Melody and Taylor

We are Melody and Taylor, both born and raised in Memphis, TN. We stumbled across TFA 5 years into marriage and 2 full years of TTC. We currently are in the process of adoption while in the same breath, trying to conceive.

Taylor, 1 of 10 children, and I, an only child, grew up in the same neighborhood as kids. However, our senior year of highschool, we ‘met’ again and began dating at just 17 years old. I was diagnosed with PCOS at 14. My periods and symptoms were only regular if I was taking birth control. My doctor at that time knew I was not trying to get pregnant so this was the temporary solution for a much deeper problem I didn’t know I’d have in my 20s. Taylor and I dated throughout college and grad school; he proposed in 2014 at our Alma Mater during Christmas card photos. I was totally shocked that we were finally at this place of moving our lives forward. Taylor and I got married in 2015 with friends and family who have seen us grow up together and have been a part of our story since day 1.

3 years into marriage, we were settled down, we had a house, steady jobs, a couple of sweet pups, and were ready to start TTC. However, much to my surprise (sarcasm), I didn’t have my first period for 9 months. Year 1 was gone in a flash. Year 2 of TTC, the pandemic hit and I began working from home. I had my first period 2 weeks after the stay at home order. 31 days later, another, skipped a month, then another! This process repeated until September of 2020. In September we were on a beach trip celebrating a friend’s 30th birthday. It hit Taylor and I that 2021 was OUR year to turn 30! As we reflected, we both assumed we’d be done growing our family by now. We brought back up adoption during that trip and decided to pursue it. We had spent so much time thinking we’d adopt later in life and to keep trying to conceive. All our friends were having kids and/or pregnant. It was a tough pill to swallow. I started to see a specialist to see if we could find any answers.

I chose a Fertility Specialist who specializes in Natural Family Planning. Everyone has their own path; we have chosen to figure out my hormones and do everything we can to conceive naturally. After only 1 month of visits, I already had answers. I wasn’t ovulating even though I was having periods. I did a full hormone panel the next visit; I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. How was this never caught before? Although, all signs pointed to it! People that know us would never describe either of us as lazy; we are at a constant state of busy. Yet, I was steadily gaining….steadily going through bouts of depression. Steadily trying all the fad diets, failing, and steadily trying to be a mom.

After one month of thyroid meds, I had my first confirmed OVULATORY cycle! We were over the moon! As I tell people about our story, they circle back to adoption. Usually the conversation goes like this, “So you’re trying to conceive but also trying to adopt?” Or, “Are you still going to adopt if you get pregnant?” To those of you that may be thinking this as well, we want you to know that adoption is NOT less than pregnancy. We absolutely will pursue both. It is our family! We pray that pregnancy is an option for us. Our doors and hearts are open and our table is ready to be full of love and laughter to all God has planned to be around it. Here is to year 3 of TTC. We are rested and recharged; we’re ready for you!