What if the thing you’ve been hoping for comes back in the most unexpected way?
Just this morning, as I sipped my decidedly mediocre oat milk latte and scrolled through the news, something stopped me cold. It wasn’t the latest headline about AI or even Taylor Swift’s new album drop (though… I mean, obviously, I clicked that too). No, it was a video of a baby eagle named Sunny, returning to her nest in Big Bear, California, and reuniting with her sister, Gizmo, after everyone thought she might never come back. (Watch the story here)
At first, I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to get emotional. There are lots of adorable animal videos online (looking at you, capybara in a hot tub). But something about Sunny’s journey hit me right in the gut. Because, whether you’re an eagle, a hopeful parent, or just a human trying to find your way, nesting is about so much more than just a home—it’s about the longing, the waiting, the wild, uncontainable hope that maybe, just maybe, what you love will return or arrive after all.
When Hope Feels Like Waiting for a Baby Eagle
If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve stared longingly at your own version of the “empty nest.” Maybe it’s a literal nursery you’ve carefully painted or a future you imagine but can’t quite reach. Maybe you’ve tried everything from diets full of “fertility superfoods” (beetroot, anyone?) to endless doctor appointments and acronyms that sound like radio stations—IVF, IUI, HSG.
I’ve been there. There’s this ache that sits with you, especially in the quiet moments. You wonder: Is my baby ever coming home? Is my family ever going to look the way I hope? Or, like Sunny, have they spread their wings and flown off into the unknown?
The Unexpected Return: Why We Can’t Give Up
Here’s the twist that got me: The scientists watching Sunny didn’t think she’d come back. Ninety days old, already fledged, she was supposed to be gone. But she returned, and not just for food—but for connection. For her sister. For that sense of safety, belonging, and love that only home can give.
Isn’t that what drives us, too? Whether you’re single or partnered, LGBTQ+ or straight, dealing with medical hurdles or just starting out, we all crave that sense of family—the people (or eagles!) who make us feel complete.
So much of fertility, especially in 2025, feels like a gamble. But what if the story isn’t finished yet? What if the answer is already on its way back to your nest?
Let’s Talk About The Tools That Make Waiting Easier
I thought back to my own journey—the late-night Google searches, the forums, the hopeful pees on a million sticks. And something clicked: It’s okay to look for help. It’s okay to try new things, or circle back to old hopes. The world has changed so much, even in just the last year, and there are more options than ever for building your family on your terms.
One resource I genuinely wish I’d known about sooner is this page on at-home insemination options. Companies like MakeAMom are changing what it means to “try at home”—there’s comfort in having something that puts control (and hope) back in your hands. Their kits, from CryoBaby for low-volume or frozen sperm to the BabyMaker for people with sensitivities, are designed to meet you where you are—no clinical waiting rooms, no awkward stares, just you and your plans for the future. Plus, with a reusable, budget-friendly approach and a 67% average success rate, it’s more than just science; it’s a movement toward empowerment and privacy.
Questions NO ONE Warns You About (But You Need to Ask)
- What if hope looks different than I imagined?
- Am I willing to try a new tool, or revisit an old dream?
- What unexpected miracles have happened for others on this journey?
Sometimes, like with Sunny the eagle, miracles don’t look like fireworks. They look like coming home. Like trying again, even when “the experts” say the odds are slim. Like finding support in a community that actually gets it.
Your Nest Isn’t Empty—It’s Waiting
In the end, Sunny reminded me (and hopefully you) that absence doesn’t mean hopelessness, and time away from our dreams can be precisely what’s needed for a miraculous return.
If you’re sitting in your own nest, heart aching for what’s missing, take this as your sign not to give up. Try that new thing. Reach out. Share your story. The science is on our side, yes—but so is the power of unexpected, stubborn hope.
So, what’s the next step you’ll try for your family? Have you had a “Sunny returns” moment in your journey? Drop a comment—I’d love to cheer you on. After all, we’re all nesting together.