

Lorena

Favorite Movie: The Apartment (Billy Wilder, 1960)
Favorite Holiday/Tradition: My favourite tradition centers around Christmas, and of course, it stars Dexter. Every year, we get him his very own Advent calendar with treats and toys. Starting on December 1st, each night after dinner, we make a little show of it. We'll hold up the calendar, and he immediately knows what's coming, his tail starting to wag with anticipation. We'll open the little door together, and he gets his special daily treat. As the month goes on, his excitement builds and builds. But the real highlight comes on Christmas Eve. Because Dexter loves surprises and "opening things," by the moment Santa “arrives”, he goes absolutely bananas. Watching it is pure joy!
Hobbies/Interests: In no particular order: live music, yoga, hiking, reading, movies, spending time with family and friends, exploring
Dream Vacation: An endless vacation!
If I Could Choose a Superpower: the ability to speak “dog”