Seeing it up close
I didn’t climb the Matterhorn. I hiked the mountains around it, and that turned out to be the better vantage point. Every turn in the trail gave me a new view of the peak, and each one was more striking than the last. Photos flatten it. In person, you feel the scale, and you realize how much of the mountain you can’t see from where you’re standing.
I kept thinking about my clients.
The journey is the trail, not just the peak
Most people who come to me are looking at the summit: a baby, a family, the moment they’ve hoped for. That’s the right thing to keep in sight. But the Matterhorn taught me something while I was walking toward it: you don’t see the route from a distance. You see it step by step.
In third-party reproduction, the route includes agreements to draft, parentage orders to secure, insurance to sort out, compensation and escrow to structure, and clinics, agencies, and medical timelines to coordinate. Surrogates and donors have their own trail, too. They deserve a clear map of what’s ahead for them, not just a thank-you.
Preparation is what makes the hike safe
I wouldn’t have set out in those mountains without good boots, poles, water, and a plan. The same is true of this work. Carefully drafted agreements, clear expectations about communication and decision-making, and a shared understanding of what happens in different scenarios aren’t signs of distrust. They’re what let everyone walk with confidence, because the hard conversations happened early, when they were easiest to have.
The weather changes
The sky was brilliant blue the day I took my photo, but anyone who hikes the Alps knows that can change fast. Family-building is similar. Cycles don’t always go as planned, timelines shift, and emotions surface unexpectedly. I can’t promise perfect weather. What I can do is make sure there’s a plan for when conditions change and that everyone knows where the shelter is.
You don’t have to reach the top to make the journey matter
Every family’s path looks different, and every step deserves care and respect. If you’re an intended parent, a prospective surrogate, or a donor, I’d be glad to help you understand the route ahead.
