Ryan and Joey have been together since 2004. While they always dreamed of becoming dads, they weren’t sure if that dream would ever come true. When they were growing up, they didn’t see many families like theirs, and the idea of parenthood often felt out of reach.
But as the world began to change, so did their hope. Eventually, they decided to take the leap. An incredible egg donor, a dedicated surrogacy team, and one little heartbeat later, their long-held dream began to take shape. Ryan and Joey were finally on the path to parenthood.
Just as they were soaking in the joy of learning that their son Caleb was on the way, they received heartbreaking news: Joey was diagnosed with incurable Stage IV lung cancer. In that moment, their journey to parenthood became more than a dream—it became a mission. A mission to love fiercely, live intentionally, and give their baby the most meaningful start to life.
When Caleb was born, he was the perfect addition to their growing family. Ryan, Joey, and their loyal chocolate lab, Junior, welcomed him with love—stronger and more united than ever.
“We were overwhelmed with gratitude and awe that we were finally, finally a family,” they shared.
The newborn days were full of magical firsts: seeing Caleb recognize their voices, holding him skin-to-skin, and watching him sleep peacefully on their chests. But those beautiful moments were accompanied by real challenges. Joey had just begun cancer treatment, Caleb’s schedule was unpredictable, and feeding issues added stress to the already sleep-deprived new dads.
“There was no guidebook—just instinct, love, and caffeine,” they said. “Through it all, Caleb brought light and purpose into every corner of our lives.”
Feeding quickly turned into a major source of worry. Caleb was having trouble tolerating formula, and Ryan and Joey feared that continuing to switch brands would only make things worse. Thankfully, their pediatrician mentioned that donor human milk might be an option and that’s when they got connected to Mothers’ Milk Bank.
“We reached out almost immediately, and we’re so glad we did — it changed everything for us.”
Ensuring Caleb had a gentle, healthy start was deeply important to Ryan and Joey. Donor milk gave them a safe, nourishing option that his body could tolerate. But more than that, they felt supported by a community of families, some who had walked similar paths, offering love and care through their generosity.
“It’s strangers helping strangers out of love. That really stayed with us.”
Stories like Ryan and Joey’s wouldn’t be possible without the incredibly generous community of milk donors. These are parents who selflessly share their extra milk so that babies like Caleb can have the best possible start, often providing unseen, yet life-changing support during a family’s most vulnerable moments.
For new parents, this kind of help can make all the difference. Ryan and Joey say it best:
“You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to be perfect. Just be present, be kind to yourself, and accept help when it’s offered. It takes a village — whether that’s your family, your dog, your milk bank, or the barista who gets your name right after three hours of sleep. And remember: your love is more than enough.”
