Surrogacy in Canada: A New Kind of Christmas
By Jessica Jamieson
My perspective on family and the holidays has changed since the birth of my surrogate baby. As Christmas approaches, I’ve started to realize that surrogacy is so much more than just helping someone have a child. It is all the little moments that those parents will have with their child for years to come. As a mother, Christmas has always been a time that I cherish. I can see that feeling come to life as I watch my intended parents fall in love with Christmas in a whole new way as they experience it with their child.
Surrogacy is not just helping a family to grow. It's the gift of endless tender moments shared, for all the years ahead.
The holiday season has always been my favorite time of year. The last thirteen Christmases have been extra special as I was able to, not only share my family traditions, but also create new ones with my children. In our home, we have a large pre-lit Christmas tree. I remember when my babies were little, I would keep all of the decorations high enough on the tree that they could not reach them. They would feel the branches with their tiny little fingers and their eyes would glow with the reflection of the twinkling lights – absorbing all they could of this beautiful green thing in the middle of our living room.
As years went by, my babies grew to become curious and adventurous little ones that wanted to do whatever their mom did. The decorations began to only fill the bottom of the tree and they took so much pride in decorating the tree themselves. I would hide the glass ornaments and let them create their Christmas masterpiece within the branches they could reach (though let's be honest, I rearranged a little bit after they went to bed haha). Every year it became more and more exciting for us to pull out that big tree.
Now my kids are older. We have the same big pre-lit tree. The decorations cover the tree entirely. We have handmade decorations from the kids all over it. Every time we pull them out, memories of those past years come up in my mind. When I look at this tree, I feel so grateful for every year I’ve had with my children. I am so blessed to have these memories.
This year for the first time, my oldest placed the star on the top of the tree. It feels like I am closing a chapter on these magical little moments. As my family transitions out of our Christmas traditions, we have also transitioned into something even better to enjoy – knowing my intended parents and their son are now creating their own Christmas traditions together as a family.
Their little guy is the joy of all our hearts. He is just over one year old this Christmas and like most toddlers, he gets into everything! I imagine his little fingers grasping the tree and decorations with curiosity. I wonder if his eyes twinkle just like my kids. I know for a fact; his parents will sit near him and capture every single tiny moment in their hearts. Soon they will begin their own collection of hand-made decorations from their son. They will smile as they think back to his first-time unwrapping gifts, the first time he touches snow, and his reaction to seeing his first real life Santa.
I can’t help but beam with pride this time of year. Another family on the other side of the world will experience the joys of Christmas together and feel that little bit of extra magic that comes with sharing it with their child. Surrogacy is not just helping a family to grow. It's the gift of endless tender moments shared, for all the years ahead. It feels like my pregnancy ended in the blink of an eye, but I know that what came from it will last a lifetime.
Jessica Jamieson is the Surrogacy Support and Intake Manager at JA Surrogacy Consulting. Prior to coming to JA, Jessica worked as a birth doula and a care giver for foster children and children with special needs. Beyond supporting JA surrogates through the process, she has also completed her own surrogacy journey with two intended fathers. Learn more about Jessica by visiting the Our Team page on our website.
