I am no stranger to the unique ways families can come together. I was adopted as an infant into a loving home. My parents had already adopted another daughter two years before me, and then completed our family with a biological son two years after I was born. Growing up in this blended family gave me a special perspective on love, connection, and what it truly means to be part of a family. Later in life, I was able to complete my own personal puzzle by meeting my biological mother in 2008 and, over a decade later, traveling to Colombia in 2019 to meet my biological father.
I married young and was blessed with two daughters, born in 2011 and 2015. While their father and I are no longer together, my children are my heart. Family has always been the center of my life, and I cannot imagine a life without my girls.
As my 30th birthday approached in 2020, I felt a strong desire to give back, to do something big, meaningful, and lasting for someone else. I reflected on my life and realized I had often prioritized my own wants and needs. I wanted this next chapter to be about someone else—about helping others build the family they dreamed of. My initial research led me to consider becoming an egg donor, but soon I discovered gestational surrogacy. It resonated with me immediately. Pregnancy had always been a smooth experience for me, and the idea of helping a family grow ignited a deep passion within me.
Through my research, I discovered Circle Surrogacy. In early spring 2019, I submitted my application to become a gestational carrier. The process began with conversations with Circle’s screening team to understand my intentions and ensure I was mentally prepared. I also met with a psychologist who assessed my readiness and created a personal profile that intended parents could view. Soon, I received a profile of a couple searching for a surrogate. From the moment I read about them, I knew I wanted to meet these dads. The feeling was mutual. Our first Skype call was nerve-wracking, but our conversation flowed easily, and any anxiety I had quickly disappeared.
Over the following weeks, we stayed in touch, continuing to get to know each other while Circle’s legal team prepared contracts and scheduled my medical screening at the Los Angeles fertility clinic chosen by the dads.
In early September 2019, I traveled to L.A. for the screening. It was exciting and made everything feel real. However, my recent trip to South America meant a short delay to ensure I had not contracted the Zika virus. By late October, I returned for our first embryo transfer. The embryo’s quality was low, but we moved forward. On November 8, bloodwork confirmed I was pregnant—but heartbreakingly, by my first ultrasound on November 21, I experienced a miscarriage.
The support I received from the dads, Circle, and the clinic was unwavering. They prioritized my physical and emotional well-being, emphasizing that this loss was no fault of mine. I faced weeks of bleeding, nausea, and emotional turmoil, yet their care reminded me I could continue this journey. The miscarriage was devastating, but it did not deter me. We were ready to try again. The dads began selecting a new egg donor, and by February 2020, a fresh batch of embryos was created. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced clinic closures, delaying our next transfer.
Throughout the months of waiting, we maintained contact through texts and video chats. By summer 2020, I was finally able to return to Los Angeles for our second embryo transfer in early July. This time, hope outweighed nerves, though I was still anxious through the early bloodwork and ultrasounds at my local monitoring clinic. On July 27, my boyfriend joined me for support at the first ultrasound, and we were overjoyed to confirm the embryo was growing.
This pregnancy progressed smoothly, and I shared it with a small circle of supportive friends and family, keeping the focus on the dads’ journey. By 20 weeks, I felt confident everything was going well and began telling coworkers about the pregnancy.
On October 27, we had the 20-week anatomy scan. The dads traveled twelve hours to meet me in person for the first time. Witnessing their reactions as the technician examined my growing belly was unforgettable. Their expressions shifted from anticipation to awe, fully realizing their daughter was developing inside me.
The dads have become a meaningful part of my life. We text regularly, share updates about my daughters, and they check in to make sure I am well. They express endless gratitude for what I am doing, though I often feel I am the one receiving the gift—of connection, love, and shared joy.
The pregnancy had its challenges: IVF hormone injections became increasingly painful after 15 weeks, morning sickness and heartburn were relentless, and navigating Covid while pregnant made every moment more difficult. Yet pregnancy gave me a profound sense of strength. Being part of this couple’s journey—the challenges they faced as a gay couple trying to grow their family—has filled me with pride. I am just days away from completing this journey, preparing to deliver their daughter into their arms. I cannot wait to witness their joy, to see the smiles, tears, and pure love that will mark the beginning of their life as a family with their little girl.
