Daniel & Louis
Location: Saint-Gilles, Belgium
About Daniel
Date of Birth: April 11, 1990
Citizenship: Austrian
Occupation: Civil servant at the European Commission
About Louis
Date of Birth: December 9, 1994
Citizenship: French
Occupation: Policy Officer at the ALDE Party (European Political Party)
Medical Information:
General Health:
Healthy.
Fertility Information:
We have 10 embryos created in January 2026 thanks to our incredibly supportive donor! Our donor was a known donor.
Fertility Clinic:
Create Fertility, Toronto, ON
Why are you looking for a Surrogate?
As a same-sex couple, surrogacy is the most realistic and meaningful path for us to become parents. It allows us to build our family while being involved from the very beginning. We are especially drawn to the values at the heart of surrogacy in Canada: trust, respect, and a shared sense of purpose between intended parents and the Surrogate. We admire the generosity it takes to carry a child for someone else and have been genuinely impressed by the surrogacy and egg donor community we’ve come to know over the past year.
Tell us about your family & loved ones.
Our parents are fully aware of our surrogacy journey and wholeheartedly support us. They share in our excitement and look forward to welcoming a new addition to the family. Our siblings are just as supportive as our parents. They are eager to be part of this journey in whatever way they can and Louis’ sister is looking forward to having a niece or a nephew that will play with her two daughters! We have shared our journey with our closest friends, who are equally supportive and excited for us. When the time comes, we plan to also inform our co-workers about the pregnancy and also expect their support. We will be able to take the time to be there whenever needed by the Surrogate and then also parental leave so as to ensure the transition into this new chapter of our lives.
Would you like to attend appointments with your Surrogate?
We would love to be as involved as our Surrogate feels comfortable with. Given that we are located in Europe, we are available to attend appointments virtually. If possible, we would also love to be present in person for key milestones, such as ultrasounds and of course the birth. We are ready to support our Surrogate throughout the pregnancy, whether it is remotely or by going to Canada if necessary.
What are your thoughts on termination of a pregnancy due to genetic abnormalities or complications related to the pregnancy?
We trust medical professionals to guide us in any decisions regarding the termination of a pregnancy. Our primary concern is the health and well-being of our Surrogate, and we will always prioritize her safety and well-being. In cases of severe genetic abnormalities or life-threatening complications, we would rely on medical expertise to make the most informed and ethical decision. If termination is recommended, we would approach it with great care, ensuring that all voices, especially our Surrogate’s, are heard and respected.
If the Surrogate becomes pregnant with multiples, how would you feel? How do you feel about the possibility of selective reduction being recommended due to a multiple pregnancy?
Our goal as parents is to have two children, and we would be open to our Surrogate carrying twins, but only if she is comfortable with it. We fully recognize that a twin pregnancy comes with additional physical demands and risks, and we want to prioritize her well-being. If selective reduction is recommended for medical reasons or if our Surrogate prefers it, we would support her decision and rely on medical guidance to ensure the best outcome for everyone involved.
Are you vaccinated for Covid-19? Do you have a preference for a Surrogate to have been vaccinated for Covid-19?
We are vaccinated against Covid-19. Since Covid-19 is no longer a global pandemic, we do not have a strong preference regarding our Surrogate’s vaccination status. Our primary concern is her overall health and well-being, and we trust her to make the best decisions for herself in consultation with medical professionals.
What kind of relationship do you want to have with your Surrogate during the pregnancy?
We see ourselves as being really supportive and easy to reach throughout the journey, making sure our Surrogate has what she needs and knows she can always count on us. We’d love to build a warm, respectful relationship based on trust, honesty, and open communication, and we want her to genuinely feel appreciated and
cared for. We’re happy to stay in regular touch however she’s comfortable—texts, calls, video chats, or even visits if that works for her—but we also completely respect her space and boundaries. We’re flexible and totally open to following her lead on what kind of contact feels right.
Do you want to be in the delivery room when your child is born?
Yes, if our Surrogate is comfortable with it, we would love to be present in the delivery room for the birth of our child. It’s an incredibly meaningful moment and we want to offer our support while also respecting her space and preferences. If being in the room is not an option, we would appreciate the opportunity to be nearby.
What kind of relationship do you hope to have with your Surrogate after the birth of your child?
We’d love to stay in touch with our Surrogate after the birth, as long as she’s comfortable with that. We’ll always be incredibly grateful for what she’s done for us, and we’d hope to keep some kind of connection in a way that feels easy and natural for everyone. Whether that ends up being the occasional message, yearly updates, or something more regular, we’re completely open and respectful of what she prefers. What matters most to us is that she feels appreciated and comfortable, and that everyone can move forward in a way that feels right.
Would you be open to a home birth?
We are open to a home birth, provided that all necessary medical precautions are in place to ensure the safety of both our Surrogate and baby. We trust medical professionals to assess whether a home birth is a safe option and would rely on their guidance. Our priority is a healthy and positive birth experience for everyone involved.
Are you open to midwifery care?
We are open to midwifery care as part of the overall prenatal and birth experience, but we would prefer it to complement rather than replace obstetric care. Ensuring the health and safety of both our Surrogate and baby is our top priority, so we would like to have medical oversight from an obstetrician while also benefiting from the supportive and holistic approach of a midwife.
Would you like your Surrogate to provide breastmilk?
We do not require our Surrogate to provide breastmilk. Given that we are located in Europe, this would be logistically challenging. While we recognize the benefits of breastmilk, we believe that formula feeding is also a healthy and nourishing option. Our priority is ensuring that our child is well-fed, thriving, and cared for in the best possible way.
What will you tell the child about the Surrogate, and the circumstances of their birth? If your child asks to meet the Surrogate, how will you feel?
As two dads, we believe in being open and honest with our child about their birth story from an early age. We will celebrate the incredible generosity of their Surrogate and Egg Donor, making sure they understand how deeply they were wanted and how many people helped bring them into the world. We would also love to give our child the opportunity to meet their Surrogate and Egg Donor if they are open to it—whether during visits to Europe or when we travel back to Canada. Ultimately, we want our child to grow up with a positive and appreciative understanding of their unique journey into our family.
We would fully support our child’s curiosity and desire to meet their Surrogate. We hope to maintain a positive connection with our Surrogate, making such a meeting possible if she is open to it.
If the transfer is unsuccessful, will you want to try again? If so, how soon after?
Yes, we would like to try again as soon as our Surrogate feels physically and emotionally ready. We understand that an unsuccessful transfer can be a difficult experience, and we want to ensure that she has the time and support she needs before moving forward.
If this surrogacy journey is successful, would you want to complete a sibling journey? What do you envision that looking like? (timeline, same Surrogate etc.)
Yes! Our dream is to have two children, and we would love to embark on a sibling journey if our first surrogacy experience is successful. Ideally, we would be thrilled to work with the same Surrogate again if she is open to it. In terms of timeline, we would want to allow at least a year after the birth of our first child before considering a second journey. However, we are flexible and would prioritize our Surrogate’s well-being and readiness in making this decision together.
What are your plans for childcare once the child is born?
Our plan is to take a sequenced parental leave to care for our child in the first 6 months after birth, ensuring a strong bond and a smooth transition into our new family dynamic. After that, we will explore childcare options that best support our child's development and well-being, such as a trusted daycare (crèche/kindergarten) or a caregiver. Belgium, where we live, offers great childcare support and solutions, including daycare options from 6-month old onwards.
What does a typical weekend look like for you?
Our weekends are all about cooking, reading, often also travelling and spending time with the family. We both love culture and learning—whether it’s for fun or for work. Since we’re both in public policy, staying curious and informed comes with the job, so we spend a lot of time reading, following current debates, and keeping up with what’s happening in the world. Louis is a bit of a nerd when it comes to politics, visual arts, and pop culture, so we often meet up with friends to see a new movie or exhibition, or just to debate the latest news. Dani is more of a bookworm and loves design, which means we end up at book fairs and antique markets whenever we travel. Languages are another shared passion. Dani’s native language is German and Louis’s is French, and we both speak English fluently at home and at work. Dani also speaks French and Italian and is currently learning Croatian, while Louis is working on his German. We also find great joy in anything food-related. We usually explore local markets whenever possible, selecting fresh ingredients and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Checking out new restaurants and going to wine tastings is another shared passion, adding an element of discovery and appreciation to our weekends. Travel is an important part of our lives, whether for weekend getaways across Europe (the train connections are very good where we are), tours around the world or visits to our families in Vienna and Paris. Family is often the main reason for our travels, and we make it a priority to reconnect with parents and siblings, especially around holidays and birthdays!
A typical weekend in Brussels would be: shopping (groceries and more) in the morning, brunch together in our garden, on a terrasse or in a park, sport (badminton for Louis, gym for Dani) and in the evening, hangout with friends at home, in a restaurant or at a cultural event.
What are some of your interests/ activities?
Our main common interest is learning and discovering new things, especially when it comes to culture, politics, society and food.
Louis loves cinema, theatre and comics. He likes visual arts and mind-bending stories. Louis also likes board games and trivia. A passion transmitted by his family and now shared with Dani!
Dani has a passion for literature. He not only reads extensively but also writes and studies the field. Dani also loves beautiful things, antiques, plants or decorations, that can improve our home and wow our guests!
Other fun facts:
We don’t currently have pets, but we are both lifelong dog lovers who grew up surrounded by animals. In the next few years, we hope to welcome a dog into our family—whether a golden retriever or a rescue from a shelter. We look forward to sharing our home with a loyal and loving companion.
We prioritize a balanced diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, following a largely seasonal approach. Both of our families maintain vegetable gardens, and this connection to fresh, homegrown produce has shaped our cooking habits.
Our culinary influences are diverse, reflecting the places we have lived and traveled. Mediterranean cuisine—particularly Italian and southern French—is a staple in our home. Dani, being from Vienna, brings the flavors of Austrian and Central European cuisine, which offers a unique mix of Habsburg culinary traditions. Meanwhile, French cuisine plays an important role in our lives, especially as we frequently spend time in Paris and Charente with Louis' family.
Beyond Europe, we love discovering new flavors from around the world. Our recent honeymoon to Taiwan and Thailand gave us an immersive experience in Asian cooking, including a North Thai cooking class that that opened our palates to new flavor combinations!
We also take great pleasure in grocery shopping—whether at local markets, where we select fresh ingredients, or at specialty supermarkets, where we explore some unique and high-quality products. Cooking is not just a daily routine for us; it’s a passion and a way to stay connected to our roots, our travels, and the cultures we admire.
We take our travels seriously—but mostly in the sense of where (and what!) we’re going to eat. Before any trip, we do a deep dive into the local gastronomy scene so we can make the most of every bite.
We’re also big fans of Eurovision—so much so that we went to Sweden last year to see it live! For us, it’s the perfect mix of two of our favorite things: Europe and pure, unapologetic fun.
As for guilty pleasures: Dani loves watching Formula One with a big bowl of popcorn and very strong opinions about tire strategies. Louis, on the other hand, is a proud solo cinema-goer and tries to catch at least one movie a week—bonus points if it's something moody and/or artsy.
“We’re Dani and Louis, an Austrian-French couple living in Brussels. We got together just before the pandemic, and while that time was difficult for many, it brought us closer and helped shape the strong bond we share today. We got married in the summer of 2024—a day full of joy, sun, and the people we love.
We both work in the public sector, which reflects what we believe in: that everyone can contribute to a more free and caring world. Starting a family feels like the most meaningful step we can take now. We want to raise a child with love, curiosity, and strong values—someone rooted in our families’ histories who can grow into their own person and hopefully give something back to the world in their own way.
We know that surrogacy is a big journey, and it means a lot to us to meet someone who might want to be part of it. If our story speaks to you, we’d be truly happy to connect and see if this could be a good match for all of us.”
