This year, the twinkling lights feel a little brighter. The music sounds a little sweeter. And the quiet moments? They hold more meaning than ever before.
Because this year, we’re celebrating our first holiday season as parents*.
After years of hoping, waiting, and countless prayers whispered into the night, we’re finally here, rocking our baby to sleep under the glow of the tree, hanging a “Baby’s First” ornament, and making space in our hearts and our home for new memories and new traditions.
But we didn’t get here on our own.
Our journey to parenthood hasn’t been simple or typical. It took the compassion, strength, and generosity of several extraordinary women to bring our family to life. Our egg donor gave us the incredible gift of possibility. And our surrogate carried our hopes, literally, until the day we held our child in our arms. These women will forever be part of our story, and we are endlessly thankful, today and every day.
A Different Kind of Holiday
For years, the holidays were a time filled with both joy and quiet sadness. We smiled through family gatherings while privately aching for the child we hadn’t yet met. We hung stockings that felt just a little too few. We held space in our hearts for what we hoped the future would bring.
This year, that future is here.
We’re starting new traditions, like reading bedtime stories by the fire, taking too many photos in matching pajamas, and watching our baby’s eyes light up at every sparkle, sound, and song. We’re discovering how special it is to experience the magic of the season through their eyes. The smallest moments, like tiny fingers gripping wrapping paper or sleepy snuggles after a big day, feel like the most profound blessings.
And while our days are now filled with bottles, naps, and baby giggles, our hearts are filled with something far greater: gratitude.
More Than Just One Gift
We often hear people say how much of a “miracle” our child is, and we agree. But behind that miracle are real people. Our egg donor gave us the biological chance to grow our family, something we couldn’t do on our own. She made it possible for our baby to exist.
Our surrogate, with grace and strength, carried our baby for nine months. She walked through every appointment, every milestone, every discomfort, with our child in her care and our hearts in her hands.
Together, these women gave us something we’ll never be able to fully repay: the gift of parenthood.
We didn’t take one path to get here, we needed a village. And this holiday season, that truth feels even more powerful.
Forever Grateful
This December, as we light candles, hang stockings, and wrap gifts for the very first time as parents, we do so with deep reflection. We know how rare and sacred this moment is.
We see our baby smile, and we think of you.
We hear tiny coos from the bassinet and remember every step, every sacrifice, every act of love that brought us here.
We are thankful in ways words can’t express, not just for the outcome, but for the people who made it possible.
To our egg donor, our surrogate, and the team at Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, thank you. You gave us more than a child. You gave us a future, a family, and a holiday season we’ll never forget.
From our little family of three to you and yours—may your holidays be filled with the same love and magic you helped create.
*Submitted anonymously
