Campaign Story

My name is Shermekia Bowens I am 35 years old, the oldest of four siblings and come from a strong, Christian-based family. Growing up, I was reminded daily that I was loved. My parents never let a day go by without telling us. Every morning before school, my mother and I would pray together, grounding me in faith and love from the start.

Family has always been a strong foundation in my life. I have beautiful memories of summer vacations, dinner at the table, and family meetings that brought us even closer. One tradition that I hold especially dear is our Christmas morning ritual. Each year, my siblings and I would gather in our parents’ room, where we’d pray together and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. It was my daddy, a pastor, who taught us early on to always give thanks to God for all we have. When I got married, I knew these were the values I wanted to pass on to my children.

My husband, Randy Bowens, is 36 years old and the only son among five sisters. We met in 7th grade and began dating in our sophomore year of high school (2005). On November 11, 2017, after more than a decade together, we married—high school sweethearts who had grown together through life’s highs and lows.

Randy is one of the most hardworking, easygoing, and loving people I know, and much of that comes from his upbringing. His mother, at 61 years old, still works as an ER nurse, showing the same unyielding dedication to helping others with warmth and compassion that Randy carries with him every day. From an early age, Randy learned the value of hard work and commitment, and that drive has shaped him into the person he is today. After graduating high school, he jumped straight into the workforce in 2009, quickly developing a strong work ethic that would later lead him to purchase our home in 2011 at just 22 years old. His determination and grit are unmatched.

He often talks fondly about how his dad, a skilled mechanic, passed down his knowledge and passion for cars to him at a young age. Randy treasures those moments of quality time spent working alongside his father and is eager to pass those same lessons on to our children. He believes in the importance of not only teaching valuable skills but also creating lasting memories that build a strong family bond and I’m so incredibly blessed to have him by my side.

We began trying to conceive with the help of Clomid, a fertility medication that stimulates ovulation, immediately after our wedding. After a year and a half without success, we sought the help of a fertility specialist. In 2019, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Determined to improve our chances, I adopted a low-carb diet, lost 20 pounds, continued Clomid, and in October 2019, we learned I was pregnant for the first time. After two long years of trying, we were overjoyed.

However, a week later, our excitement turned to heartbreak when we learned it was an ectopic pregnancy. Emergency surgery was required to remove my right fallopian tube. Despite the devastation, we refused to give up.

In November 2020, I fell pregnant again. Nervous yet hopeful, we attended our seven-week ultrasound. During the scan, the sonographer coldly remarked, “Nothing is showing up! Are you sure you’re pregnant?”Her lack of compassion deepened our distress. Days later, I began to miscarry and learned the pregnancy had been located in my fallopian tube, explaining the ultrasound results.

Despite our pain, we tried again, this time with the help of intrauterine insemination (IUI). After two failed attempts, we became pregnant miraculously in November 2023. But again, tragedy struck. This pregnancy also implanted in my remaining tube. I underwent another surgery to remove my left fallopian tube and with it, our final chance at conceiving naturally.

Thankfully, my husband’s job at the time offered IVF coverage for only $4,000. We scheduled a consultation in January 2024 and planned to begin the process in March. But before we could start, my husband lost his job of 16 years, along with our insurance. He spent six long months applying, interviewing, and waiting. By God’s grace, he found an even better job but without IVF benefits.

This journey has tested us in every way imaginable. And yet, we stand strong. Our church’s theme for the year is A Dogged Church—steadfast and unyielding. That has been the story of our marriage. For seven years, through loss and heartbreak, our resolve has remained unshaken. We may be knocked down, but we always rise again. God has kept us, strengthened our love, and deepened our bond beyond what we imagined when we first said “I do.”

The role of being an aunt has also been one of the most meaningful and rewarding parts of my life. I’m blessed with four nephews and three nieces, all of whom I cherish deeply. Despite my own losses, I’ve never allowed grief to lessen the love I pour into my family. In fact, on two occasions, my sister and I were pregnant at the same time. While she carried to term and I suffered miscarriage, I chose to respond with gratitude, embracing my nephews even more. I’ve always prioritized being present in their lives, attending school functions, stepping in when needed, and maintaining close, daily connections. They’ve brought immeasurable joy to my life and confirmed what I already know in my heart: I am called to be a mother. Being an aunt has allowed me to nurture, guide, and love and I know I will bring that same energy, commitment, and compassion to motherhood.

We are writing this with open hearts, believing our story, our hearts, and our commitment to this dream make us deserving recipients of this grant. We are not just asking for help to conceive. We are asking for a chance to pass on our legacy of faith, love, and resilience to a child who will grow up surrounded by family, guided by faith, and reminded every day: You are loved.

Thank you for your time, your compassion, and your consideration.

With love,
Shermekia Bowens & Randy Bowens