Our Story: Branka and Rick
With Gratitude Thank you for reading our story. It is incredible to think that you might be the one to grow our baby; how surreal and beautiful is that! Never in our wildest imaginations did we think this was a possibility, but you looking through our profile is the first step in building a beautiful connection.
About Us We are Branka and Rick, a couple from Edmonton who met in a classroom in 1999. Love found us when and where we least expected. Both of us believe in education and are history buffs, so it is no wonder we exchanged vows in 2007 at the historic McKay Avenue School. Rick is thoughtful, calm, and tech-savvy (the resident “fix-it” guy); Branka is warm, insightful, and passionate about teaching, community building, and finding the perfect book for any occasion. Friends describe us as compassionate, playful, and deeply loyal. We value honesty, kindness, and thoughtful conversation. We are always the ones who remember birthdays, offer a helping hand, and organize spontaneous family dinners just because. We believe in being the “helpers” in our circle, and we cannot wait to bring that same devotion to parenthood.
Our Family Roots Branka grew up in Edmonton, and Rick’s family moved from Ontario to Alberta when he was eight. Each of us comes from a family of three siblings, and we remain close to our parents and extended relatives. Holidays are filled with laughter, storytelling, and cherished traditions—like our big family Sunday dinners and shared holiday baking—each one waiting to be passed on to a child of our own. Family means everything to us; we are surrounded by an incredible support system of friends and relatives who are just as eager as we are to welcome a little one into our circle.
Our Path to You Our path to parenthood has spanned more than a decade, filled with hope, heartbreak, and resilience. We have pursued every possible avenue to start our family, traveling across Canada and the U.S. to access the best fertility expertise and answers. Along the way, we faced immense challenges, including a loss in 2013 and a seven-year legal battle for fairness. Less than 24 hours after disclosing the high-risk pregnancy, Branka’s employer fired her. The stress was a huge contributing factor to the miscarriage. Our story hit national news. Receiving a landmark Human Rights ruling in our favour finally gave us the peace we needed to honour our past and focus entirely on the joyful future ahead of us. Our embryos represent our unwavering hope and the family we are meant to create.
Life in Our Home Our home is nestled in a quiet, family-friendly neighbourhood in Edmonton, backing onto peaceful greenspace. Inside, it is warm and welcoming—filled with old books, cozy corners, and space to dream. Outside, the backyard is perfect for tiny footsteps, garden picnics, and evening lullabies. We imagine spilled juice boxes, teddy bear tea parties, and gentle bedtime stories—all wrapped in the comfort of unconditional love.
We love history documentaries, home-cooked meals, and cozy evenings filled with trivia. Branka crafts “perfect” pancakes and legendary lasagna, while Rick’s memory for obscure facts shines (even if his keys mysteriously vanish). We have a beloved Bombay cat named Magpii, and our childhood stuffed animals—Branka’s bear and Rick’s lion—still sit proudly, waiting for their next best friend.
Our Promise to You Your well-being is our absolute priority. We will cover the costs and expenses and provide wholehearted support throughout this journey. You will always be respected, heard, and deeply cared for—before, during, and after pregnancy. We are committed to creating a smooth, meaningful, and empowering experience for you and us.
We would love to build a sincere and trusting relationship. Whether that means regular check-ins, sharing milestones, or staying connected after the birth, we will follow your lead. If you are comfortable, we would be honoured to be present at the birth to support you, but your privacy will always come first.
We know you have a difficult task reading many stories, but we hope you have found a connection with ours. Your selfless love would bring an angel to our lives, and we wish upon a star that you might become part of our extraordinary journey. We are ready to do the work, be the support you need, and finally be able to welcome our child home. We look forward to the possibility of chatting over coffee or a video call whenever you are ready.
With love and admiration,