Life, Liberty and My Pursuit of Happiness
I’ve always loved the Fourth of July. Since childhood, it’s been one of my favorite holidays. There’s something special about grilling with neighbors, cheering on hometown parades, and watching fireworks light up the night sky.
Amid all our philosophical divisions as Americans, it’s one day when we still seem to agree on something: we’re grateful to live in the greatest nation on earth.
I consider myself a typical American. I worship God. I work hard. I pay taxes. Anything is possible in this land of opportunity.
But my family isn’t “typical.” After years of searching for the right partner, I chose to become a mother on my own in my 40s, using IVF. Today, I have the family of my dreams—big, blended, and bonded by love more than biology.
And now, I’ve made it my mission to help other women fulfill their dreams of motherhood, too.
Not everyone would make the choices I’ve made. But my family is an American success story.
Because at its core, this country was founded on one radical promise: freedom.
We throw that word around, but here’s what it means:
“The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views.”
Lately, I’ve grown increasingly concerned that this promise is under threat.
Restrictions on reproductive rights are tightening, reaching into the most personal decisions a person can make. Some policies even seek to ban IVF. In effect, they aim to shut the door on future American families.
To me, that’s not just cruel. It’s un-American.
It also flies in the face of our national interest. Like many nations, the U.S. is facing a steep birthrate decline, with profound implications for our economy, workforce, and social fabric.
If we care about liberty, family, and the future of this country, we must protect and even support the freedom to build a family.
Here’s what reproductive freedom looks like:
1. Access
IVF and fertility care should be available to all. Blocking access based on geography, marital status, or identity undermines the liberty our country promises.
2. Affordability
Fertility care is a lifeline, not a luxury. Yet costs remain high and insurance coverage scarce. That’s not progress—it’s exclusion. We must work to bring costs down.
3. Acceptance
America is a tapestry of diverse families—traditional, blended, solo, LGBTQ, adoptive, donor-conceived, and more. Celebrating that diversity doesn’t weaken the U.S., it makes us stronger.
This Fourth of July, I’ll light a sparkler with my kids and give thanks—not just for fireworks and freedom, but for the journey that brought me here.
And I’ll continue to fight to ensure others have the same chance.
Because true patriotism isn’t about guarding tradition—it’s about expanding liberty and supporting all Americans in their pursuit of happiness.
And the freedom to build the family you’ve dreamed of? That’s as American as it gets.
#righttoIVF
#freedomthroughIVF
#IVFforall