Madeleine Story

After 20 years together, 10 years married and a strong focus on our careers, my husband, Phip and I were ready to become parents. Easier said than done. We tried just about everything to get pregnant for about 18 months without a single positive pregnancy test. I didn’t want to admit that I needed help, and after hearing the worst about fertility treatments, I really didn’t want to go through it. 

Over time, my desire to become a mother won over my fears and doubts about fertility treatments. At my age, I would be spending tens of thousands of dollars for a mere chance at pregnancy with no guarantee that it would result in a live birth. 

With a lot of prayer and a fresh focus on mental, emotional and physical health, we started treatments. My first intrauterine insemination failed and I was devastated, even knowing the very low success rates. Rather than try another IUI process, I decided to go all in on in vitro fertilization (IVF). At the age of 39, I felt my time was running out and I wanted to throw everything I had at it. I ate clean, exercised, started acupuncture treatments, meditated and made a conscious effort to lower my stress levels. In summer of 2025, I completed my egg retrieval process and we transferred our first of four viable embryos in late August. In early September, I received my first positive pregnancy test! I couldn’t believe it. I assumed that IVF wouldn’t work and had prepared myself for the worst. The IVF process and pregnancy were much easier than I anticipated. I absolutely loved being pregnant. 

Our precious miracle girl, Lucy Madeleine, was born in spring 2026. We treasure every day with her and watch in awe every day as her beautiful little life unfolds. Every smile, snuggle and sigh of contentment are sweet reminders of a hard fought love and the utter miracle of life that we have been given. We cannot wait to dress her in lace and pearls for her baptism later this fall, a testament and commitment of how faith brought her to us, and how faith will carry her through the years to come.