WASHINGTON CITY —As a wife and mother of two prepares to become a surrogate for the second time, she wants people to know how beautiful the experience is and what it means for those unable to have children of their own.

“I think it’s the most rewarding thing ever to see somebody struggle and then be able to be that little part in their journey,” Tassia Burgess said about being a surrogate. “It’s such an intimate journey to be part of and feels so special. I feel so honored to be able to do this for them. I feel like the one that’s blessed.”

After having her first child, Burgess said she realized how much she loved the entire process of pregnancy, from the baby kicking to the miracle of birth. After having her second daughter, she wanted to experience the process again, but she and her husband felt their family of four was complete.

“I’ve had a lot of friends that struggled with infertility or frequent miscarriages and some that have not been able to have kids for about eight or nine years,” Burgess said. “Seeing people really struggle to be able to have their own biological children just struck a heartstring with me.”

After discussing the process of surrogacy with a friend who experienced it herself, she felt like it was the perfect fit for her.

“My kids are the biggest blessings of my life and I can’t imagine not being able to have them, so it was something I really wanted to be able to help other people do,” she said.

After extensive research, she worked with All Families Surrogacy, an agency that would guide her through the process and provide support, even after the baby was born. The company helps intended parents and surrogates from all over the U.S. and is based in Oregon. 

The process included an initial application, prescreening, a background check and verification that she was emotionally and financially stable with a strong support system. She then went through an extensive medical history check and physical exams.

Based on similar lifestyles, personalities and hopes for the pregnancy, Burgess was matched with Virginia and her husband Jared, who asked to be referred to on a first-name basis due to worries about surrogacy still being controversial and wanting to protect themselves. Residing in Washington State, the parents began their relationship with Burgess via Zoom. Burgess then flew to Oregon to meet them for the first time.

“We went on a little hike and picnic and the mom cried the first time we met,” Burgess said. “It was the sweetest thing. We had already established a connection at that point, and now we feel like we have a close set of friends or extended members of the family now.”

Virginia said she had long-term health issues that prevented her from being able to carry a pregnancy safely. She and her husband spent three years looking for friends and family who could carry the baby but were unsuccessful. That’s when they turned to the agency for help. 

“The family was more perfect than we could’ve found ourselves,” Virginia said. “Really, I’m not exaggerating. Our family expanded by more than just a baby.”

While it’s difficult to trust someone to create the future of their life, Virginia said after meeting Burgess and her family, they were all in.

At the time of her surrogacy, Burgess’s two girls were 3 and 6 years old. They loved being a part of the process and prayed for the baby at night. In stores, they proudly told strangers their mom was a surrogate. Her husband also has been supportive throughout the process, and the more he got to know the parents, the more excited he was for them.

“Every step of the way, you’re like, ‘I can’t wait to give them their baby,’” Burgess said. “I can’t wait to tell them their baby kicked for the first time. I can’t wait to send them this belly picture. So you get really excited. The experience is so special.”

Virginia said it was hard to be removed from carrying her own baby, but they went into the birth suite in the dark, early morning hours, filled with excitement and peace. On Feb. 9, 2022, at 4:25 p.m., Beckham was born, coming into the world at 6 pounds and 6 ounces.

“That tiny egg that had been removed from me so long ago had grown, and I caught my sweet boy before he took his first breath,” Virginia said. “It was a beautiful birth with not one dry eye in the room. That day, we became parents, and a part of ourselves that seemed to have died was reborn.”

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since the experience, Virginia said, adding that their baby boy brings them more joy than they could’ve ever imagined. 

“And for all the years where we felt different or not enough, watching all our friends with families of their own, we are whole and healed,” Virginia said.

While surrogates do get paid, Virginia said they don’t do it for the money, and there’s no amount they could be paid that would be enough. They are selfless, giving women who are excited to help grow families.

“Surrogacy means the ability to bring a dream into fruition,” Virginia said. “It takes us from darkness to light and makes hope for the future a reality. We chose surrogacy when all hope was lost and a door opened to a wonderful world that was more than we could’ve dreamed it would be. It’s a world of the most giving people, all focused on one thing – the future.”

When a surrogate coordinator position opened up at All Families Surrogacy, Burgess took it. She now does initial pre-screenings and applications for the agency, working closely with other surrogates and intended parents.

“I just love the world of surrogacy and it just opened up a whole new passion for me, and I didn’t want to leave that part of my journey behind,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of misconception out there about what it is and why people do it. I love talking about surrogacy every chance I get.” 

After hearing about another set of intended parents that were a great match, Burgess has chosen to take on the surrogate journey for a second time and will begin around May or June of this year.

What’s the most common question Burgess gets about surrogacy? Whether she gets connected to the baby and feels like it’s hers.

With many factors involved, Burgess said she knew it wasn’t her DNA from the beginning. After getting to know the parents, their story and their struggles, she felt excitement for the baby and the pregnancy, but that excitement was transferred to the parents.

All Families Surrogacy is a woman-run, woman-owned company, and over half the staff includes those who’ve been surrogates themselves. With around 60 sets of vetted intended parents waiting for babies, they are always looking for new surrogates to help parents achieve their dream of parenthood.

“We would love to have anybody that feels they qualify to apply because we need more women who can do this and help create a family for those that want it so badly,” Burgess said. 

For more information, visit the All Families Surrogacy website or email Burgess directly. Find Burgess on social media to follow her journey.

“You love these parents so much,” Burgess said. “To be able to see them get something they’ve waited years and years for is just absolutely beautiful.”

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