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Hakeem & Marissa
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<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large">OUR STORY</h2> </div>
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<div class="bb-theme-elementor-wrap bb-elementor-custom-family bb-elementor-custom-line-height"> <p>We met in 2022 at a holiday party in Philadelphia. Hakeem was living there at the time while Marissa was visiting from DC for the weekend. We <strong>sparked </strong>up a conversation and chatted the whole night. The next week Hakeem drove down to DC to take Marissa out on their first date and <strong>the rest was history</strong>. Even though we lived in different cities, we quickly began <strong>inseparable</strong> visiting each other frequently, exploring new places together and planning for the future. We got engaged December of 2024 and married on September 20, 2025.</p> </div> </div>
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<p> <strong>OUR INTERESTS:</strong></p><p>We both <strong>love</strong> being active and exploring new places and cultures. You can find us at the latest <strong>group fitness class</strong>, a new <strong>restaurant</strong> or planning our next <strong>family vacation</strong>. Although currently a software engineer, Hakeem is a teacher and mentor at heart using his time to educate students at his alma mater, Morehouse College in computer science, interviewing, career skills and all things tech. Hakeem also played <strong>basketball in college</strong> and continues to use the sport to stay young hearted and to connect with the youth through coaching<strong>.</strong> Marissa has pursued a career in Marketing, is a true creative, and loves spending her time immersed in the arts—from crafting intricate floral arrangements to attending live music and art events.</p> </div>
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<h2>WHAT LED US TO SURROGACY</h2><p>Due to Marissa history of <strong>endometriosis and fibroids</strong> we began fertility preservation after about 2 years of dating by creating embryos. We did our very first transfer the summer after we got engaged and it worked – we were <strong>finally </strong>pregnant! We married in September of 2025 when Marissa was 14 weeks along. We shared the happy news at our wedding and it was truly one of the best moments of our lives. Unfortunately, due to scarring from a previous fibroid surgery and placenta accreta, Marissa suffered a <strong>uterine rupture at 20 weeks</strong>. At the hospital doctors found Marissa losing copious amounts of blood. To save Marissa’s life an <strong>emergency hysterectomy</strong> was preformed and our pregnancy came to an abrupt end.</p> </div>
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<h2>OUR HOPES AND DREAMS FOR OUR FUTURE CHILD:</h2><p>Ultimately, we want to raise a self-sufficient person who contributes<strong> positively</strong> to their community and to society as a whole. We aim for our child to be<strong> bold</strong>, <strong>ambitious</strong>, and <strong>proficient</strong> in their pursuits. Yet we also want to ensure the child is well rounded, well traveled, intellectually curious, and culturally competent. Someone who could fit in at the<strong> protest</strong>, <strong>bar</strong> or <strong>boardroom</strong>.</p> </div>
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<h2>WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN A MATCH</h2><p>Our best intention is to be <strong>supportive</strong> to our surrogate without becoming overbearing. We are happy to match our surrogates comfort level, and if desired, we’re open to fostering a loving connection by <strong>welcoming her into our family</strong>. This could grow into weekly calls, meet ups when possible and sharing the development of the child well past gestation.</p><h2>HOPES AND DREAMS FOR OUR FUTURE FAMILY</h2><p>We want our family to be<strong> fun</strong>, <strong>engaging</strong>, and <strong>supportive</strong>. We host holidays, birthdays, and<strong> impromptu get togethers</strong>, try new foods and vibe curate to the best of our abilities. We want to challenge our kids to become the best versions of themselves, but simultaneously protect and encourage them while driving there. We want the environment to be <strong>welcoming</strong>, <strong>friendly</strong> and relevant to family, local and worldly events and supportive within means.</p><h2>EXTRA INFORMAITON</h2><p><strong>Names: </strong>Hakeem & Marissa</p><p><strong>Location: </strong>Washington DC</p><p><strong>Number of Embryos: </strong>2 PGT/S embryos</p><p><strong>Agency/Management Team: </strong>The Biggest Ask</p><p><strong>Fertility Clinic: </strong>CCRM</p><p><strong>Surrogate Compensation: </strong>Medium/High</p><p><strong>Requirements: </strong>Termination decision up to intended parents</p> </div>
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<h2 class="title eael-cta-heading">Could you be their surrogate?</h2><p>If you're interested in learning more about Hakeem & Marissa send us an email at bri@thebiggestask.com - subject line "Hakeem & Marissa". </p><a href="mailto:hello@thebiggestask.com" class="cta-button cta-preset-1 ">Send us a message</a> </div>
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