This past weekend my family and I had the special privilege of attending Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA) of Michigan’s 5 year baby reunion. RMA of Michigan is the infertility clinic that helped my husband and I get pregnant and finally become parents. You can read more about my journey to motherhood in one of my favorite blog entries called Brennen’s Story: Part 1, by clicking here.
We got the invitation to the reunion a couple of months ago and I immediately knew that I wanted to attend. We are extremely grateful to RMA, not only for helping us to become parents, but also for the tremendous support and understanding we received throughout the IVF (invitro-fertilization) process. Infertility is not easy to talk about and it is even harder to experience, but the staff at RMA understood and empathized with our struggle. And although we had not visited the staff in a couple of years, we view them as part of our extended family. Each year we send them pictures of Brennen and a letter updating them on his milestones.
On the morning of the reunion I was unsure if the weather would cooperate enough for the picnic to go on as scheduled. On top of weather concerns, I was slightly apprehensive about attending the event. I knew that I would not know any of the families that would be there and thus by attending I would be proclaiming to a group of strangers, “I struggled with infertility.” Prior to starting my blog, only those closest to me know of my struggle to become pregnant.
When we got to the park where the reunion would take place, the weather cleared up right away along with my apprehension. Not only was the sun shining and the temperature warming, but I also got to watch family after family walk to the picnic shelter with babies and toddlers in tow. Moms and Dads who once thought that they many never become parents, just like my hubby and I once thought. I felt a sense of belonging amidst a sea of strangers. I knew they understood our struggle and I knew they understood our joy. And although each family had its own unique story, we were bonded together by our triumph over infertility.
Look at all the families! 
To put it simply, the reunion was a joyous event for all. Each family was greeted by a RMA staff member and given a goodie bag for the kids. The bag was filled with hand sanitizer, a coloring book, crayons, a cookie etc.
Isn't this cookie awesome! It looks too good to eat!
There was a yummy buffet of food hot off the grill and even PB & J’s for the kids! The picnic shelter was right next to the playground. Brennen couldn’t get enough of the swings. Afterall, he is a big boy now and knows how to pump!
Such a cutie!
They also had an air brush tattoo artist which Brennen wanted nothing to do with. But Brennen was enthralled by the balloon animal artist. Check out what Brennen got!
A sword the size of him!
Not that best picture, but still a special picture!
So thank you RMA for having the baby reunion! It was a special day! But most importantly, thank you for helping us become parents! You will always be part of our family and I can’t wait to tell Brennen his story!
