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I Didn’t Think This Could Work: Our Story of Egg Donation & Surrogacy
71 Plays1 month ago
In this episode, Whitney talks with Amy Huston, who shares her experience building a family through egg donation and surrogacy after medical challenges made pregnancy impossible. From IVF setbacks to releasing the need for genetic connection, Amy reflects on “borrowed trust,” letting go of control, and finding peace on an unexpected path to parenthood.
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Transcript
Amy's Journey with Infertility and Surrogacy
00:00:00
Speaker
IVF gets marketed as a sure thing, and it definitely does, and it definitely was met. If you've reached the point where you've done everything you know how to do, the research, the waiting, the hoping, and you're still thinking, I don't see how this could work, this episode is for you.
00:00:16
Speaker
That's Amy Houston, and she didn't move forward with egg donation and surrogacy because she believed. She moved forward because she learned how to borrow trust when she couldn't hold it herself.
00:00:27
Speaker
For me, it was just... Yeah, I think in this case, borrowing trust and just saying, okay, I let go. If hope feels heavier than helpful right now, if certainty feels impossible, you're not failing this process. You're human.
00:00:44
Speaker
As important as it was for us, like the biggest, most important thing in our entire life to have our baby, to have our family, I felt like it was like equally as important for the people who were helping us. In this conversation, you'll hear how Amy built her family through egg donation and surrogacy, even when nothing felt guaranteed and how trust borrowed from the right people carried her all the way to parenthood.
00:01:10
Speaker
Enjoy.
Introduction to 'Create a Happy Family' Podcast
00:01:11
Speaker
Who knew it could take more than two people to have a baby? I'm Whitney Hall, a two-time surrogate, now part of the team at Egg Donor and Surrogate Solutions.
00:01:21
Speaker
And I've seen how life-changing this process can be when you feel informed, supported, and confident about your next step. Each week on Create a Happy Family, you'll hear real stories and expert insights from hopeful parents, surrogates, egg donors, and professionals, all to help you understand what it really takes to create a family in this way.
00:01:46
Speaker
Because at the heart of it all, we're creating happy families, one relationship at a time.
00:01:56
Speaker
So many intended parents can really relate to just that season of life where you feel like you've done everything, you know how to do. The research, the waiting, all of the hoping, and still don't feel confident that...
00:02:12
Speaker
their path to parenthood is going to happen. And I know that you've shared that you didn't move forward with egg donation and surrogacy because you even felt sure.
00:02:23
Speaker
Can you kind of take us back to just that moment and what life was like for you then?
Overcoming Medical Challenges in Pursuit of Parenthood
00:02:29
Speaker
Yeah. So, i mean, it kind of always knew that we would have a unique path to parenthood. Um, so when I was in college, I started having some symptoms of a heart condition that I was later diagnosed with, um, called pulmonary hypertension. So always knew that pregnancy would not be possible for me.
00:02:51
Speaker
Um, and I think. That seed being planted early on was helpful. However, it's still a really big mountain to climb.
00:03:02
Speaker
um And so getting there still took some time We, you know, looked at all different types of avenues for ways to have our family and ultimately decided you know,
00:03:15
Speaker
that surrogacy was the right path for us. um We really, really wanted to have a big family. um At the time, i really wanted a connection to my child genetically. um That became less important as we went through, went down the path. But um I will say we went through a lot of IDF. It was a struggle for us. I think doctors were really hesitant to work with me because of my heart condition. They just didn't feel comfortable. they questioned whether it was safe, necessary. But eventually we did find an incredible doctor in Houston at what is now CCRM Houston to help us on this path. So oh yeah, i going back, it's,
00:04:04
Speaker
There were so many
Decision to Use Egg Donation and IVF Struggles
00:04:05
Speaker
stops and starts. And we say this a lot, you know, working with intended parents that IVF gets marketed as a sure thing. And it definitely does. And it definitely was not for us because we never had more than one embryo ah bread at a time available ever. Wow.
00:04:23
Speaker
um My son was actually a fresh transfer. So 10 years ago, not really done very much anymore. But at the time things that was just what the landscape looks like. So it was a lot of finger crossing and wishful hoping and praying and um it's a miracle that he's here. But because of all of that, you know, like I said, we wanted to grow our family. And so after some time, um really came around to egg donation. And that is the reason i have two amazing, beautiful, healthy girls in addition to my son. So I think going through that journey to get Eli here was a huge part of it. um
00:05:07
Speaker
But like having my girls just brings me so much joy. so going back to, you I guess, just deciding when we were ready to do donation, I don't know, it just kind of all clicked into place that what truly matters is just getting to be a family, getting to be a parent, and knowing that these children are your children. it doesn't really matter what your genetic ties are to them. um And i would also say, like, looking back, it felt like
00:05:40
Speaker
the whole world was the process of surrogacy and I donation and IVF and everything that goes into it. But now i'm just a parent with yeah a 10 year old and a six year old and a four year old and all of it. While it's such a huge part of my story, it's also,
00:05:58
Speaker
a journey that feels somewhat complete in that now parenthood looks like parenthood. Sure. It was that chapter and now we're on to the class parties and the scraped knees and the bikes and yeah. Yeah. So yeah.
00:06:16
Speaker
That's amazing.
Choosing the Right Egg Donor Beyond Genetics
00:06:17
Speaker
One thing you said, you know, you, the the seed was planted early in college yeah that, you know, you were not going to be carrying a pregnancy, right but you said, you know, that was still a mountain to climb.
00:06:28
Speaker
yeah What was, when you realized you were going to have this other mountain of egg donation in addition to, you know your path to parenthood, what was that process like? I love that you said, you know, genetics were important then and and then you were like, but they're really not. They're really not. Or they weren't as important to you after a while. Can you kind of talk a little bit about me Yes. um So say...
00:06:56
Speaker
i would say And I think a lot the intended parents probably go through some of this process is at first, you know, started kind of becoming open to the idea of egg donation, really wanted to have babies. We did look into adoption, did some training, some weekend trainings on adoption and just kind of kind of came to the conclusion that this path was better for us. um And so I would say for egg donation is just, we started out, you know, I wanted to
00:07:27
Speaker
I wanted to replace myself with myself. i And then that's it. It's just not really, that's not really how it works. And I think, you know, the more you get into it, the more you come to understand that that doesn't, that doesn't matter either. so I think it's a lot of releasing control um and just getting to a place where you're really just truly open to having the baby you were meant to have. And however that baby arrives for you, Um, our donor, I mean, that my girls are just so amazing that it's, wouldn't change a thing about them. They're perfect in every way. Um, and having my son already be biologically my child, I wasn't sure how it would feel about that, but oh my gosh. I mean, it it's just so like, not an issue at all. It is just, they are just my children. My children are my children. um So i think like as you get into egg donation and you're looking at choosing because there's choice there. That's what's so interesting about egg donation is you have choice now.
00:08:33
Speaker
were you you here Here it is. what's What's important to you and really figuring out what is. And what's interesting is my husband, Evan, originally really, really loved this egg donor. And I liked her. fine i did. i liked her, but I was like, but she, she doesn't look like me. She doesn't have, you know, what I associate with right me, but everything else about her was perfect.
00:09:00
Speaker
It was just, we felt really connected to her. Um, just the things she liked to do, the type of person she was, um, everything else about her felt right. So we had to kind of go through some other choices and realize that it didn't really shake out the way we thought it would. It's just kind of again, some stops and starts ended up not being good candidates. Some of the other choices that I had, I had made because I wanted, I wanted to choose. And then came back to this person, this amazing girl that, you know, Evan had really connected with from the start. And she is the egg donor that ended up creating our family with us. So there you have it. I mean, you just, you just never know. of it there's, again, I feel like he knew, he knew for a reason and I had to kind of get there. And that was my learning and path to take and just a way to grow.
00:09:53
Speaker
yeah So,
Trusting the Process and Borrowing Hope
00:09:55
Speaker
yeah. Was there a moment, you know, as you were going through all of those stops and starts where, hope kind of felt more exhausting than helpful. You've used the beautiful phrase of like borrowed trust. What does that mean to you?
00:10:13
Speaker
Oh gosh. And that, and that's definitely true for surrogacy as well. Um, so we did have an egg donation cycle that resulted in no embryos, which was devastating. Um, and again, that was a cycle with a donor that I chose based on some things that felt important. um And when it didn't work out that way, I really had to just regroup and say, okay, maybe we can look at some other factors and choose differently this time and just see if that, if that changes things. So for me, it was just, yeah, I think in this case, borrowing trust from the universe, from Evan and just, yeah.
00:10:58
Speaker
Saying, okay, I let go. And this feels right, even if it doesn't look right. I think that is something that I kind of came to the conclusion of. And and it always, you know, with the donor that ended up being our donor, it always felt right.
00:11:15
Speaker
And I had to get there. So it wouldn't have been right. on day one. It just wouldn't have, it just wasn't the way that I was ready to accept it. Um, but it was, and it was easy and so a smooth process. Thankfully, i don't, I don't know how, but it was, and we had an amazing, um, outcome and lots of embryos to use. And now I have two healthy, perfect daughters. Um, so yeah.
00:11:41
Speaker
Yeah. Well, I love that. It was, it, maybe it felt right, but maybe not look right, but it looks different than what you had originally envisioned. Like you said, ago know Oh, she doesn't look like me or she doesn't have my blonde hair or you know right whatever it may be. Right. My height, my, my body style, what whatever it was that seems like what I was replacing, but there is no replacing. And that's what you come to understand. It's just not about that, yeah but it takes time to get there because you just thats You just have to be able to let go. And it's a big ask for a lot of people who've already been through so much. um
00:12:21
Speaker
But it's just part of it. And it's just a really, it's a really beautiful part of the process. Absolutely. Well, you're not replaced. You're you're the one who's going to be there. Yeah. Like you're one that gets to you know pass on all of the family traditions and, you know, just everything that you've envisioned. So yeah, it's not replaced. 100%. 100%. So.
Support from Egg Donor and Surrogate Solutions
00:12:41
Speaker
We'll get right back to the show. But real quick, if you're dreaming of growing your family through egg donation or surrogacy, we'd love to help. At Egg Donor and Surrogate Solutions, we've spent 18 years guiding hopeful parents with compassion, expertise, and personal experience.
00:12:56
Speaker
Our team includes people who have been intended parents, surrogates, egg donors, and even nurses. So when we say we understand, we truly do. You can schedule a free 15-minute call with our team at createahappyfamily.com to get your questions answered and explore your next steps.
00:13:14
Speaker
You don't have to navigate this journey alone. We're here to walk it with you. All right. Let's get back
Embracing Non-Traditional Parenthood
00:13:19
Speaker
to the show. What was it like for you as you were shifting from, okay you knew you were going to have to have a surrogate. Now we're going to have an egg donor.
00:13:30
Speaker
Did you ever feel
00:13:34
Speaker
removed from your path to parenthood? That's a good question. a little bit. Only because, only because,
00:13:45
Speaker
I was used, I had been in on the other side, um, where it is all about you and what your numbers look like and what your lining looks like and what, um, your ovaries are looking like, um, and going through all the invasive procedures and, you know, removing cysts as they come up and, you know, going under anesthesia, everything that goes into it. Um, so to go about it,
00:14:11
Speaker
in this way, yeah I felt it felt lighter for sure. I didn't feel like I was less a part of it. Um, but I didn't, it didn't, it certainly wasn't as physical, um, for me.
00:14:25
Speaker
And again, lighter in that things went well, whereas for me, things never went that well. Um, so yeah.
00:14:37
Speaker
I would say that was that was an interesting difference. Did you know what to do with all of that positivity? where Because I feel like a lot of people struggle with they're always waiting for the shoe to drop. And when things just keep either being smooth or you keep getting good news, you almost are like, you don't even know what to do. There's no chaos.
00:14:59
Speaker
I know. i agree. Yeah. um yeah I felt that way about the embryo creation through the egg donor process. and when Misty was finally pregnant with Eli, it was that just really a turning of the season that nothing had gone well.
00:15:18
Speaker
And then it did, but in order to get there, just everything that we had been through all the ups and downs, all the emotions, all the, you know, perceived failures is what brought us to the point that you could, that I could shift and just have that,
00:15:35
Speaker
that mind shift and it was just acceptance. And i don't know, it wasn't surprising to me that it went well. It was like, it went well when it was time for it to go well.
00:15:47
Speaker
And I don't think it would have gone that way. Had I not been through every single event along the way that got me there. So I just felt all like, like every step had a purpose.
00:16:00
Speaker
It wasn't just pain for the sake of pain. It was growth and, just expansion. Um, and so, yeah.
Partnership with Surrogate and Shared Optimism
00:16:11
Speaker
Was that, what was that like to maybe to, to walk a line, ah to walk alongside a surrogate who never doubted that you guys would become parents and, you know, even if you couldn't feel the certainty yourself, what was that like? Sure.
00:16:26
Speaker
I was just so grateful because as there is borrowed trust, there's also borrowed enthusiasm and hope. um And so she just, it was just such a, she's just so pure in that way that it never crossed her mind that that it wasn't going to work.
00:16:42
Speaker
Whereas, you know, when you've had the experience, the complete opposite, things haven't gone well. And you've done all you can do. And I was at that place where I felt like, okay, I've given it my all, put everything into it. It will be what it will be. So there's a difference between acceptance and assuming all will go well. i think sure And she, and it was a little bit of both that made it just ah a magical, you know, recipe for a great journey. But yeah, she was just, yes, always able to support in that way, you know, just with her
00:17:17
Speaker
her natural enthusiasm and belief and hope that things would be, would work out the way that they were intended to. And yeah they did. so with with the whole with With the journey as a whole, were there ever moments where your path felt so emotionally heavy along with, you know, maybe you were misunderstood. Maybe the whole thing was misunderstood by others. And how did you kind of navigate that?
00:17:51
Speaker
Oh, yeah. I mean, it's so different now because when I was going through it, i mean, I didn't know one other soul that had ever needed a surrogate or gone through what we had been through. So it was it was definitely isolating. And, you know, my particular circumstance was pretty unique. um So, yeah, I would say, yeah we definitely had i have friends and family members who, you wanted to support, but I think they also felt like, oh, I would help you if I could, but I can't.
Societal Misunderstandings and Maintaining Friendships (Q&A)
00:18:25
Speaker
I think they felt some of, some of that as well. Like maybe there was expectation there and there, there wasn't. Um, but I feel like that sometimes made it hard for people who felt like maybe they could help and and offer to carry, but it wasn't right for them. and they didn't know how to support in that situation.
00:18:46
Speaker
and i mean, but for me, it, I never felt, I don't know if that didn't, that didn't get in the way of our friendships or our, you know, ability. i mean, they're just, they're thrilled for me as friends and they're still all my, my close friends. Um, but I feel like that was kind of a unique thing that popped up, um, that all of a sudden people felt maybe the weight of, Oh, I should offer, oh but I don't know if it's right.
00:19:10
Speaker
And now I don't really know how to support. Yeah. Yeah. That's interesting. Just interesting dynamics that you don't think about. um So that that did come up with family, some family members and with a few close friends. But again, that was never a, would you consider, would you care? You know, we just weren't it in that situation. Sure, sure. So. Was there was there ever a...
00:19:35
Speaker
I don't want to say negative. Was there ever any conflict with explaining the egg donation aspect to family or friends? Or was that even something that you were going to explain?
00:19:50
Speaker
I would say not to friends, um not really to family, maybe some extended family. We're kind of uncertain and and people who just hadn't been through the exp experience or didn't have the education to say,
00:20:05
Speaker
Well, why would you go through all of that when you could just m adopt? Because people don't don't really understand everything that goes into it. um So, yeah, that did come up. But I don't know. I never felt bothered by it or defensive about it. It was just...
00:20:25
Speaker
our path. It was, our path was our path. So, yeah I mean, it's just amazing that it exists at all. um And so I think just having that view about it, it was never anything I felt I had to hide from anyone. um But yeah, I think it was ah sometimes received, I would say more with like wonder and like, oh, wow.
00:20:46
Speaker
Rather than, oh you know, rather than that being perceived as less than, it was just so surprising. So a lot of education of for family that didn't understand her. so I love that perspective of this isn't, this isn't something that to be defensive about. It's people that are, yeah like you said, it's wonder because not a lot of people either hear about it or they do hear about it and it's in the media or it's, you know, just, just that kind of thing. And yeah, that idea of don't be defensive. They're just wondering.
Educating Others About Surrogacy
00:21:20
Speaker
Right. And it's so complex. It's okay. So it's your baby, but it's not your genetics, but it is Evans and it is this other person's, but she's not really a part of the story after this point. And then it's involving this other person who's carrying, but also not related. It's just a lot of complexity that I think a lot of people had just never had a reason to consider until it's until you're affected by it in some way. So um I think Misty, my, the surrogate that carried Eli, and she's from Waco, so small town in Texas. And, she is that She was a dental hygienist, and so she would just tell everybody, you know, that came through as she was pregnant, and they would ask questions, and she was just out there educating the masses, letting people know, like, what the process looks like. Is this your baby? No. Well, how do you feel about other parents having this baby? Oh, I'm not related to the baby. Just...
00:22:21
Speaker
You know, she's so good at that. so Well, I love it. And as a dental hygienist, I mean, you know, they can't really talk back. So you can just, you know, talk away and explain the whole thing. That's right. So we have a joke about that. So it was great. i One of the things that I think is so amazing is you – You celebrate so well how your beautiful family was created. And I know you shared that you created a digital photo book from your surrogate. It's like all of the pregnancies. And i know that's become incredibly meaningful. How did that idea come about for you?
00:23:01
Speaker
um i think just because we had so many photos from each journey, um And, you know, things like the the first positive pregnancy test at home, um cravings, you know, that that they would have in pregnancy. It just is a way to really feel connected to that part of the process, even if you're not experiencing it directly. And I'm so glad that we took the time to do that and just organize the photos that way. So it was never something we were planning on doing necessarily. We just wanted to ah have it all available and documented. and then...
00:23:36
Speaker
You know, lately my girls have been asking to see their baby books and then I have it available to them and I can tell them their story. And it's just such a neat part of their story and to be able to show them and they can connect with it and understand how they came to be here. um and that's part of who they are from the get go. It's just, it's been really, really, really neat to see. Yeah. When you were in the moment and you were you know in the moment of documenting everything, was that, ah was that ever hard?
Emotional Weight of Surrogacy
00:24:07
Speaker
Or was it just more important? oh I think it was just more important because for me, this is not this was not something that I had tried to do and not been able to do. it was a, it's not safe for you ever.
00:24:24
Speaker
So i had not, it wasn't, oh, i can't do this. I wish I could. This other person is, is doing, is doing what I can't physically do. It was, it was just, I felt, it felt different.
00:24:37
Speaker
for me. Um, but you know, I never had, I didn't have the experience of being pregnant and, and having a loss, um, which I feel like is, is just such, oh, that it's a different type of loss. Yeah. yeah So it was more like, I can't believe that there are people out there that would do this for someone. Um, and that's the other thing that's just so amazing about it is,
00:25:02
Speaker
they i felt like as important as it was for us, like the biggest, most important thing in our entire life to have our baby, to have our family, i felt like it was like equally as important for the people who were helping us. I really felt that like them to carry for someone else was felt to them equally as big.
00:25:24
Speaker
um So it was never this mismatch of importance. It was just this beautiful like balance of how important it is to me and how important it was to them. And it just, it was just undeniable. this's That's just how it felt. So oh that was really neat, surprising and and just amazing.
00:25:42
Speaker
So what are, when you're talking to you, your kiddos about their story. How do you navigate explaining some of those big questions that can come up or are they even really big right now?
00:26:01
Speaker
Yeah, I think they're just, They're just asking, you know, well, did I grow in your tummy? You know, what and and then I just say, oh, remember, it wasn't my tummy. You grew in Kai's tummy. Remember, I have the picture. That's you in there. Remember, mama's tummy just wasn't, didn't work for having babies. So we found this other person who was able to help us in this way, and she carried you and her tummy for us. um So we just kind of presented it in that way. i mean, truth and just...
00:26:31
Speaker
Exactly what it was. And they're very, oh you know, then they know it makes them unique and special and it's just part of who they are. um So and then and describing egg donation as well, it was just, well, you know, it was really, really difficult to get the parts that we needed to make you. And again, we had this other person who was willing to help us and give us the eggs that we needed so that we could have you. So it was, a you know, all these people came together to create you. You are that special that you had help from everyone to come together and make you beautiful you. yeah,
00:27:11
Speaker
yeah again, i think having the pictures really helps that for little ones that are just so visual and want to understand. But yeah, they they just hear it as that's just who they are. It's not less than, it's not more than, it just is for them.
00:27:27
Speaker
Yeah. so So what would you say to parents who are maybe just feeling really raw or vulnerable either, you know, during pregnancy to either document or celebrate or even in those early days trying to figure out how they would navigate those types of conversations? What would you say to them?
Advice for New Parents on Emotional Journey (Q&A)
00:27:48
Speaker
I would say just, I mean, full permission to feel all that you feel in those moments because it's valid and it's true for you. um And knowing that it's not a permanent state. So what you feel then may not be what you feel a year from now or two years or four years when my daughter's finally starting to ask to her story and how she got here. um And just remembering that as big of a deal, as big of a,
00:28:17
Speaker
experiences is for you. It's also part of them. And so i think just remembering that it's their story too. And so being willing and to sit with that discomfort, even if the times are hard, even if the emotions are hard, I think you'll be happy eventually that you have that to share and what way feels right to you with your family and with your child, because it's, it's them too. Even if it doesn't look happy all the time it's okay it's it's not meant to you so no think that's perfect
00:28:54
Speaker
We're
Amy's Role in Supporting Other Intended Parents
00:28:55
Speaker
lucky enough. You are part of the egg donor and surrogate solutions team now, which is so fun. And you um get to be a intended parent educator. How does having used both the egg donor and surrogate program for your own path to parenthood, how does that, how has that helped you support and educate other intended parents?
00:29:18
Speaker
Just lived experience. And I mean, and of course, you know, my experience is mine. and it It isn't, necessarily everyone's, but there is some commonality in that. And just understanding, you know, a lot of intended parents that I talk to will say, well, what, what did you, what surprised you as you went through the process? You know, they want to know like, what's it like, or what, what came up for you? And a lot of it is just, I can speak to that loss of, or letting go of, I wouldn't say loss of control. I would say letting go. of control and just trust and connection with someone else. Um, and that it can be up and down, and and emotional and overwhelming, but it can also be amazing. um
00:30:04
Speaker
and just as, as of having lived through it, just being able to speak to that, that it's hard, but worth it. And, Yeah. yeah For listeners who are still early in the process, what did you wish you had understood about egg donation or surrogacy before even starting?
Acknowledging the Challenges of Surrogacy and Egg Donation
00:30:29
Speaker
oh I would say just that it isn't a sure thing, that there are no guarantees. And I think at the beginning stages, you're just kind of, you only know what you know, and you're limited in that. Okay, well, we'll just have to do it this way. We'll just do IDF and we'll just get a surrogate or we'll just get a donor. And then it all works perfectly when you take out the part that doesn't work that well, which is, and you know, your person, yeah, in quotations, but you're perceiving it's you. It's, my egg quality is not great or my IVF results were never great or my uterus doesn't work, whatever it is. You think that by replacing that quote unquote faulty piece, things will then continue on perfectly.
00:31:13
Speaker
doesn't work that way. And I think that's surprising because it just, or it's it's a human experience and there's going to be ups and downs. There's going to be emotion that goes into it. And I think that's surprising is that you think I'll just,
00:31:29
Speaker
you know, the doctors will just fix what's wrong. And then it goes according to plan because it's hard to think of a world where it doesn't go according to plan. And maybe it's just a lot to think about. it's a lot to hold um when you don't really have, when you're taking yourself out of it for one reason, but then you're also taking yourself out of it as like, well, now I don't have any say or control in it, it's you know? um So that I think,
00:31:58
Speaker
I think that would be my, my recommendation to families is just to be open to seeing it as a big picture experience and not just a, I think a lot of tunnel vision. Yeah, exactly. Next step, get through this.
00:32:17
Speaker
That didn't work. Okay. Circle back. You know, it isn't just something to plow through. and I know that's hard to understand in and the moment, but looking back, I'm grateful for everything that we did go through, even when it was hard.
00:32:31
Speaker
um So it's, it's just part of it. yeah No one gets here on an easy road and it's not an easy road. I would say that it's not, it's not meant to be easy. Doesn't mean good and bad, you know, difficult doesn't mean bad. It's just all part of it.
00:32:49
Speaker
So having sat in the seat of, being a hopeful parent and then now being a intended parent educator, what do you think sets egg donor and surrogate solutions apart when families are deciding who to trust with this?
00:33:11
Speaker
That's so easy. I mean, it's so easy to talk about think because it is the focus on relationship and the focus on releasing on trust and transparency, which are just the most important things when coming into this journey. Um, so i feel like that, that sets us apart, like far and beyond is just the focus on connection and, um, that you're moving through a life-changing event together.
00:33:45
Speaker
and so, yeah, that's, that's, it's a partnership. The big, it's a partnership. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, I love that. Well, Amy, I am, so grateful for you you just share your story and love how you celebrate your family. And know just so many intended parents are so grateful that they get to hear your voice on the other end of the phone or zoom or, you know, all of the things. My last question to you, and it's a fun one.
00:34:18
Speaker
As you can see, I'm sitting here having, i won't even tell you what number cup of coffee this is. And so I always love to ask the question, what filled your cup today, literally or figuratively, what has been the thing to fill your cup?
00:34:36
Speaker
Oh, well, I would say what would fill my cup literally would be a cappuccino. That would be my preference, my favorite. And then what filled my cup figuratively today is that it's the first day after Christmas break and my kids are back in school and I feel like I have my workspace and my home to myself for a period of time. um And that it feels good.
00:34:59
Speaker
It feels good. So, yeah. No, that does feel good. That does feel really good. Yeah. ah I love it. Oh my gosh. That's fantastic. Well, again, Amy, thank you so much for doing this and for all you do. and We are