When I think back on how our story began, I can still feel every emotion, the excitement, the waiting, the heartbreak, and eventually, the hope that changed everything. 

 

My husband Michael and I always dreamed of becoming parents. But after a year of trying with no success, we were referred to a fertility specialist. We hoped there would be a simple answer, something we could fix. Instead, we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. There was no clear reason, no solution, and no guarantees. 

 

What we didn’t know then was that we were far from alone. Infertility affects 1 in 6 people, yet it’s often a silent struggle carried behind closed doors. Hearing those words was crushing. We were young, healthy, and ready, yet our dream of becoming parents felt impossibly far away. 

 

Our doctor recommended IVF, which gave us hope but also a harsh reality check. In California, IVF often starts around $30,000 and up, and most insurance plans offer little to no coverage. For many couples like us, the dream of a family can feel financially out of reach. 

 

Still, we chose faith. We moved forward with hope in our hearts, trusting that somehow, some  

way, we’d hold our baby one day. 

 

When I became pregnant with our baby girl, Amelia Molloy, our hearts were overflowing with joy. But at just 13 weeks, I developed dangerously high blood pressure. By 19 weeks, things had become critical, and I was admitted to UCLA, where I fought a long, difficult week, not only for Amelia’s life but for my own as well. 

 

At 20 weeks, we heard the words no parent should ever have to hear: there was no longer any blood flow through her umbilical cord. We said goodbye to our beautiful girl far too soon.  We left the hospital with not only broken hearts, but empty arms. 

 

After losing Amelia, I was diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder that had been triggered by pregnancy hormones. My team of four specialists at UCLA all recommended that I get my tubes tied and no longer attempt to carry children. It was another harsh reality, one that made us fear we might never have children of our own. 

 

We began researching other ways to grow our family, but our hearts sank again when we learned the financial realities. Surrogacy can cost upwards of $200,000, and adoption often ranges from $40,000 to $60,000. After everything we had already been through, the hope we once had begun to fade. 

 

But through every tear and every setback, God was by our side. Our faith kept us grounded when everything else felt uncertain. We held tightly to the belief that He had a plan, even when we couldn’t see it. 

 

And then, something extraordinary happened. My best friend came forward and offered to carry a baby for us. Since we still had embryos, her selfless offer lit a new spark of hope in my soul. The kindness, faith, and love she showed us was life-changing, it gave us a chance to dream again. 

 

That moment of compassion became the inspiration behind Amelia Molloy’s Angels. My husband and myself wanted to honor Amelia by creating something that could bring that same hope to others walking through infertility, loss, and the painful waiting of wanting a child. 

 

What began as a small idea in our hearts has grown into a nonprofit dedicated to giving the gift of family and helping couples know they’re not alone. 

 

Through Amelia Molloy’s Angels, we provide Family Grants to help cover the cost of IVF, surrogacy, or adoption. We assemble Comfort Kits filled with thoughtful items for those in the middle of their journey, a tangible reminder that someone cares. And we host Talking with Angels support groups, where people can come together to share, heal, and find connection. 

 

Each year, our community gathers for events like our Tee Off Fore Infertility golf tournament and our Giving the Gift of Family Gala. These aren’t just fundraisers, they’re celebrations of hope, miracles, and love. 

 

Every time we’re able to help a couple bring a child into the world, or comfort someone in the midst of their infertility journey, I see Amelia’s light shining through. She may not be here in my arms, but she lives in everything we do, in every family we help, every story we share, every life we touch. 

 

And then, in what I can only describe as a miracle, our story came full circle. Through the grace of God and the incredible gift of surrogacy, our beautiful son Collins was born. He is living proof that faith can move mountains, that love finds a way, and that our angel Amelia is still watching over us every step of the way. 

 

Amelia gave me two gifts: the gift of being her mom, and the gift of purpose. Through her, I’ve learned that even through heartbreak, love can build something extraordinary. 

 

Our story is proof that with God by your side, faith, hope, and love can turn pain into purpose, and that even the tiniest angel can make the biggest difference. 

 

If you are faced with infertility issues of your own, just know that you are not alone.  Please visit our website at ameliamolloysangels.com. Let us encourage and help you. And if you would like to support our efforts through volunteering or financially, we’d love to hear from you.