We met through a mutual friend and saw each other at brunches, though Maurice wasn’t a fan of me (Pedro) at first. After a few run-ins—and a few too many drinks—a one-night thing turned into real dates. Then lockdown hit, and we ended up spending all our time together. What could’ve fizzled turned into something real. Fast. What started as indifference became love, thanks to timing, chemistry, and a global pause.

We’ve shared so many unforgettable moments through our travels, but if we had to choose just one, it would be our wedding day. Surrounded by the people who mean the most to us, we both radiated pure joy. The love from our family and friends was overwhelming in the best way—a perfect reflection of the journey that brought us there.

Every dollar would go directly toward our surrogacy journey, which we began shortly after our wedding in 2023. Becoming parents is a dream we both share deeply, and while our hearts are ready, the path hasn’t been without its challenges. Unexpected hurdles have led to additional costs beyond what we had initially planned, but our commitment to building our family remains unwavering.