The Next Family: How did you start your family?
Lynn: We started our family – the journey -in 2003. My wife Christin and I decided that I would be the one to carry the pregnancy. I wanted to be pregnant. She had no desire. It was a very easy decision! With our son, Kyan, I got pregnant on our 4th IUI. We used an anonymous donor. It was a perfect pregnancy until the end when I developed preeclampsia, had an emergency c-section, and almost died. We spent 10 days in the hospital and I had a visiting nurse for almost 3 months. Kyan was born in March 2005.
With our daughter, Mia, the process was much harder. We started trying in March 2008. I went through many failed IUI’s. I honestly do not remember how many we did. On my 35th birthday(2010), I was approved for IVF. I got pregnant on our 4th IVF cycle in March 2011. Mia was born on November 26, 2011, via c-section. All was fine with this delivery.
The Next Family: How did you meet your partner?
Lynn: Christin and I met when we were in college in September 1996. I was her RA. I fell in love immediately!
The Next Family: Did you always want to have kids?
Lynn: No! Neither one of us thought we wanted children! then something happened to me at around age 27. I was ready. We waited a bit before trying. And we cannot imagine life any other way!
The Next Family: Where do you live?
Lynn: We live in West Bridgewater, MA. It is about 30 miles southeast of Boston. It is a small town of about 6000 people. We live in a house built in 1880 and have done many renovations ourselves!
The Next Family: What is the greatest (and the toughest) thing about being a parent?
Lynn: The toughest part of being a parent is letting your children hurt. When the kids are sad – especially now that our son is getting older, it is so hard! We support him and let him know that it is ok to feel that way and that it will pass. We talk openly about feelings. We give them the tools that they need to become successful people.
One of the greatest things about being a parent is see the world through their eyes. Everyday is new. Learning about this new kind of love as a parent was not something that we expected! It grows everyday! It is amazing watching our children become their own selves!
The Next Family: Does your family feel adversity?
Lynn: Overall, we feel very “accepted” as a family. My wife coaches all of our son’s sports, so all of the kids have grown up knowing her and us, and think nothing different that Kyan has 2 moms. One thing we struggle with right now is that our son hears kids using the word “gay” as a slur (“That’s so gay!”) and it really bothers him because he feels hurt that people who know his family would use that word in that way. We have had conversations with our friends about how to have a conversation with their kids on why that is hurtful and not ok, and that has been productive. We really are an “average” family… we both work full time, rush home from work, get the kids from school/daycare, have dinner, do homework, walk the dogs… we are soccer/basketball/baseball/gymnastics moms! We are very involved in our community.
The Next Family: Do you have any advice for LGBTQ youth?
Lynn: Be who you are and know that you are loved. If you struggle with acceptance from those you love, find people out in the world to help you. We are here.
The Next Family: What’s one life lesson you want to teach your children?
Lynn: I want our kids to know that we love them as they are. I want them to learn to accept people for who they are and to be agents of change in our world.
