To my dear friends, colleagues, intended parents, surrogates, and the beautiful families we have built together,

For the past 35 years, my life’s work has been defined by a single, profound mission: helping to bring love, hope, and new life into the world. Today, as I prepare to step back and say farewell to this extraordinary chapter, my heart is overflowing with a deep sense of gratitude, pride, and peace.

These 35 years have truly been the most amazing of my life. To look back on where this journey began is to remember a time when the path of surrogacy was uncharted and uncertain. I am incredibly proud to have been a pioneer in this space, helping to pave the way, shape ethical standards, and advocate for the beauty of family-building when the world was just beginning to understand it.

As the owner and director of Building Families, Inc., my work both domestically and internationally has been the privilege of a lifetime. Together, we didn’t just navigate legalities and medical processes; we crossed borders, broke down barriers, and built bridges of love that spanned the globe.

This journey was not always easy. We faced complex hurdles, weathered changing landscapes, and navigated deeply emotional waters. Yet, as I reflect on our history, I cherish every single memory—even the most difficult ones. The challenges only magnified the victories, and the struggles made the moment a newborn baby was placed into their parents’ arms all the more miraculous. Every obstacle taught us resilience, and every hardship underscored the absolute necessity of our work.

An endeavor of this magnitude is never accomplished alone, and my greatest strength has always come from my own family. I want to honor my children, Jennifer and Johnny, who walked this path with me in their own beautiful ways. To my son, Johnny, who passed away 10 years ago. During his life, he was unconditionally my biggest fan, and his spirit still fuels my dedication. To my daughter, Jennifer, thank you for traveling the world by my side, supporting me across different countries, and sharing in the grand adventure of building other families.

A very special kudos belongs to my dad, whose belief in me became the bedrock of Building Families, Inc. When the concept of surrogacy was completely foreign, he gave me the vital seed money to start this agency. He believed in my vision and trusted my heart, even when he didn’t fully understand what it was I wanted to do. I would not be standing here today without his early, unquestioning support.

I have been blessed with an incredible circle of support throughout the years. There are so many individuals who have walked alongside me that it is impossible to name them all, but please know that your presence in my journey has left an indelible mark on my heart.

I must extend my deepest gratitude to my past team members: Kim, Chris, Breann, Tracy, Lauryn, Shannon, Randi, Christine, Monique, Ana & Eva Maria. Your hard work, unwavering commitment, and dedication over the decades truly shaped the legacy and heart of this agency. To my brother, Jerry, who taught me what an SOP was and instilled in me its vital importance, your guidance helped build the structured foundation that allowed us to protect so many dreams.

I must also look back to the very beginning of this journey and thank Kevin Mahan, the first attorney I had the privilege of working with in surrogacy. The legal landscape was entirely uncharted back then, and I learned so much from Kevin and his wonderful wife, Paula; their early guidance helped set the ethical compass for everything we would build.

A special thank you goes to Keith Menor, my very first IT person. Keith quite literally introduced me to the internet and email, skillfully guiding BFI into the digital age. He was a true partner in those early days.  He took my raw ideas and transformed them into a well-built, seamless system. Keith built both my very first and my final website and all the ones in between.  BFI wouldn’t have been able to grow the way it did without his brilliant technical foundation.  

I wish to extend my profound gratitude to the medical community, especially Dr. Rad, Dr. Natasha, Dr. Garzo, Dr. Frederick, Dr. Hummel, Dr. Kettel and Dr. Friedman. You did not simply support my intended parents and surrogates through their clinical milestones; you also generously played the role of mentor and teacher to me, elevating my own understanding of this beautiful field.

To the intended parents who trusted us with your deepest dreams, thank you. To the selfless, heroic surrogates who gave so much of yourselves to make those dreams a reality: you were the heartbeat of Building Families and are the soul of this industry. Building Families was never just a business to me; it was a lifelong calling. While I am now closing this chapter and our doors, the legacy of our incredible community lives on in the thousands of laughter-filled homes, the growing children, and the generations of families that now exist because we dared to believe in what was possible.  

Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of your stories, and for being the most magnificent part of mine. I walk into this next chapter of my life forever changed, forever grateful, and profoundly proud of what we built.

With all my love and deepest gratitude,

Carol 

Owner & Director, Building Families, Inc.

While legal clarity and clinical precision form the structure of a surrogacy journey, it’s compassion and connection that breathe life into it. For many intended parents, this isn’t just a path to parenthood—it’s the most intimate hope they’ve ever shared. And they don’t want to feel like clients in a system; they want to feel like people in a relationship.
Even in arrangements that are meant to be strictly professional, a warm connection with the surrogate, the agency, and the team brings a sense of comfort. It softens the stress and reminds intended parents that they’re not alone. A kind check-in, a moment of shared excitement after an ultrasound, or a thoughtful message of reassurance during the waiting—all of it matters.
Agencies that foster this sense of relationship—not forced intimacy, but genuine human care—build trust that lasts far beyond delivery. And for many intended parents, that emotional grounding is just as valuable as the medical outcomes.

For intended parents—especially those navigating surrogacy across state or national borders—clarity around legal and logistical matters is not just comforting, it’s essential.
They need to know, with confidence, that the agency and their attorney have a firm grasp of the laws surrounding parentage in the surrogate’s state or country, and how those laws affect custody, birth certificates, insurance, and post-birth travel. International intended parents, in particular, often feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar systems—concerned not just with the pregnancy, but with citizenship, visas, and hospital protocols.
This is where a knowledgeable, well-organized agency becomes invaluable. Clear timelines, document checklists, and legal explanations (delivered without jargon) provide a sense of structure. Equally important is the coordination between attorneys, medical teams, and government agencies—ensuring that no step is missed and that intended parents feel supported, not sidelined.
When agencies lead with precision and proactive planning, intended parents are better able to enjoy the experience—because they’re not bracing for last-minute surprises. They feel like partners in the process, not passengers.

For intended parents, the decision to move forward with a surrogate is both hopeful and vulnerable. They’re placing their trust—and often their only remaining embryos—in someone else’s care. That level of trust doesn’t come from a résumé; it comes from thorough, professional evaluation and thoughtful preparation.
Medical readiness is just the beginning. Intended parents want to know that the surrogate has had a detailed health review, understands the treatment protocol, and has the physical ability to carry a pregnancy safely. But equally important is her psychological preparedness—does she truly understand the demands of the journey, emotionally and relationally? Has she considered the commitments, boundaries, and potential “what ifs”?
Experienced agencies don’t rush this part. They ensure the surrogate’s motivations are clear, her support system is in place, and that she’s entering the process for the right reasons. When intended parents feel that these screenings have been done with care and depth—not just as formalities—they’re more at ease, knowing the foundation is solid.
That peace of mind allows the relationship to grow with confidence instead of caution.

For many intended parents, communication is not just a preference—it’s a cornerstone of their journey. How updates are shared, how often contact occurs, who initiates discussions, and how everyone stays informed can shape the entire emotional arc of the journey.
What they need is predictability. Not rigid rules, but a mutual understanding established early on: Do we text? Video chat? Do intended parents attend appointments or wait for updates afterward? Do we want regular check-ins or milestone-only communication?
When these questions are left unasked, assumptions creep in—and mismatched expectations often follow. A surrogate might feel overwhelmed by too many messages. Intended parents might feel disconnected by too few. But when the communication plan is clarified in the earliest stages—ideally during or even before matching—everyone feels more grounded and respected.
And when handled with compassion, these conversations create more than schedules. They create comfort, connection, and a shared rhythm that sustains the relationship through each phase of the process.

For intended parents, stepping into a surrogacy journey often means entering unfamiliar territory—legal intricacies, medical timelines, emotional highs and lows. What brings reassurance is knowing they’re not navigating it alone.
Access to a comprehensive, professional support system—including licensed psychologists, experienced attorneys, compassionate case managers, and trusted clinics—provides more than logistics. It offers peace of mind.
Psychological support helps intended parents manage complex emotions: anxiety about outcomes, fears of disappointment, or even navigating their own fertility history. Legal experts ensure rights and responsibilities are clear, boundaries are protected, and that both parties feel respected throughout the contract process. Medical teams bring predictability and transparency to procedures. And a responsive agency coordinator acts as the steady, informed hand guiding them through each step.
When these professionals work together—anchored by ethical standards and open communication—intended parents can focus more on hope and connection, and less on managing risk. They feel held, not just handled.

A successful surrogacy journey doesn’t begin with a contract—it begins with shared understanding. Intended parents often feel the most peace of mind when they know they’re aligned with their surrogate not just legally, but emotionally and ethically.
These values can show up in quiet yet profound ways: views on selective reduction, preferences for lifestyle choices during pregnancy, openness to communication, and expectations around how the relationship continues after birth. None of these are “right” or “wrong,” but misalignment can lead to confusion or conflict when clarity is needed most.
That’s why it’s crucial for agencies to foster conversations early on that go deeper than surface-level questions. It’s not enough to ask, “Are you comfortable with X?”—we need to ask, “How do you feel about this, and why?” That’s where intention surfaces, and where alignment can truly be assessed.
When intended parents feel seen and understood in their values—and when they sense that their surrogate holds similar intentions—they’re far more likely to feel secure, supported, and emotionally connected throughout the process.

While every surrogacy journey is unique, intended parents often share common hopes, questions, and concerns as they navigate the process. Over the years, I’ve observed seven themes that consistently emerge—each one offering a window into what matters most from their perspective.
This series explores those themes in depth, from the importance of transparency and shared values to the practical need for legal clarity and emotional connection. Whether you’re an agency professional, a surrogate, or an intended parent yourself, these reflections are designed to guide thoughtful, ethical, and compassionate surrogacy experiences.