They say that there is no female friendship. Well, let those who are sure of it read this article!
To some, nature gives children easily and simply, while someone is forced to wander around the doctors for years, beg and endlessly wait for their little angel. This is the situation that happened in the life of 33-year-old Kaitlyn Buchanan, a resident of the United States. For a long time, the woman dreamed of becoming a mother, but the baby was in no hurry to appear with her. Poor Caitlin and her husband have gone through a lot: several miscarriages, many unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, endless tests and bitter tears. But the couple still did not lose hope. And not in vain, because a close friend, 34-year-old Erica Houston-Elem, unexpectedly came to the rescue.
Erica and Caitlin knew each other literally from the cradle. All childhood they played together, and as they matured, they began to share the most intimate with each other. The girls celebrated the holidays together, first – their graduation party in college, and then their own weddings.
“Our parents were close friends, and Kaitlin’s mother even became my godmother. So we grew up – as if in one big family, – recalls Houston-Elem. – It was not just friendship, but real sisterhood. Caitlin and I went through fire, water and copper pipes together. “
Unlike her friend Erica experienced the happiness of motherhood, her children are now 4 and 7 years old. But she wanted to see joy in Kaitlyn’s eyes too! Unable to watch a loved one suffer, Houston-Elem offered to become a surrogate mother. This serious conversation first took place between girlfriends in 2015. Caitlin refused the noble gesture, expressing the hope of getting pregnant on her own.
But the years passed, and the situation did not change. The desperate girl made the decision to accept the help of her best friend after the doctors passed the final verdict: “You cannot bear the child on your own.” Caitlin and Erica began preparations for the surrogacy process.
After a series of standard procedures, Houston-Elem became pregnant. Rather, she became the gestational carrier of her friend’s child – this is how her function was correctly designated from a medical point of view. Both women were in seventh heaven with happiness, because they understood what an important job they were doing.
“Throughout our pregnancy, Caitlin and I talked probably a million times a day! This brought us closer together. Carrying a child was easy and fun, there were no problems with work either: the boss supported me, allowing me to go on paid leave for 16 weeks. And when I was in the hospital, my colleagues sent me a huge bouquet of flowers, ”said the surrogate mother. .
The long-awaited event took place on March 20. At 35 weeks pregnant, Houston-Elem gave birth to twins named Poppy and Oliver. The biological parents were present in the delivery room and were the first to take their own children into their hands, which they inherited with such difficulty.
“It was the best moment in my life! – says Erica. “I said to myself: mission accomplished. Seeing my friend happy is the greatest joy for me! “