Ashley, American Surrogate Mother in Tampa, Florida, USA

Why I want to be a surrogate mother:

All my life I have always felt motherly. I have always wanted my own family to raise and grow. However after watching my aunt struggle with infertility and the adoption process that I wanted to help others become parents when they otherwise would not be able to become a parent. Knowing how badly I wanted it, it broke my heart knowing that I could and others couldn't but wanted to. So I resigned to try to make it happen and at this point in my life I feel like surrogacy is a go! I would be honored to help start and/or complete someone else's family. Babies are a beautiful and wonderful gift to anyone, so I'd love to help those who cannot carry themselves.

Description of myself:

I'm a loving mother of two beautiful and perfect girls. I have a wonderful husband and we live out of Tampa. I grew up in Boston and moved to Florida when I got married. After watching the trials of infertility with my aunt who so wanted to be a mother, I've always wanted to give someone the gift of parenthood who otherwise may not experience it. I'm easygoing, love to talk, understanding and compassionate. I love reading and literature, and experiencing life in every capacity. I'm a little shorty at just under 5 ft tall and love to make fun of myself for it (it has no impact on my ability to carry children, both of my girls were born full term at 8lb and 8lb6oz naturally). I love to learn new things and meet new people and overall just enjoy everything life has to offer. I would love to be able to remain friends with my surro-family not just through our pregnancy and birth but afterwards as well. You can consider me your friend, and not just the woman who carried your child.

My letter to intended parents:

Dear Intended Parent(s), As a parent myself, I cannot imagine not having my two daughters in my life. They are my sunshine, my air, and my substance of life. So when I imagine you without the joys, blessings, and frankly, the downsides of having children (I say that in a great way, all the 'downsides' are SO worth it) I am heartbroken. Even in the moments when I want to rip my hair out because my toddler colored on the white sofa, the love I have for her is so unconditional that in that moment I could still cry. I want that for you. I want you to be able to experience that. I want you to cry on your child's birthday and marvel at how quickly they grow, and learn, and become mischievous. I want you to be able to call up your best friend and say, "Boy, this kid is driving me bonkers," and turn around and still say, "I don't know what I would do without my child." I am so willing to cry with you, as well, and be happy for you, and love to hear how your child grows. As your surrogate you will be able to consider me a friend and not just the woman who carried your child. To you, mommy or daddy, I want you to have all your dreams of parenthood fulfilled. Thank YOU for even considering it, and thank YOU for considering surrogacy.