Mauricio Lozano and Erik Villagomez, both from Charlotte, North Carolina, recently welcomed their first child, a son, through private adoption. Their journey to parenthood was not a short one. It took two and a half years and included two failed matches before they finally brought their son home. Looking back, they both describe the experience as the realization of their greatest dream.

“The biggest of dreams came true with our son,” said Mauricio. “We feel at peace and extremely lucky and grateful. Not everyone gets their dream, and we did.”

Mauricio and Erik met in New York City in 2018 after connecting on the now-defunct dating app Chappy. What began as a spark grew quickly into a deep relationship, fueled by shared values and a common vision of the future. One of the most important things they discovered early on was that both of them wanted to become fathers.

“We both come from big families,” Erik explained. “It was our heart’s desire to replicate those experiences and provide that for a child.”

That dream wasn’t always easy to hold onto. Like many LGBTQ+ people, they encountered barriers when beginning their adoption journey. “Some cases that called for ‘traditional families’ or that blatantly said ‘no LGBTQ families or couples,’” Mauricio shared. “But it did not discourage us.”

Despite the challenges, the couple persisted. They found the right support through A Step Ahead Adoptions and Courageous Hearts Agency, whose guidance and advocacy helped them navigate the process and prepare for parenthood.

When their son finally arrived, life changed immediately. Parenthood, they say, has been both the most rewarding and the most challenging chapter of their lives.

“The best part is just watching him grow day by day,” said Mauricio. “Even in the exhausting moments, it feels fascinating. He changes so quickly. You blink and he’s doing something new.”

The hardest adjustment, according to Erik, has been the shift to newborn life. Sleepless nights, interrupted meals, and the constant evolution of daily routines have stretched them in new ways. Still, both describe the challenges with awe rather than complaint.

Their advice to other LGBTQ+ people considering adoption is to pursue the path with courage and persistence. “If it’s something your heart desires, it’s definitely a fight worth getting into,” Mauricio said. “Parenting is the most human experience, and no one should be prevented from it.”

Today, Mauricio, who works as a journalist, and Erik, a lawyer, are settling into life as new dads, grateful for the journey that brought their son to them. Their story is a reminder that while the path to parenthood can be long and sometimes difficult, it is always worth it when love is the guiding force.


*Names have been changed for privacy reasons.