More Than One Day: A Mother's Day Tribute from the Heart of TODA

Mother’s Day often feels like flowers and cards—but for many of us, motherhood started in moments far less polished.

Sometimes it begins with a diagnosis.
Sometimes after deep loss.
Sometimes with an unexpected email that changes your life forever.

At TODA, we believe in honoring the real and raw stories of motherhood—ones full of courage, fear, grace, and above all, love.

This blog entry is a tribute to three very different beginnings—Jessica’s, Jasmin’s, and Meagan’s. Stories that show how unconditional love takes root, grows stronger, and reshapes us into the moms our children need most.

Jessica’s Story: “Through them, I have learned the true meaning of unconditional love.”

From as far back as I can remember, I always dreamed of becoming a mom. When people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I never had a career in mind—I would simply say, "I want to be a mom one day." The moment I held my boys in my arms, I truly felt like my life began. Suddenly, every love song I had ever heard made sense, as if every word was meant for them. Being John and Oliver’s mom is the greatest gift I could have ever received. They fill my heart with joy and pride, and through them, I have learned the true meaning of unconditional love.

As a child, I spent years in and out of the hospital, enduring multiple surgeries. I missed out on many childhood moments, often too sick or recovering to join in the fun. But with John and Oliver, I feel like I'm reliving those moments, experiencing my own childhood through their eyes. Together, we create beautiful memories and enjoy endless adventures.
My greatest hope is to give them the best childhood possible.
It’s incredible how being a mom can fill a person’s life with such deep meaning, especially when it’s something you’ve always dreamed of.
These boys are my heart and soul, they’ve helped bring out the best in me and I am beyond blessed to be their mom. I hope I make them proud every day.
Thank you, John and Oliver, for choosing me. You were the missing pieces to my puzzle, and I will love you forever. xox
o
… Jessica

Jasmin’s Story: “She teaches me that strength isn't measured in size.”

Becoming a mother was never a straightforward path for me. My journey was marked by multiple losses, each one leaving an imprint on my soul. Every positive pregnancy test brought cautious hope; every goodbye shattered my dreams of becoming a mama.

Then came a pregnancy that reached seven months. I was terrified yet cautiously excited a feeling too complex to put into words. During a routine check, my midwife measured my belly and suspected the baby might be too big. She recommended an early C-section and sent us for an ultrasound. I recognized the look on her face before she even spoke. I’d seen it before

We were referred to a specialist clinic in Toronto for further testing and immediate results. I had a million questions but clung to faith and hope. That was the day we were told our child would be born with a form of dwarfism. Again—a million more questions. Just minutes after the diagnosis, we were asked if we wanted to continue the pregnancy. I was stunned. Anyone who knows me knows that all I’ve ever wanted is to be a mother. And in my eyes, this baby was the strongest one yet—the one who had made it the farthest.
Was I scared? Absolutely.
But having the support of an amazing partner helped those final two months pass with grace. We researched, shared the news with our families, and stood by each other every step of the way. On November 10th, she arrived like a whisper of grace—small but mighty, a living answer to every prayer I’d whispered in the dark. A new chapter began, one not filled with fear, but with fierce love. Yes, there were worries. The unknowns were overwhelming. But my heart didn’t see a diagnosis—it saw a daughter. A miracle. A fighter.
Every day, she teaches me that strength isn't measured in size. That joy can live inside the tiniest giggle. That motherhood—after all the grief and heartbreak—is a gift wrapped in resilience.
Ours is a story of loss, yes.
But more than that, it’s a story of love found—and the profound beauty of embracing your child exactly as they are.
… Jasmin

Meagan’s Story: “A unique situation to consider.”

If you had told me my journey into motherhood would start with an email, not a positive pregnancy test—I wouldn’t have believed you. But that's exactly how my story began: not with a test or contractions, but with a match. With a yes. With love.

September 4, 2023, the most perfect baby boy was born—and we didn’t even know it yet.

September 10, 2023, at 5:06 p.m., we got the email. I ignored it at first, assuming it was work-related. But my husband looked at his phone and urgently said, “Check your phone.”

The email read “We have a unique situation to consider.”

It was from our adoption agency. They were looking for a family to say yes—not just to a child, but to his diagnosis, his future, his whole story. The email went on to read, “This little one has a diagnosis of Achondroplasia.”

We sat down, did our research, talked through our hearts—and we said yes. We were ready. We wanted to be his parents.
**September 18th**, after many sleepless nights, we got a Zoom invite from our agency. We were expecting an update on new health information—or another "not picked" call. Instead, we heard the words: **“Congratulations, you were picked. Do you want to see a picture of your son?”**
I think I said *“Shut up!”*—then immediately burst into tears.
The first time I saw Lincoln’s photo, I *knew*. I was already his mom.
We both immediately left work, packed our bags and drove to meet him. I’ll never forget walking through that door, seeing him cradled in his foster mom’s arms, and being handed to me. That moment—it was everything. I held him for just seconds, but my love was already infinite and unconditional.
I promised his birth mother that I would love and advocate for him fiercely and unconditionally. And every day since, I’ve kept that promise and will continue to do so until my last breath.
Motherhood came to me through adoption. Through a diagnosis but, it’s the greatest gift I’ve ever been given.
And every day, I’m grateful—for him, and his birth mom for loving him before me. As well as for this community we’re building.

One story. One voice at a time.
Thank you for reading mine.

…
Meagan

🌸 Mother’s Day at TODA 🌸

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate all of you:

The moms in the trenches.
The ones waiting, grieving, or healing.
The ones raising kids with extra needs, extra strength, and extra joy.
The moms, aunts, grandparents, caregivers, foster—even dads—who show up every day with love.

You matter.
You are seen.
You belong here.

Happy Mother’s Day—from all of us at TODA.

With love,
Jessica, Jasmin & Meagan