At 38, I made the decision to freeze my eggs. I thought, "This is my backup plan, my guarantee that whenever I'm ready, I'll have the option to start a family." But little did I know, that was just the beginning of an incredible journey.

Fast forward to when I was 44, and I met Tyson, my soulmate. Love at first sight doesn't even begin to describe it. We were ready to start our family immediately. So, just eight weeks after meeting, we decided to dive into IVF.

Excitement filled the air as we embarked on this journey together. The hope, the anticipation—it was palpable. But reality hit hard when our first round of IVF didn't go as planned. Out of all the frozen eggs, we only had one viable embryo. Sadly, that one didn't result in a pregnancy.

IVF turned out to be a far more challenging road than we ever imagined. Each round brought hope, followed by anxiety and often heartbreak. We were determined, though. Through eight rounds of IVF over two years, we clung to each other for support. The physical toll of injections and treatments was exhausting, but the emotional rollercoaster was even more draining.

During the early stages of our IVF journey, we were approached by a television production company to document our journey with a film crew. Initially, we thought this would be a seamless process resulting in an immediate pregnancy. Well, the universe had other plans for us. It turned into a longer journey with a plot twist at the end. Our journey was shared on the Channel 9 television series, Big Miracles (Seasons 1, 2, and 3). It was a brave and vulnerable decision to share our deeply personal experience so publicly, but we felt that it was important to bring awareness to the challenges many couples face during this often-unspoken stage of life. The show provided a platform to highlight the emotional and physical toll of IVF, and it allowed us to connect with others going through similar experiences. Sharing our story on such a public stage was incredibly challenging, but it also brought a sense of purpose and community. We hoped that by opening up about our struggles and triumphs, we could help others feel less alone in their own journeys.

Our IVF doctor gave us a reality check about our age but also a glimmer of hope—she guided us to consider donor eggs as an option. After several unsuccessful rounds of IVF, we made the initially difficult decision to pursue donor eggs. This was not a decision we made lightly. The wait times in Australia for donor eggs can be very lengthy, so we chose to work with an organisation located outside of Australia. This decision brought us renewed hope of becoming parents and being able to fall pregnant through this process.

With a donor egg, we finally achieved success. The moment we found out we were pregnant was indescribable. All the years of struggle, pain, tears, and endless waiting culminated in this one moment. It felt like a dream come true, a testament to our desire to become a family and our love for one another.

Throughout this journey, we learned so much about ourselves and each other. We became advocates for fertility mental health, realising how critical it is for couples undergoing IVF to have support. The stigma around infertility can be isolating, but by sharing our story, we hoped to break down some of those barriers and provide comfort to others facing similar challenges.

Looking back, I realise that freezing my eggs at 38 was just one step in a much larger journey. It was not the insurance policy I had once thought, but it was a crucial part of our path to parenthood. Our journey showed us the strength of our love and our commitment to each other and our future family.

Today, as I hold our child, I am filled with gratitude for the journey that brought us here. It was not an easy path, but it was one that shaped us in profound ways. Our story is one of love, perseverance, and the miracle of life. We hope it inspires others to keep going, to seek support, and to never give up on their dreams of starting a family.