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.