I have not shared much of this with all of you as of yet because I know not everyone will agree with our decision. However, I'm just bursting with excitement and want to share it with my valve "family."
Nathan and I have been married for nearly 7 years, and together for 5.5 more before that. The whole time we've been together, Nathan has known it was more than likely that I would not be able to carry a pregnancy. When I had my valve replacement in 2002, that cinched it. We could not put me or the baby in that much risk. We've explored many options, and (for many reasons) settled several years ago on pursuing surrogacy (my egg, his sperm) when we were ready to start a family.
For me, that time came over a year ago, but I knew I wanted us to have bought a house first. We finally moved into our first home in September, and of course my mind immediately went to babies... Nathan still needed time to adjust.
All this time I have been on a support group (similar to this one) for people involved in surrogacy (either as surrogates, or intended parents). I've met some wonderful women through this group and know just how beautiful this journey can be. One of those women offered to carry our child for us when we are ready. I cannot tell you how overjoyed her offer makes me. Being that I've known her online for years, I had no hesitation, but knew I needed Nathan to be completely on board.
Today, she and her husband came to visit us (I'd met them before, but Nathan had not). Everything went wonderfully. No concrete plans have been made just yet, but I feel like we're finally taking a step in the right direction. When I asked Nathan what he thought of her, he said "I'm certain she would take excellent care of our child." I loved his response. I cannot wait to go on this journey with him. I want so much to be a mom and to see him as a dad.
Nathan and I have been married for nearly 7 years, and together for 5.5 more before that. The whole time we've been together, Nathan has known it was more than likely that I would not be able to carry a pregnancy. When I had my valve replacement in 2002, that cinched it. We could not put me or the baby in that much risk. We've explored many options, and (for many reasons) settled several years ago on pursuing surrogacy (my egg, his sperm) when we were ready to start a family.
For me, that time came over a year ago, but I knew I wanted us to have bought a house first. We finally moved into our first home in September, and of course my mind immediately went to babies... Nathan still needed time to adjust.
All this time I have been on a support group (similar to this one) for people involved in surrogacy (either as surrogates, or intended parents). I've met some wonderful women through this group and know just how beautiful this journey can be. One of those women offered to carry our child for us when we are ready. I cannot tell you how overjoyed her offer makes me. Being that I've known her online for years, I had no hesitation, but knew I needed Nathan to be completely on board.
Today, she and her husband came to visit us (I'd met them before, but Nathan had not). Everything went wonderfully. No concrete plans have been made just yet, but I feel like we're finally taking a step in the right direction. When I asked Nathan what he thought of her, he said "I'm certain she would take excellent care of our child." I loved his response. I cannot wait to go on this journey with him. I want so much to be a mom and to see him as a dad.
