Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be here, at the ripe 'old' age of 37, asking strangers to help me in such a pivotal decision in life. Trust me when I say I thought by now I'd be married, with 3 kids, 2 dogs, and a few cats roaming around in a decent-sized house living the "American Dream." It's what most people look forward to as they shape their adult life.

I'm trying to take control of my narrative, and instead of waiting for a suitor to come along and sweep me off my feet, I've decided to have children by doing it on my own via IVF.

That brings me here. Asking, or humbly begging, you kind strangers or friends/family to aid in my endeavor. I'm blessed enough to have a job that covers *some* of the costs, but if anybody is familiar with IVF at all, you know it's expensive.

I grew up with the best mother a child could hope for. I've always known I wanted to be a mother of my own, and if I can be even a fraction of the parent she was to me and my brothers, I know I'll succeed with flying colors. I just need a little boost in covering the medical costs to make it happen.

This amount will cover getting my hands on a donor specimen and testing on the embryos. That will be my next step in the process of making a child. I'm sure when it comes to the late-stage steps I may need more, but I like to take things one step at a time.

If you can find it in your heart to donate what you can, I'd love to start a family and I'd be more than grateful for your help and generosity in making it come to fruition.