Hello! We’re Jos (37) and Michael (34), a loving and committed couple of 4 years on a journey to expand our family through surrogacy. Our story began with a simple question: “Do you want children?” It was a significant moment in our relationship, as we discovered our shared dream of parenthood. Coming from large families ourselves, we’ve always cherished the bonds of kinship and the joy of watching our nieces and nephews grow. Witnessing the love and growth within our extended families motivated us to embark on our own path to parenthood. We are thankful that we grew up in homes full of unconditional love, teaching us how to love: each other and our future children.
Jos:
Growing up in El Salvador was all about family. Every week, my family would gather at my grandparents’ home, a place where love and laughter filled the air. These gatherings were more than just meals; they were moments of connection and bonding that strengthened our family ties. My grandparents, with their boundless kindness and unwavering compassion, were the pillars of our family. Their selflessness and generosity had an impact on me, shaping my values and outlook on life.
As a child, I cherished the close-knit relationships with my extended family members, fostering a sense of belonging and community. To this day, I still stay in close contact with all of them. When I was in my late teens, my family made the monumental decision to move to Canada. It was a bittersweet transition, leaving behind the familiar embrace of my homeland while embarking on a new chapter in a foreign land. Yet, the values instilled by my grandparents remained steadfast, guiding me through the challenges of adaptation and integration into a new culture.
Michael:
I was raised in the country near Toronto in a tight-knit family. As the youngest of three children, I was surrounded by the affection and support of my parents and siblings. Our home was always filled with warmth and comfort, and family bonds were cherished and nurtured. Some of my earliest memories involve helping my parents collect eggs before breakfast, searching for a treasure with a map my mom drew, climbing trees and making incredible forts. One of the defining aspects of my childhood was the closeness of my grandparents and extended family, who lived within walking distance on the same road. We often shared meals and enjoyed impromptu visits, and I grew up immersed in the love and wisdom of my extended family members. I sat on my grandpa’s knee to learn my timetables before the school bus arrived, and baking cookies with grandma.
Childhood was a time of cherished moments, including family camping trips, road trips, and board game nights. Overall, my upbringing was characterized by love, laughter, and a profound sense of familial connection. Being so close with my parents, siblings, and extended family provided me with a strong foundation upon which to navigate life’s adventures.
Before we found each other, surrogacy was already a part of our future plans. It was a stroke of luck and fate that brought us together, two people with the same family goals. Over the years, we’ve nurtured our relationship, strengthening our bond through shared experiences and adventures across the globe. These moments of exploration allowed us to not only grow individually but also to deepen our love and commitment as a couple. We now have 10 frozen embryos and, as we stand at this pivotal moment in our lives, we are filled with excitement and readiness to embrace the next chapter of our journey – the journey of becoming parents.
As we look to the future, our hearts are filled with dreams of building a loving and supportive home filled with laughter, joy, and endless possibilities. We envision bedtime stories and family dinners, shared adventures and quiet moments of connection. We live in the city of Toronto and are looking forward to raising our family here. We feel this best suits our family goals because we aspire to create a nurturing environment where our children can flourish and thrive, surrounded by love and acceptance, while being in a diverse community where differences are celebrated.
The proximity of our parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews, all residing within a short drive, strengthens our familial support system. Additionally, our close friends, who have eagerly embraced their roles as aunties and uncles, stand as a testament to the excitement surrounding our journey into parenthood.
Jos: I am a science and technology enthusiast who as a child wanted to become an astronomer. (Little did I know all the physics courses I would have to take.) After obtaining my graduate degree in Biomedical Technology, I pursued a career in Clinical Research, allowing me to do what I am passionate about: making meaningful connections with patients and clinical staff while traveling. I learned how to play piano as a kid and to this day I practice when I get the chance. I started practicing hot yoga 8 years ago and still do every week, helping me stay focused and present.
Michael: My grandfather was a pilot and always told stories of all the different places he was lucky enough to travel to. He always loved to joke about travelling the world in an hour, as he was able to circle the north pole while on one of his flying jobs. After college, I decided to get into the airline industry myself. After 11 years in the industry, I still haven’t regretted the decision. I have moved my way up to become a Cabin Safety Trainer for Flight Attendants. Jos and I take advantage of the perks that come with the job. We are grateful as it will also allow our family to continue travelling and be immersed in the different cultures around the world.
As a couple, we have a deep appreciation for the outdoors. Whenever possible, we do camping trips and explore nearby hiking trails. In the city, we enjoy long walks along the waterfront, taking in the city’s beauty. Living in Toronto affords us the chance to uncover the diverse neighbourhoods it has to offer. Given our love for food, we delight in discovering new restaurants and shops to experience. And on weekends, we seize the opportunity for road trips, exploring different cities and all they have to offer.
In our journey to parenthood, we are filled with hope, excitement, and unwavering love. To the courageous woman who chooses to embark on this journey with us, know that you are not only helping us realize our dream of parenthood but also becoming an integral part of our family story. We eagerly anticipate the day when our arms are filled with the precious gift of a child, and our hearts are overflowing with gratitude and love. We want the surrogate to have a comfortable and successful pregnancy. All pregnancy-related expenses will be taken care of.
Throughout the pregnancy, we seek to maintain an open line of communication, encouraging our surrogate to reach out to us freely. We also wish to participate in her prenatal appointments, particularly those significant milestones like ultrasounds, although our physical presence may not always be feasible. Post-pregnancy, we prefer to limit our contact with the surrogate, unless a meaningful connection is formed and mutually desired. However, we fully respect her choice regarding post-pregnancy communication and are entirely supportive, whether she prefers to stay in touch or not.
To the extraordinary individual who chooses to embark on this journey with us, we owe you a debt of gratitude beyond words. Your willingness to be our gestational surrogate is an act of profound generosity and compassion. You are a bright light illuminating our path to parenthood, and for that, we are forever thankful.