Hi there,

We've thought a lot about how to even begin this letter. "Dear" felt a little too formal, because we're writing to someone who might one day become so close to us, in such a special role. So we went with a simple, warm "Hi," the kind you'd give to someone you genuinely hope to meet. Whoever you are, we know that reading this means you're considering something truly extraordinary, and we don't take that lightly for a single second. Before anything else, we want to say thank you, simply for reading our story.

We're Cas and Stef. We've been together since 2019 and have built a warm and happy life in Amsterdam, surrounded by family and friends. For as long as we've been together, we've wanted to become parents. It's the one dream that has never faded, the thread that runs through everything we've built together, and it's what brings us here, to you.

Our journey already started in the most personal way we could have hoped for. Stef's sister, Anouk, is helping us as our egg donor, and we are endlessly grateful to her. Going through this first part together taught us something we'll carry for the rest of our lives: how much it means when someone chooses to help you become a family. It's also why the word that matters most to us in this process is "team." We don't see a Surrogate as someone who simply carries a pregnancy for us. We see her as someone we would walk alongside throughout this journey, with care, honesty, and enormous gratitude. Just as we feel toward Anouk now, we know we would feel that same deep thankfulness toward you.

What matters most to us is simply being there for you. We'd stay close through messages and video calls, follow your lead when it comes to how much contact feels right for you, and be with you around the birth, with plans to stay in Canada for a while afterwards. Your comfort, your body, and your boundaries would always come first. We hope this journey is one where you feel supported, appreciated, and free to be yourself. We also know this is not just a physical journey for you. Whatever comes up along the way, we'd want to be there for the hard days too, not just the beautiful ones.

On warm summer evenings, we often walk along the Amstel and stop for an ice cream somewhere along the way. And one day, we'll do that same walk as three. Weekend mornings that slowly turn into trips to the park. Cas teaching our child to take care of the garden, Stef teaching them to cook. Introducing them to our families in Brabant, who are already hoping for them. Our child will grow up knowing they were deeply wanted, and proud of exactly how they came into the world, because it is a story of love, generosity, and people who went to extraordinary lengths to make it possible. You would always be one of those people, someone whose name and role our child will know. We would love to stay in touch after the birth, share milestones, and let you see the life you helped make possible.

Thank you for reading this, and for even considering something this meaningful. Whatever you decide, we have nothing but respect and gratitude for you.

We would love to meet you.

With love,

Cas & Stef