As both a registered nurse specializing in women’s health and a woman who has walked the difficult, often heartbreaking journey of infertility, pregnancy loss, and building a family through IVF and adoption, I know that starting a new year can bring a mix of emotions. For many of us who have faced challenges in growing our families—whether through infertility, pregnancy loss, or non-traditional methods like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or adoption—the beginning of a new year may bring with it both hope and hesitation.

But this year, in 2025, I urge you to embrace the opportunity for a fresh start. I want to share a message of unwavering hope, a call to approach the future with optimism, and to remain curious about what may be waiting just around the corner. As we embark on a new year, let’s take a collective breath and look forward to what’s possible for every family, in whatever form that family may take.

 A Year for New Beginnings

The past few years have been challenging for so many. We’ve faced personal losses, emotional rollercoasters, and the difficult road of trying to create the family we long for. If you are reading this and have struggled with infertility, had to navigate the complicated world of IVF, experienced the heartache of pregnancy loss, or built your family through adoption, I want you to know that your journey is valid. Whatever path you’ve taken to grow your family, you are not alone, and there is always room for hope.

As a nurse, I often witness the toll that fertility struggles take on the body and mind. As a woman who has lived through the ups and downs of this journey, I can personally attest to how emotionally and physically exhausting it can be. Yet, in my experience, I have also seen the incredible strength and resilience that families possess. Even when the road ahead feels unclear or impossibly long, we find ways to move forward, often taking small steps toward a future that we cannot yet see but trust will be worth the wait.

This year, I encourage you to make 2025 the year of unwavering hope. It is not about ignoring the pain or pretending the road is easy. It’s about understanding that hope does not negate reality, but rather, it sustains us through the challenges. It’s about making space for joy, curiosity, and the belief that what you long for can still come to you, even if the path looks different than you originally imagined.

Empowering Families: The Beauty of Non-Traditional Journeys

One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and each other in 2025 is to remain open and curious about the potential of non-traditional family-building paths. Whether you are considering IVF, surrogacy, adoption, or another route to creating your family, there is beauty in the diversity of ways families are formed. The world is rich with options for growth, and each journey is a testament to the resilience and love of the people involved.

IVF, surrogacy, and adoption can often feel like labyrinths of complexity, with twists and turns that we didn’t expect, both in terms of logistics and emotional readiness. But these paths are full of opportunities for growth, learning, and profound connections. The hope that fuels each cycle, each match, each step forward is a reminder that we can always find new beginnings.

As a woman who has been through multiple rounds of IVF and experienced the heartache of pregnancy loss, I can tell you that there were times when I felt as though I was losing my footing. But it was in those moments of deep uncertainty that I found the strength to hold on to the idea that there was still something waiting for me at the end of the journey—something that would make all the challenges worthwhile. For me, that something came in the form of our miracle IVF son, and our beautiful blessing of a daughter by way of adoption, which transformed our family in ways I never could have imagined.

Whether you are still in the trenches of IVF, waiting to be matched with an adoption agency, or have already started building your family through non-traditional means, I want you to know that your path is valid. There is no “one right way” to build a family, and your love, your effort, and your journey are just as worthy and beautiful as any other. Let’s celebrate the fact that families come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s no wrong way to create one.

Hope is Not Just a Feeling—It’s a Practice

Hope isn’t always something that just *happens* to us. It’s something we have to actively choose, especially in the face of hardship. It’s easy to feel defeated when we’ve been met with disappointment or loss, but hope is something we can practice, like a muscle that grows stronger with time.

This year, I invite you to make hope a daily practice. Whether it’s through journaling, meditation, connecting with others who understand your journey, or simply taking moments to envision the family you are building, keep the flame of hope alive. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and support you, people who remind you that you are not alone in this process.

If you are in the early stages of your journey or still uncertain about what lies ahead, be gentle with yourself. It’s okay not to have all the answers. It’s okay to take time to grieve, to feel sad, to feel scared, and then to take a step forward. No feeling is too small or too insignificant. Your emotions are real, valid, and deserve to be acknowledged.

The new year is a time to leave behind what no longer serves us and to step forward into a future full of possibility. I encourage you to embrace 2025 with an open heart and a sense of curiosity about what the year holds. Perhaps it will be the year you get the positive pregnancy test you’ve been hoping for. Maybe it will be the year you finally meet your adopted child. Or maybe it will be a year of healing and growth, with space to rest and recharge as you continue your journey.

A Message of Inclusivity and Support

Finally, I want to make it clear that this message of hope and renewal is for all families—no matter your background, your path, or your struggles. Whether you are a single person dreaming of parenthood, a couple navigating infertility, a family pursuing adoption, or someone in the LGBTQ+ community building a family through surrogacy or other means, your journey is valid. There is no single “correct” way to become a family, and every story deserves to be heard and honored.

In 2025, let’s make space for each other’s journeys. Let’s lift those who may be struggling silently and offer support to those who need it most. Let’s create a community where no one feels alone, where hope is not just a feeling, but a shared experience.

This year is a fresh start. It’s a chance to let go of what has weighed us down and to embrace the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. Keep your heart open to the unexpected. You are stronger than you know, and your family, in whatever form it may take, is waiting for you to step into it with unwavering hope and curiosity.

Wishing you all a year filled with new beginnings, abundant hope, and the courage to keep moving forward, no matter what the path looks like.

Forever rooting for you,’

Rebecca Pomplas, BSN, RN

CEO & Founder 

The Daffodil Room Group