Bokula and DJ
OUR STORY
DJ and I met in New York City and immediately grew fond of each other. We were introduced by a mutual friend, to whom we are eternally grateful. Together we explored the city, attending Broadway shows and soaking in everything NYC has to offer. We complement each other well and share many similarities. We eventually moved to Pennsylvania and got married in Philadelphia surrounded by loved ones.
OUR HOBBIES AND INTERESTS:
We’re always up for an adventure, whether that means exploring a new city, trying a restaurant we’ve never heard of, or spending a Saturday at a museum or aquarium. DJ is a devoted Minnesota Vikings and Timberwolves fan, and when we’re not out exploring, you’ll usually find us cuddled up on the couch, happily binging a new Netflix show.
WHAT LED US TO SURROGACY
From the beginning, we shared a deep love for family. We both come from large, lively households, and we always envisioned raising children of our own. When we married, me at 33 and DJ at 35, we were excited to start building that future right away. After many months of negative pregnancy tests, we pursued fertility evaluations. All of our results were normal, which was both comforting and frustrating. We ultimately chose IVF, and we were grateful to have a successful transfer on our first attempt. We spent the months that followed eagerly preparing to welcome our daughter in July 2024. The morning of my induction, I felt the perfect mix of excitement and nerves. As first-time parents, we had lovingly prepared our home with every “must-have” and “probably unnecessary” item imaginable. Labor progressed slowly, and after three days and four hours of pushing without progress, we made the decision to move to a cesarean section.
Our daughter arrived healthy and beautiful. While she was placed skin-to-skin with DJ, I was taken for postoperative care unaware I had developed DIC, a rare and life-threatening clotting complication. My medical team later described the bleeding as “a gushing faucet.”
In the hours that followed, I required a D&C, a uterine artery embolization, 40 units of blood products, a helicopter transfer, and ultimately an emergency hysterectomy to save my life. I woke up in the ICU two days later and finally held our daughter for the first time a moment I’ll never forget.
Despite the trauma, we are profoundly grateful: for my survival, for our incredible medical team, and most of all for our beautiful baby girl. Our love for her has only deepened our desire to grow our family.
OUR HOPES AND DREAMS FOR OUR FUTURE CHILD
Our greatest hope is that our child grows up feeling deeply loved, safe, and free to be exactly who they are. We want to nurture their curiosity, encourage them to explore the world, and help them discover what makes them light up inside. More than anything, we want them to always feel secure in knowing they are supported and loved unconditionally. We hope to fill their life with laughter, adventure, and meaningful connections; from playing outside and traveling to simply enjoying time with family and friends. We want to model kindness, gratitude, and empathy, and to teach them that life’s best moments often come from small acts of love and joy. We truly cannot put into words how excited we both are to meet our child, hold them, and snuggle them close. Every milestone and birthday will be a big celebration in our home!
FAMILY TRADITIONS AND VALUES
One of our favorite family traditions is sharing boiled yam and fried eggs every Saturday morning. We prepare the meal together and enjoy it as a family, often followed by hot cocoa and a relaxed conversation about our week.
Another meaningful cultural tradition we embrace is waiting one week before naming our child. This allows us time to observe their emerging personality and choose a name that truly feels fitting and intentional.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN A MATCH
We’re hoping to build a warm and close relationship with our match. We’d love to stay in regular contact, ideally daily or every other day, and be actively involved throughout the journey. We plan to attend as many appointments as possible and stay connected through frequent video calls
EXTRA INFORMAITON
Names: Bukola & DJ
Location: Chambersburg, PA
Number of Embryos: 4 PGS tested embryos
Agency/Management Team: The Biggest Ask
Fertility Clinic: Shady Grove
Surrogate Compensation: Medium/High
Requirements: ASRM guidelines and termination up to the IPs. Willing to get vaccines.
Could you be their surrogate?
If you're interested in learning more about Bokula and DJ send us an email at bri@thebiggestask.com - subject line "Bukola & DJ".