Jill talks about how being a gestational carrier changed her life. Twice.

Jill talks about how being a gestational carrier changed her life. Twice.

It’s obvious how surrogacy has changed the lives of my intended parents, but someone asked me this week how surrogacy has changed me. Short answer – I’ve learned to be more empathetic. More aware. More sensitive.

I learned that people are sometimes a product of their situations and things they cannot control. The experience has taught me that I cannot control everything either. I learned that sometimes the journey isn’t always what I think it’s going to be, but that doesn’t make it bad or wrong.

My kids have learned that making families isn’t always just as easy as “getting married.” My kids have learned that sacrifice to help others is OK and sometimes more meaningful than just doing something because it’s easy.

Sharing my story and my journey has opened the door for so many people to reach out to me, and I’ve learned so much by listening to their stories of infertility. I’m not the same person I was five years ago when I filled out my application to be a surrogate. I had no idea what I was getting myself and my family into, but I’m so glad I did.

I’m happy. My heart is full of gratitude, hope, and love. And now I have four extra people in my life that I will forever be connected to. I’m changed…and definitely for the better.