To set the scene, it is Chicago, 2012. Courtney is living downtown, and Aaron is in from Wyoming visiting his sister, who just so happens to be Courtney’s best friend. “Call Me Maybe” is blaring on the radio, life is good. But fate had other plans, and they wouldn’t meet again until 2021 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Fast-forward to a rambling voicemail plea for decorating help from Aaron. After Aaron’s best friend and sister passed on the job, Courtney saved the day. First came friendship, then love and marriage, then the infertility pause button.

Starting a family has always been the dream for Courtney and Aaron, but the financial burden of IVF made it just out of reach and weighed heavily on their hopes. They continued living life in their modern romcom with a cross-country move, graduate school, career changes, and kept wishing on birthday candles for a baby. With the support of Chicago Coalition for Family Building, Courtney and Aaron can now push play on this next chapter towards parenthood.

Courtney and Aaron are the recipients of a donated IVF cycle from our Partner Practice, Fertility Centers of Illinois.