What if the greatest fertility booster isn’t a supplement or a doctor’s appointment—but something hiding in your family history?
Recently, I stumbled on a news story that stopped me in my tracks. It was one of those rare moments that made me put my phone down and just feel. In this viral video, a daughter surprises her dad at her wedding with a recording of her great grandfather singing—a voice from the past echoing through generations. The look on her father’s face as he hears this piece of family legacy? Absolutely priceless. I was wiping away tears I didn’t see coming.
But beyond the emotion, it made me think: Is there something about our connections to the past, to our family stories, that actually fuels the hope and drive so many of us bring to our fertility journeys? And if so, why do we so rarely talk about it?
The Hidden Power of Legacy in the Fertility Journey
If you’re reading Nestful, chances are you’re somewhere along the wild, beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking path toward building your family. Maybe you’re struggling with infertility, or maybe you’re exploring alternative paths, like at-home insemination, IVF, or adoption. It’s easy to get lost in the paperwork, the medical jargon, or the countless “what-ifs.”
But beneath all this, there’s another force at play—the yearning to add a new branch to your family tree. And that’s where the story of the singing great-grandfather hit home for me. Because when I think about my own fertility journey, what keeps me going isn’t just the hope of seeing a positive pregnancy test. It’s hearing my grandmother’s laughter, remembering my dad’s favorite lullaby, or picturing the holidays we’ll create someday.
That’s the open secret: fertility is about more than biology—it’s about becoming part of a story that started long before us and will (hopefully!) continue long after.
Why We Cling to Old Family Photos (and Why It Matters)
Ever found yourself scrolling through old photos or replaying a video just to hear a loved one’s voice? You’re not alone—and it’s more than nostalgia. Studies show that connecting with our family’s stories can:
- Boost our sense of belonging and resilience
- Help us weather the emotional storms of infertility or setbacks
- Reignite our motivation to keep going, even when the next step feels scary
That’s especially true during moments of uncertainty. When yet another fertility treatment fails or the adoption process drags on, it can feel like you’re floating untethered. But remembering what (and who) you’re doing this for? That’s grounding.
More Than Just DNA: The Family We Build
Here’s the twist: Family isn’t just the people who share your genes. For many of us, especially those taking alternative paths to parenthood, it’s about intention, love, and shared moments—just like that wedding surprise.
In my own experience, using an at-home insemination kit was less about the mechanics and more about reclaiming agency—and hope—in a process that often felt out of my hands. Products like MakeAMom's at-home insemination kits have allowed people like me (and maybe you) to shape our own family stories, outside of cold clinical walls. Whether you’re single, LGBTQ+, or have a medical condition like vaginismus (shoutout to their BabyMaker kit), the fact that you can start this journey at home, surrounded by your own memories and mementos, is nothing short of revolutionary.
And because MakeAMom’s kits are reusable, cost-effective, and sent in discrete packaging, you can focus more on the journey—and less on logistics. To me, that’s not just about convenience. It’s about creating space for rituals: playing your favorite childhood song, lighting a candle for a loved one, or sharing a story from your family’s past as you take that next big step.
Keeping Memory Alive—For the Future You’re Creating
Here’s a challenge: the next time you’re preparing for a fertility treatment, insemination, or any Other Big Step, pause and bring a piece of your family’s past with you. Maybe it’s a recording like in the viral video, a photo, or a simple story. Let it remind you why you’re doing this.
- Who are you hoping to meet on the other side of this journey?
- What family traditions or values do you want to pass down?
- How do you want your child—however they arrive—to know the story of where they came from?
I believe the key to surviving (and thriving) on a fertility journey isn’t just medical. It’s emotional. It’s holding tight to our roots, even as we reach toward the future.
Ready to Add Your Voice?
We might not all have a great-grandfather’s recording to play at our weddings, but we all have a story to add. Whether you’re just starting your path to parenthood or knee-deep in the process, don’t forget: your memories matter. Your legacy matters. And someday, your story might just be the song that surprises the next generation.
Have you found ways to honor your family legacy on your fertility journey? Drop a comment, share your story, or tag a friend below. Let’s fill the next chapter with voices, memories, and hope.
Because in the end, it’s not just about making a baby. It’s about making a family—and a story worth telling.