Jim & Scott

Scott is an all-around great person and will be an amazing father. He is exceptionally kind, compassionate, and fair-minded, and always makes it a priority to treat others with respect. While he has a strong sense of self, he also knows to not take himself too seriously — I often find him laughing and joking with friends and family, and his quick wit is legendary. I think Scott’s love of life simply rubs off on others. I see this when we visit our nieces and nephews — no one can make them giggle quite like he can. And I see this in the way he often lights up my day — whether it’s with a kind word, or a freshly baked babka. I love and admire him deeply!

Scott’s Favs

• Vacation Spot: Paris
• Sports Team: Texas Longhorns
• Dessert: Apple Cobbler or Chocolate Babka
• Ice Cream Flavor: Tin Roof
• Historical Figure I’d Want to Meet: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Scott’s Bucket List

• Send my children to college 
• Go on an African safari 
• Translate my grandfather’s German recipe book 
• Take my family to Israel 
• Go to the Olympics

Jim is kind, thoughtful, and intelligent. He is focused on doing the right thing and cares deeply for his family and friends. He loves nature and is always teaching me new things about animals and the world around us. Regularly, he can be found capturing our adventures, with a camera or sketchbook. He enjoys spending time in the yard tending to the vegetables, grilling, or reading in the garden. Jim will be a loving father. As an uncle, he often does whatever it takes to make our nieces and nephews smile, whether playing house, reading books, or just being silly. These experiences have further fueled his excitement to bring a child into our home.

Jim’s Favs

• Musical Instrument: Trumpet
• Author: Armistead Maupin
• Ice Cream Flavor: Vanilla Salted Almond Toffee
• Sports Team: Baltimore Ravens
• Dessert: Lemon Icebox Pie

Jim’s Bucket List

• Learn to sculpt 
• Write a book 
• Visit the Great Pyramids 
• Hike the Inca Trail 
• See a blue whale in person

We live in the San Francisco Bay Area in vibrant San Ramon. Our house sits in a valley, with a view of beautiful rolling hills. Since moving in, we’ve planted apple, pear, fig, and lemon trees, as well as our own butterfly garden. 

Whenever we are in the mood, there is so much to see and do nearby. Whether we are exploring a new park in San Ramon, trying a new restaurant in Oakland, shopping in San Francisco, bundling up at the beach, or hiking through the mountains, it’s all close by.

We both come from families that celebrate difference. As members of the LGBTQ+ community, we have learned that there is no substitute for being proud of who you are and where you come from. Although we each come from different religious backgrounds, we find ways to honor and celebrate both Scott’s Jewish faith and Jim’s Christian traditions, providing for a rich cultural foundation that we hope to share with a child.

Our Cat: Ricky is super cuddly and wants nothing more than to be held. He enjoys chasing lasers, napping in the sun, and spying on the fish in our fish tank.

Family is our top priority.  Our weekly bowling league is a great opportunity to catch up with Jim’s parents, grandmother, and sister.  We enjoy holidays with our parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews, where celebrations involve lots of schmoozing, cooking, and entertaining kids.  Family vacations are a regular occurrence. We recently took trips to Disneyland and Yellowstone, and are already planning the next get-together.