We met in Phoenix — when Peter was in Pediatric residency and Mark (previously a science teacher and administrator) was pursuing his Masters in nursing. That was when fate intervened, orchestrating a serendipitous encounter. It was as if the universe called out to us when Mark stumbled upon Peter’s captivating photo online, setting the stage for a connection that defied all expectations. Mark surprised Peter with a first date trip to the aquarium, without knowing that Peter was obsessed with fish and aquatic life. Amidst the enchanting depths of the aquarium and the kaleidoscope of swirling, colorful sea creatures, our conversations flowed effortlessly with wonderment and joy. It was in those magical moments that we first saw the real possibility of a future together. It has since been ten years, and we have established our careers, married each other, traveled the world, and are now excited to start a family.
Our upbringing and family:
Peter: I was born and raised in New Orleans East, Louisiana, to hardworking Vietnamese immigrants who had escaped the war. Growing up as the middle child among six brothers, I learned from my family a strong work ethic and making the most of what we had. Despite our challenging neighborhood, we found solace, strength, and unity in our close-knit extended family and local community. My childhood experiences instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and compassion for those facing adversity. Witnessing the struggles of my community firsthand fueled my desire to make a positive impact in the world, and eventually pursuing healthcare. I hope that I can share that same resilience, hope, love, and passion for life with our kids.
Mark: I grew up in the suburbs of New York City, surrounded by the love and warmth of my nurturing and supportive parents. With an older sister by my side, my childhood was characterized by a close-knit family that provided a loving environment filled with laughter and unwavering familial bonds. From the earliest moment I could remember, my parents imparted upon me the most precious of gifts: the values of love, compassion, and empathy. They showed me that the world could be a beautiful place when approached with hope, curiosity, an open heart, and a willingness to understand and uplift others. They taught me the values of honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity, as well as treating others with respect and dignity. I learned to appreciate the diversity and vibrancy of the world, and to embrace the differences and strengths that make each individual unique. I hope to honor my parents’ legacy of kindness, generosity, unconditional love, and spirit of optimism by instilling those same values in my own children, with the hope that they become their guiding life principles, as well.
Our Journey to start our family:
Now married for 5 years, we are excited to start a family of our own. We have 4 PGS tested frozen embryos in the waiting.
Our home/neighbourhood and plans to raise our child(ren):
We envision raising our children in a safe and stable environment where they can learn to be kind, independent individuals who live to better themselves and their surrounding community. We hope that they can grow up alongside other children and families that support each other and enrich our community. We live in Silicon Valley, where people come from all over the world with different backgrounds and varied traditions. Here, we hope to raise our children in a diverse and inclusive community where they can also feel safe being part of an LGBT family. We hope this setting will help foster empathy, tolerance, and global awareness, as well as an appreciation and respect for all humankind.
The Bay Area also offers a plethora of outdoor recreational activities for nature-loving families like ours to enjoy, from pristine beaches to scenic hiking trails and world-class parks. Whether it’s surfing along the coast, hiking or skiing in the mountains, or exploring the plants and animals of the redwood forests, our children will have many opportunities to connect with nature and lead active, healthy lifestyles. In the city, with a thriving arts and cultural scene, our children will have the opportunity to explore their creativity, cultivate their interests, and gain exposure to various forms of art, music, and theater. Additionally, we hope to engage our kids through neighborhood events, community organizations, and volunteer initiatives. Overall, raising children here will provide the strong sense of community and relationships that we seek. It will provide a unique blend of cultural diversity, academic excellence, outdoor recreation, and innovation that will provide an enriching and dynamic environment for our family to thrive and grow.
Our occupations:
Peter is an allergy doctor, spending time helping patients and their families navigate everything from the anxiety of food allergies to finding relief in their asthma, eczema, and seasonal allergies.
Mark is an inpatient registered nurse on a Medical / Surgical unit, with additional past experience in oncology and orthopedics. Amidst the fast-paced environment of the hospital, he tends to the needs of individual patients and families, whether it is through monitoring a patient’s condition, helping to comfort and give reassurance, providing education, or coordinating care with the interdisciplinary team.
Our clinical roles may differ, but we have a shared commitment to serving our patients with kindness, empathy, and professionalism as we help them on their journeys to recovering their health and wellness.
Our hobbies:
From exploring new destinations to tending to our own garden, we cherish the opportunity to immerse ourselves in new cultures, ideas, and experiences. We enjoy traveling, getting lost in our own city, and venturing out to explore other countries when the opportunity arises. Exploring our worldwide communities near and far allows us to broaden our perspectives, deepen our understanding of the world, and forge meaningful connections with people from all over the world. Whether wandering through bustling city streets, navigating tranquil countryside paths, or hiking along forest trails, we relish the chance to discover hidden gems, savor local cuisine, and learn from the rich tapestry of cultures we encounter along the way.
Closer to home, our garden serves as a tranquil sanctuary where we nurture vibrant blooms, lush foliage, and our vegetable garden. Amidst the colors and plant life, we find solace and renewal, connecting with the natural world and watching the animals—playful birds, bustling insects, squirrels, and the neighborhood skunk and possum who revisit from time to time. Their presence draw forth a sense of wonder, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of stewardship and respect for our environment.
Back indoors, we enjoy new shows on TV (Mark a big sci-fi nerd!), reading, listening to music, or exploring new recipes. We also enjoy our date nights, venturing out to the local grocery store where we go up and down every aisle to see which other foods we can explore. An occasional successful new recipe becomes a celebration of creativity and the shared experience of breaking bread together — and finds its place in our recipe binder.
In these everyday rituals and experiences, we find meaning, connection, and a profound sense of gratitude for the beauty and abundance of life. Each moment is a precious gift—a chance to explore, create, and savor the richness of the world we inhabit together
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How we will support our surrogate during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and post partum:
To our prospective surrogate:
As intended parents, we want like to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the extraordinary gift you are offering us—the opportunity to welcome a precious little one into our lives. Your decision to embark on this journey with us is nothing short of a miracle, and we are honored to have you by our side every step of the way.
As we prepare for this incredible journey together, we want you to know that our commitment to you goes beyond words. We are here to support you in every way possible, both emotionally and financially, to ensure your well-being throughout this journey. During pregnancy, we want you to feel comfortable, supported, and cherished every step of the way. We understand the physical and emotional challenges that come with carrying a child, and we are committed to being there for you through it all. Your health and happiness are our top priorities, and we will do everything in our power to ensure your personal health and for you to feel valued and respected throughout this journey.
And as we welcome the newest member of our family into the world, our support for you will only deepen. We will be there for you during the postpartum period, offering the care and resources you need to recover and thrive. Whether it is access to medical check-ups, lactation consultants, or mental health support services, we will ensure you have everything you need to feel supported and cared for.
Above all else, we want you to know how much we appreciate everything you are doing for us and other prospective families. We are forever grateful for the love and light you are bringing into our lives, and we cannot wait to embark on this incredible journey with you.
Our Relationship with our Surrogate:
As we value kindness and connectedness to family and each other, we hope to find a surrogate who shares in these values and vision. We believe that kindness is the cornerstone of a better world and of meaningful relationships, and we hope to find a like-minded individual who embraces this principle wholeheartedly. Throughout this journey, we aspire to cultivate a relationship built on mutual respect, understanding, and compassion. From there, we also hope to form a lasting connection that extends beyond the bounds of this journey. We envision a relationship where we can keep in contact and create a sense of extended family—a community of love and support where we can share in each other’s joys and celebrate the precious moments, milestones, and triumphs of our growing families.
Ultimately, we hope to find a surrogate who shares our values, embraces kindness, and is open to forming a meaningful and lasting connection with us. We believe that by nurturing a relationship built on trust, respect, and mutual admiration, we can embark on this journey together with confidence, joy, and gratitude.