Nicole Barattini had always wanted children of her own. When she found out that her body could not handle a pregnancy, she thought that there was no longer a way for her dream to come true. Even though she felt hopeless after hearing this, things changed when her best friend decided to lend her a hand. In the end, they all got the surprise of a lifetime!
Her Dream
Kevin and Nicole Barattini lived in Smithton, New York. The couple walked down the aisle in 2010 and have been happily married ever since. They were the parents to two dogs, but they longed for more.
Her Dream
Shattered
They wanted to have children of their own as well! When Nicole paid a visit to the doctor to let him know of their plans, she got some upsetting news. No one likes it when their dreams get shattered.
Shattered
Curious Symptoms
You see, Nicole started to notice small red dots all over her skin when she was 16 years old. Soon enough, the marks covered her entire body! She did not think much about it until the symptoms got worse.
Curious Symptoms
What Could It Be?
Nicole was fatigued, had constant fevers, and jaundice. When she went to her doctor, they drew blood from her to find out what was going on. Soon enough they would find out what was ailing her.
What Could It Be?
A Lifelong Diagnosis
The results revealed that Nicole had thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or TTP. It is an autoimmune condition that leads to possibly fatal blood clots in the body. She was sent to the hospital and spent a couple of days receiving plasma transfusions. The professionals also prescribed her the medication she needed to keep the condition under control. For the most part, her life returned to normal.
A Lifelong Diagnosis
Not A Good Idea
It turns out that the TTP medication was going to have harmful effects on her offspring if she and Kevin decided to have kids. on her baby! This is the reason the doctors did not recommend her to try for a baby.
Not A Good Idea
Not An Option
She suggested going off the medication, but this was not a good idea either. After all, untreated TTP has a mortality rate of 95%. So what would Nicole do to stay safe but also achieve her dream of becoming a mom?
Not An Option
No One Wants To Hear That
Kevin recalled the moment Nicole told him the news. He said, “I got home from work and Nicole had that look on her face like something was wrong and I’m never going to forget it, I said, ‘What’s wrong?’ and she said, ‘The doctor doesn’t think we can have children.’ And, you know, nobody wants to hear that”.
No One Wants To Hear That
Awful News
Nicole was sad when she told Kevin the news, although he agreed that she should not put her life at risk for a baby. We can’t begin to imagine how saddened the couple must have been from the doctor’s findings.
Awful News
Considering Their Options
In the beginning, they thought adoption was the way to go. However, they could not help but look at other options when they learned how much it would cost them. After that, they started to wonder if they could take the surrogacy or IVF route instead.
Considering Their Options
Froze Her Eggs
The doctors told them that Nicole’s condition was not genetic, so her eggs should be fine! So Nicole froze her eggs and looked for a surrogate. It was not going to easy, however.
Froze Her Eggs
More Obstacles
They were shocked to hear that it was going to cost them $75,000 to pay for a surrogate! On top of that, it was illegal in New York. If they wanted to do this, they had to look for someone from another state.
More Obstacles
Reaching Out
They informed their family and friends about their plans, which led to various offers to do it for them! Unfortunately, they had a hard time looking for someone who was suitable for such a task.
Reaching Out
A Friendship For Keeps
However, things changed when they got in touch with the Fives. The two couples had known each other for two decades. Lianna and Shawn Fives wanted a huge family and they got their wish.
A Friendship For Keeps
Their Big Brood
By the time Shawn was 40 and Lianna 37, they already had five kids. A few months after giving birth to their youngest, they invited Nicole and Kevin to come over for dinner at their house.
Their Big Brood
Just One Please
“You know I have five children, Shawn, and I want to have maybe one or two more,” Lianna told the Barattinis. Nicole and Kevin were both puzzled to hear this. They could not understand why they wanted even more than they already had. All this poor couple wanted was one!
Just One Please
An Amazing Offer
But then Lianna clarified and said, “No, not for me, for you guys – I’d like to carry a child.” The realization dawned on them at that moment. Was Lianna really offering to be the surrogate?
An Amazing Offer
What Was That?
Kevin and Nicole couldn’t believe their ears. Were their longtime friends really going to do such a thing for them? Was Lianna really going to be their surrogate? It seemed too good to be true!
What Was That?
Implantation
Before they could go through with this, Lianna had to take mental and medical tests. Luckily, she passed them without a problem. At last, it was time for the implantation of the embryos.
Implantation
Hopeful
The Barattinis swore to stick by Lianna the entire time. Unfortunately, the baby did not take. Under the encouragement of the doctors, they gave it another shot. They were all anxious as they waited for the results to come out.
Hopeful
Pregnant At Last
At last, Lianna was expecting a baby! Nicole and Kevin were now a step closer to becoming parents. They couldn’t believe it! There was even more good news waiting for them.
Pregnant At Last
Not One, But Two!
It turned out that two embryos took, which meant Lianna was carrying a pair of twins. The Barattinis had been thrilled to hear this, and Shawn and Lianna were happy for them as well. They all took the time to celebrate this momentous occasion!
Not One, But Two!
Time To Celebrate
The Barattinis and the Fives planned an announcement party to let their loved ones know about the twin babies on the way. Both couples invited their friends and family, which is why there were 60 guests in attendance.
Time To Celebrate
The Good News
Everyone knew how much the Barattinis wanted kids of their own, so everyone was glad to hear the good news! We bet it was a day full of both happiness and tears.
The Good News
2 Peas In A Pod
After a normal pregnancy, Lianna finally delivered not one, but two babies on the 10th of February in 2017. They had a girl and a boy, whom they called Luciana and Dominic.
2 Peas In A Pod
The Big Day
Kevin and Nicole could not help but cry when they saw their newborn children. They both came out with no difficulties, and they were just adorable! Finally, their dream had come true.
The Big Day
So Appreciative
What made the couple feel even more emotional was the fact that it would not have happened if their friends did not act out of selflessness. They didn’t even know how to show their appreciation.
So Appreciative
Like A Sister
Nicole described Lianna and said, “I don’t have a sister but I’d consider her like that. We don’t hold back, we are open, honest, and I am constantly turning to her for guidance.”
Like A Sister
A Tight Bond
We are not surprised to hear that Lianna and Shawn are the godparents to the twins! This development only made their friendship that much stronger. All four of them are all smiles at the twins’ Baptism.
A Tight Bond
Cue The Press
As you can imagine the story received a lot of attention, and the four adults were featured on many news programs. Their story went public and started getting a lot of attention from both the press and the public!
Cue The Press
Paying It Forward
Kevin and Nicole are passionate about helping other people in the same boat. The couple began to campaign for the legalization of surrogacy in New York. They wanted to pay their good luck forward.
Paying It Forward
Making A Change
Kevin took to Facebook to write this message: “We have been working with local legislators and [infertility specialists] Reproductive Specialists of New York to make surrogacy recognized in New York State. That being said we are happy that our story went public to help others in the time of need.”
Making A Change
Passionate Parents
The Barattinis remain hopeful that the publicity their story received will give hope to other people who wanted to have kids but could not get pregnant. To this day, the couple continues to fight for their advocacy at the same time they raise their kids!
Passionate Parents
Helping Out
“There are people out there, like Lianna, that will do it out of kindness – and it’s easier to find them than it seems. It’s never the end of the road,” said Nicole. There are always options!
Helping Out
So Much Kindness
Isn’t it great that someone out there is willing to do such a thing without anything in return? We commend people like Lianna who do things for others out of the kindness of their heart.
So Much Kindness
So Much Love
We are so glad to hear that these two families remain good friends to this day. They are one family now, so it only makes sense! How lucky Luciana and Dominic are to grow up around so many people who love them!
So Much Love
Officially Parents
Kevin and Nicole legally became the twins’ parents in a heartfelt ceremony at their local courthouse. Although the twins are a product of Nicole’s embryos, legally speaking, Lianna is the birth mother and legal rights needed to be handed over.
Officially Parents
Overjoyed
We can’t even begin to imagine the joy these two must have felt after finally becoming parents. After struggling to have kids for so long, their wish was finally granted!
Overjoyed
From Dream To Reality
The twins are now 2 years old and they’re doing amazing! Kevin and Nicole couldn’t be happier to have two little ones of their own. They feel blessed and thank God every day for making their dream of becoming parents a reality.
From Dream To Reality
Thanks Lianna
Kevin and Nicole are eternally grateful for this wonderful woman they get to call their friend and their miracle-worker! None of this would have been possible without Lianna’s charitable effort that changed her good friends’ lives forever.
Thanks Lianna