Parenthood doesn’t have to be traditional to be real.

Starting or growing a family doesn’t always happen the way we imagine. For many people, the path to parenthood can be long, emotional, and full of unexpected turns. I meet hopeful parents every day who have dreamed of holding their baby for years—people who have faced medical challenges, endured loss, or simply reached a moment in life where they know their next step is finding a new way forward.

That’s where surrogacy comes in.

For me, surrogacy is not just a medical process. It’s a story of courage, trust, and connection. It’s a partnership between those who long to become parents and the incredible women who choose to help make that dream possible. Every time I see those two worlds meet, I’m reminded that family isn’t defined by biology alone—it’s built through love, intention, and the willingness to open your heart.

The Beginning: When Hope Meets Action

When someone reaches out to Giving Tree Surrogacy, I know they’re doing something extraordinary—they’re turning hope into action. That first conversation is often filled with emotion: relief, nervousness, curiosity, excitement.

I take the time to listen—to understand their story, what brought them here, and what they envision for their journey to parenthood. Each path is unique. Some of our intended parents are cancer survivors who’ve faced fertility challenges after treatment. Others are LGBTQ+ couples or single parents by choice. Some have experienced loss, while others simply know that surrogacy is their best chance to build the family they’ve always dreamed of.

No matter their background, what they all share is the same deep desire: to welcome a child and experience the joy of parenthood.

At Giving Tree, my role—and the role of our entire team—is to make that possible through a process that feels personal, transparent, and full of care.

How Matching Works: Finding the Right Connection

Matching intended parents with a surrogate is one of my favorite parts of this journey. It’s often described as putting together a puzzle—and that’s exactly how it feels. Every person brings their own story, values, and hopes, and my goal is to find where those pieces fit perfectly together.

After an initial intake call with our team, I schedule an introduction meeting with intended parents. I like to call it the “wish list” call, because it’s where I get to learn what matters most to them. Beyond the medical or logistical factors—like location, fertility clinic requirements, or timing—I want to know what kind of connection they hope to have with their surrogate.

Do they imagine being involved in every appointment, or would they prefer a bit more distance and privacy?Do they want someone who shares similar values, lifestyle choices, or family dynamics?Sometimes the answers are practical; other times, they’re beautifully emotional.

Once I understand what they’re looking for, I start sharing surrogate profiles that might align. I always ask for complete honesty—if a profile doesn’t feel right, I want to know. That feedback helps refine the process so we can find the right match faster.

And one of the things I love most about Giving Tree is that our wait time for a match is typically very short. That means we’re able to introduce you to potential surrogates quickly and help you move forward at a pace that feels right.

When the Connection Happens

There’s a moment during every journey that takes my breath away: when intended parents and a surrogate meet for the first time. We call it the “match call.”

Beforehand, I send both parties a little “cheat sheet” so they know what to expect. It’s not about rehearsing—it’s about helping everyone feel at ease and ready to have an open, authentic conversation. During the call, I guide the discussion through the important topics—medical preferences, communication style, expectations during pregnancy, delivery plans, even how they might want to handle things like social media or breast milk.

But beyond the logistics, what truly matters is the connection. You can feel it when it’s right.Sometimes it’s a shared laugh, a similar perspective, or an instant sense of trust.

I’ve seen matches where the energy between both sides just clicks—they finish each other’s sentences, or they already talk like old friends. Those are the moments that remind me why this work is so special.

And if it doesn’t feel right, that’s okay too. I always tell intended parents that saying “no” to a match that doesn’t feel aligned is just as important as saying “yes” to the one that does. Every step you take should feel intentional and right for you. 🎧 Want to dive deeper? Tune in to our podcast, where we discuss real stories, expert insights, and the heart behind every surrogacy journey.

More Than a Process—It’s a Partnership

Once both parties agree to move forward, the journey begins in earnest. Behind the scenes, I coordinate the next steps: sending medical records to your fertility clinic, confirming pre-approvals, and introducing you to your case coordinator, who will guide you through screening, legal contracts, and finally, embryo transfer.

From the moment of “yes” to the moment of transfer, the timeline usually takes three to five months, depending on clinic and legal timelines. But through it all, we’re right there with you—checking in, answering questions, celebrating milestones.

Sometimes it feels like a series of little victories: your surrogate’s medical screening gets approved, your contracts are signed, your transfer date is scheduled. Each step brings you closer to the moment you’ve been dreaming of.

And as you move from one stage to the next, you’ll meet more members of our team—but you never lose the support of the people who started with you. At Giving Tree, we don’t just hand you off from one department to another; we build your team around you, adding new layers of expertise and care with each phase of your journey.

Trusting the Process—and Yourself

One of the most valuable things I’ve learned in my years working with intended parents is that surrogacy requires trust—trust in the process, in your surrogate, and in yourself.

It’s okay to have questions, to feel unsure, or to be nervous. This is a big decision, and you deserve the space to process it fully. That’s why I always encourage open communication. If something doesn’t make sense or you think of new questions after a call, reach out. There’s no such thing as asking too much when it comes to something this important.

Surrogacy isn’t just about medical appointments and contracts—it’s about building a connection strong enough to carry your dream safely into reality.

The Beauty of Surrogacy

I’ve seen countless matches that felt like fate. One that will always stay with me was between an intended mother who dreamed of a natural, holistic pregnancy experience and a surrogate who had delivered all her own children at home. From their first conversation, there was an unspoken understanding between them. Their values aligned, their visions matched, and the energy they shared filled every moment of that call.

Not every match looks the same. Some intended parents prefer a highly structured medical process with clear boundaries. Others want a more open, collaborative experience. Both are valid—and at Giving Tree, we honor every approach.

What matters most is that each journey reflects the values and comfort of everyone involved. Because at the end of the day, surrogacy is built on respect, empathy, and a shared goal: bringing new life into the world in the most thoughtful and loving way possible.

Why I Believe in This Path

I’ve worked in surrogacy for years, and I still get emotional every time a parent sends us a photo of their newborn or shares their birth story. There’s something indescribably moving about knowing that a dream that once felt impossible became real—because someone dared to take the first step.

Choosing surrogacy is choosing hope. It’s saying, “I still believe in this dream.”And it’s giving yourself permission to receive help, to trust others, and to walk toward the future you deserve.

If you’ve ever wondered whether surrogacy might be right for you, my answer is simple: explore it. Ask questions. Learn about it. Because sometimes, the family you’ve been dreaming of is just waiting for you to take that first, brave step forward.

At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we’ll be right here to walk beside you—every step of the way. 🎧 Want to dive deeper? Tune in to our podcast, where we discuss real stories, expert insights, and the heart behind every surrogacy journey.