As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child—but for some, it also takes a village to create one. For hopeful parents navigating infertility, the road to parenthood can be winding and uncertain. But thanks to the incredible gift of egg donors and surrogates, many families—like Zach and Leslie’s—have found their way to a long-awaited “yes.”
Zach and Leslie are proud parents today because two extraordinary women stepped forward to help make their dream possible: one, an anonymous egg donor who gave them the genetic gift to create their embryo; the other, a selfless surrogate who lovingly carried their daughter into the world. This is the story of how their family was built—not just by love, but by the courage, generosity, and compassion of others.
A Journey Begins
Zach and Leslie, both teachers, met on Match.com and were married in 2016. When they later began trying to grow their family, they learned that due to Leslie’s medical history, carrying a pregnancy herself would not be possible. Surrogacy became their best—and safest—path forward.
They began their fertility journey with IVF, hoping to use Leslie’s eggs. But the first retrieval was unsuccessful, and while a second attempt yielded 10 eggs, only one genetically healthy embryo remained after testing. Though it felt fragile, that single embryo represented enormous hope.
A Surrogate Match—and a Leap of Faith
Partnering with Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, Zach and Leslie entered the matching process and quickly connected with Bianca, the very first surrogate who viewed their profile. From their first Zoom meeting, the connection felt undeniable. Leslie described it as “the most high-stakes blind date you could ever imagine.” But it wasn’t just compatibility—it was alignment in values, hopes, and heart.
“Being asked to put my trust and most precious embaby in the hands—and literal womb—of a complete stranger was a next-level leap of faith,” Leslie says. “But I’m certain God’s hand was on this match. Bianca had my full confidence that she would care for our future little one as if it were her own.”
Heartbreak and a New Direction
The first embryo transfer was successful—at first. Bianca became pregnant, but tragically miscarried at six weeks. The heartbreak was immense for everyone involved.
“Bianca had put her whole heart into this journey. She bore the weight of the IVF process and the physical pain of miscarriage,” Leslie says. “The depth of our gratitude for her was endless, even in the midst of loss.”
After much reflection, Leslie and Zach chose a new path: egg donation. Rather than undergoing another egg retrieval with uncertain results, they turned to a donor to help create new embryos.
Leslie shared openly on social media:
“We are intended parents through surrogacy, using donor eggs. Our future miracle will be biologically related to Zach, but not to me. I’ll be relying on a team of two incredible women: one who gave her eggs—her biology—and one who will give her womb, her body, and her heart.”
She continued, “Infertility is grief on top of grief. But I’m in awe of the miracle this journey makes possible. Genetics do not define love. This child will be wholly and completely ours.”
A Second Chance—and a Joyful Reveal
With a new embryo created through egg donation, Bianca returned for a second transfer. This time, the pregnancy progressed beautifully.
After crossing into the second trimester, Leslie and Zach joyfully shared the news—they were expecting a baby girl. To celebrate, they sent gender-reveal cake pops to loved ones across the country and gathered via Zoom the day after Thanksgiving to announce the happy news.
“IVF often robs you of many surprises,” Leslie says, “but we wanted to give our family this one moment of joy.”
A Miracle Named Lily Bea
On May 25, Zach and Leslie’s daughter, Lily Bea, was born. Her name is a tribute to her great-grandmother and to the woman who carried her—Bianca, whom they affectionately call “Bibi.”
“To give her body, mind, and spirit to help create our family is the most amazing gift,” Leslie says. “Bianca is our real-life angel on earth.”
Bianca shared her experience, saying:
“Never in a million years did I think I’d be part of something so powerful. Carrying Lily for Zach and Leslie was an honor. To Lily: You are so loved and surrounded by people who gave everything to bring you here.”
Life After the Storm
Now, as a family of three, Zach, Leslie, and Lily are savoring every moment.
“It took so much energy, worry, and faith to bring Lily into the world. Now we get to focus on just parenting her—not that it’s easy, but we’re so grateful for this chapter,” Leslie says.
They even created a personalized children’s book to one day explain to Lily how she came into the world—with the help of an egg donor and a surrogate who loved her before she was even born.
Help Us Help Others
Today, many couples—just like Zach and Leslie —are waiting to be matched with a surrogate, an egg donor or both! We urgently need qualified individuals willing to step into these life-changing roles.
If you’ve ever considered becoming an egg donor or a surrogate, or know someone who might, please visit www.createahappyfamily.com to learn more. Both roles are fairly compensated and deeply supported—but more than anything, they are remembered forever in the lives they help create.
Even if now’s not the right time for you, please consider sharing Zach and Leslie’s story—because someone, somewhere, might be the missing piece in someone else’s miracle.
📸 All photos courtesy of Enchanted Birthing Services.
