Paths to Parenthood
Paths to Parenthood
I’ve held off on posting because I needed a moment to truly decompress and take in all that this experience meant to me. When my dear friend Sara Foster first came to me with her idea for this event, my heart immediately lit up. I was honored—and deeply moved—by her vision.
Living in Nashville, it’s nearly impossible to go a day without crossing paths with someone in the music industry. But behind the glitz and creativity lies a quieter, often unspoken struggle—infertility. For touring artists, managers, and production teams constantly on the road, the idea of “family planning” becomes more than just difficult—it can feel impossible. And for women especially, the pressure to choose between career and motherhood is relentless and deeply personal.
Sara's vision to create a space where we could speak openly about these challenges—specifically within the music world—was nothing short of brilliant. A panel focused on egg freezing, embryology, adoption, advocacy, IVF, and mental health wasn’t just important. It was essential.
As the planning unfolded and the panel began to take shape, I could feel how meaningful it was going to be. And when the day came, it exceeded every expectation.
Listening to these deeply personal stories was heartbreaking—each one carrying its own weight, its own ache. And yes… there were tears. So many tears. But somewhere in the midst of those tears, you could almost hear the collective exhale—the quiet, sacred release of people realizing they’re not alone.
It’s a feeling I know all too well. That moment when you’re wrapped in the understanding of others who truly get it—it’s indescribable. There’s something profoundly healing about finally feeling like you belong, even if it’s to a community you never imagined you’d be part of.
Before the event, I told the panel I wanted to give a grant to a couple—someone whose story truly embodied strength, hope, and heartbreak. And I found them.
Jillian and Ivan… their journey has been one of unimaginable pain, yet they’ve carried it with such quiet resilience. They graciously allowed me to share their story with the room—a story so raw and heavy, I had to pause more than once just to catch my breath. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at them as I read; the emotion was overwhelming.
What they didn’t know was that we were about to surprise them with a grant—something we are praying will lift a little of the weight they’ve been carrying and bring them closer to the family they dream of.
But even more powerful than the gift itself was what followed: a room full of people—many of them strangers—now holding them in prayer and hope. That kind of love, that kind of community… it’s everything.
Thank you to Elevate Real Estate and EPM Financial for generously sponsoring lunch for our attendees. Your support allowed everyone to share in meaningful conversation without worrying about growling stomachs afterwards.
To say this event was a success doesn’t even come close. It was powerful. It was healing. It was needed.
Sara, you took a vision born from your own pain and turned it into something truly beautiful—a space where truth was spoken, hearts were held, and hope was shared. I’m so deeply honored to have played even the smallest part in it.
Thank you for bravely continuing to share your story and for using your voice to shine light into the darkest corners of this disease. Because of you, it feels just a little less isolating… a little less terrifying… for so many.
