Dear Xia, Ru & Zhen,
Eighteen years ago at 11 pm CST on January 1, 2008, my world changed forever. I was in labor with three tiny miracles — feeling every emotion possible: excitement, nervousness, gratitude, and awe. I knew God had allowed our paths to cross for a purpose, and carrying you three was one of the greatest honors of my life.
I remember the moment each of you entered the world — the sound of your first cries, the flurry of nurses, and the tears that filled my eyes. Even though you weren’t mine to keep, you were mine to carry — and I carried you with love, prayer, and purpose every single day of that pregnancy. What a privilege it was to bring you safely into the arms of your dads, who had dreamed of you long before you existed.
Over the years, I’ve had the joy of watching you grow up through the updates, photos, and stories your dads so graciously shared. Those pictures meant the world to me — little glimpses into the beautiful lives I once felt moving inside me. And I’ll never forget the first time your dads brought you to Minnesota and I finally got to hug you — a moment I had dreamed about since the day you were born. Later, being able to see you again during my visits to California were blessings I will always treasure.
Eighteen years later, I’m still so grateful. Grateful for your dads who opened their hearts and home to me, for God’s perfect timing in bringing our lives together, and for the courage and love that carried us through that season. You three will always be part of my story — a living reminder of how beautifully God weaves families together.
As you step into adulthood, my prayer is that you continue to walk boldly and kindly, guided by grace and grounded in love. May you always know how deeply you were wanted, how prayed over you were, and how loved you continue to be — not just by your family, but by those who were part of your journey before you were even born.
💖 Happy 18th Birthday.
You will always have a special place in my heart — not just today, but every day for the rest of my life. I hope your birthday is filled with joy, laughter, and moments that remind you just how loved you are.
As you celebrate this incredible milestone, my wish for you is simple: may your year ahead be full of purpose, new adventures, and the kind of memories that shape who you are becoming. I hope you step boldly into adulthood knowing how many people have been cheering for you from near and far — including me.
Have a wonderful birthday, and an even more beautiful year to come.
With love,
A Surrogate Mom (Kerri)
