Seven years ago, I stepped into the unknown and began my first surrogacy journey. I carried a little boy for a couple who had been trying for years to grow their family. Funny enough, we were in the same line of work, and that connection became the foundation of a friendship that grew into something much more.

Throughout the pregnancy, they supported me in ways I never expected. And in turn, they mentored not just me, but also my husband and my brother, helping us grow our family restoration business.

Going into that first journey, I thought it might be strange to have the intended father in the delivery room. Birth is such a vulnerable, personal moment. But as delivery day approached, I reflected on the love and support they had shown me, and I knew in my heart it wouldn’t be right to keep him out of the room when his child was being born.

With the intended father holding my right hand and the intended mother on my left, their little boy entered the world—and tears streamed down all our faces. It was a moment I’ll never forget. A year later, I carried their second son. Those two little boys, now nearly 7 and 6, will always hold a special place in my heart.

I honestly thought my surrogacy journey ended there. But something in me said, try again.