Amanda P.

I was born on July 4th, which meant every birthday growing up felt like a celebration the whole world was in on. My dad always joked that the fireworks were his gift to me - and honestly, having everyone off work and eager to gather made it the most magical birthday a kid could ask for.

But perhaps the most meaningful story about me is this: my husband and I met on a study abroad trip to Vietnam. We went to the same college but somehow never crossed paths on campus - it took traveling thousands of miles away for us to find each other. My parents are Vietnamese and immigrated here, so returning to Vietnam carried a lot of heart for me. I never could have imagined that trip would be where I met my life partner. We were so young and neither of us knew we were building a life together - but from the moment we met, we never stopped talking. Now 11 years later, we're married and excited for this chapter of our lives together.

Home and connection are at the heart of everything I love. Some of my favorite moments are the simplest ones - baking, cooking homemade meals, browsing the farmer's market on a weekend morning, taking long walks through beautiful neighborhoods or out in nature, and curling up with a good book.

My husband tends a small garden of tomatoes and roses and I love being right there with him - planting, watering, and watching things grow. There's something so satisfying about eventually sharing that harvest with the friends, family, and neighbors around us.

Spending time with our families is one of my greatest joys. We feel incredibly lucky that both of our families are rooted in Southern California, which means we can gather whenever we want - and we do. Holiday dinners, Vietnamese New Year celebrations, spontaneous weekend get-togethers. Our lives have always been full of that kind of warmth, and it's something we cherish deeply.

One fun fact about me is that twins seem to run everywhere in my family. I have an identical twin brother, twin cousins, and even twin uncles - so apparently it’s a family tradition at this point! My twin brother and I are best friends, even though we ended up taking very different paths in life. I’m definitely the more analytical, business-oriented one, while he’s much more creative and artistic (he studied film). Even with our differences, we’ve always stayed incredibly close and still share many of the same interests.

Another big part of my story is how I met my spouse. We actually met while studying abroad in Vietnam at the same university, despite never having crossed paths before. What makes the story especially funny is that I’m normally very thoughtful, cautious, and slow when it comes to major life decisions - but after just five days, I asked her to be my girlfriend. That was completely out of character for me, but something about our connection just felt undeniable. More than 11 years later, we’ve been together ever since, and it’s still the best decision I’ve ever made.

Growing up in a big family taught me that the best memories usually happen in the ordinary moments, and becoming a parent has always felt like the next chapter I was meant for.

Some of our favorite moments are the simplest ones - morning coffee, long walks, family dinners, traveling together, and spending quality time with the people we love most and we can’t wait to someday experience those moments with a child.

My spouse and I have been together for over 11 years and recently celebrated getting officially married. Over the years, we’ve intentionally built a life centered around love, stability, hard work, and family. Long before we officially got married, we were already building the kind of partnership rooted in loyalty, teamwork, and shared values — the kind of home we’ve always hoped to someday share with a child.

I grew up in a close-knit family with three siblings, including my identical twin brother, and I’ve always loved the energy, support, and connection that comes from being surrounded by family. That experience shaped the kind of father and family life I hope to create with my spouse - one filled with warmth, laughter, strong values, and unconditional love. We were both raised with Christian values, and those principles of kindness, compassion, gratitude, and family continue to guide our lives today.

We also both come from modest, hardworking families, which gave us a deep appreciation for perseverance, responsibility, and not taking things for granted. Everything we’ve built together has come through years of dedication, patience, and intentional planning, and we’re proud of the life we’ve created side by side.

In our everyday life, we genuinely enjoy the simple things. I love traveling, exploring new coffee shops, spending time outdoors, hiking, golfing with friends, watching and playing sports, and being in nature. Some of my favorite moments, though, are the quiet ones spent with family at holiday gatherings, dinner together, or simply relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. Quality time means everything to me, especially time with my spouse and loved ones.

I’m also very close with my two nieces, who are 4 and 6, and spending time with them has only deepened my excitement about becoming a parent. Watching children experience the world with curiosity, excitement, and joy is something truly special, and it has reinforced how much I want to share life’s experiences with a child of my own. I see the love and joy they bring to every situation and want to bring that joy around for ourselves. 

Professionally, I work for a real estate company in Santa Monica, and real estate is something I’m passionate about even outside of work. My spouse and I are both hardworking and intentional people. Over the years, we’ve worked incredibly hard to build stable careers, create a loving home, and thoughtfully prepare ourselves emotionally and financially for this journey into parenthood.

We truly believe children bring an incredible amount of joy, purpose, and love into the world. More than anything, I want to become a father, create lasting family traditions, and give our future child a life filled with support, opportunity, warmth, and unconditional love.

We are so grateful to even be on this journey, and deeply appreciative of the incredible person who may help us grow our family.