Campaign Story

Hi, we’re Payton and Brett, a military couple who has been together for almost 12 years. We’ve grown up together, built our lives side by side, and always imagined we’d become young parents. For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of being a mom. I’ve had baby names picked out since I was young, and the thought of raising a child with the man I love has always been a huge part of my heart.

As our friends started having children, it’s been beautiful to watch their families grow, but also bittersweet. There’s a quiet ache that comes from wanting a baby so deeply and not having one in your arms yet. After years of trying with no answers, we eventually started telling people we didn’t want kids. It wasn’t the truth, it was a way to protect ourselves from the pain of explaining something we didn’t fully understand.

These past couple of years have been especially hard, but then something happened that brought hope back into our lives: my sister offered to be our surrogate. I never thought surrogacy would be an option because of how expensive it can be, but her offer changed everything. It gave us a path forward we didn’t know we could have.

We do still have to go through medical clearance together to make sure it’s safe for her to carry. If for any reason she isn’t cleared, we will begin the search for another surrogate, but our hope is to move forward with her, because the love behind her offer means the world to us.

Right now, I’m in graduate school working toward becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist, and Brett continues to serve proudly in the military. We’re ready to grow our family, and our loved ones are already excited to meet their future grandchild.

Although my sister isn’t asking for compensation, there are still major expenses involved – IVF, insurance, and legal steps to ensure everything is safe, ethical, and protected for everyone involved. These costs add up quickly, and any support from our community helps move us one step closer to the baby we’ve prayed for and dreamed of for so many years.

Thank you for reading our story, sharing it, and supporting us in any way you can. Your kindness truly brings our future little miracle closer to home.

-P&B