← Back to Blog
Kelsey & Michael
<div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="19892" class="elementor elementor-19892" data-elementor-post-type="post">
<section data-particle_enable="false" data-particle-mobile-disabled="false" class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-65c89d1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="65c89d1" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e76c87b" data-id="e76c87b" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-81577a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="81577a7" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large">OUR STORY</h2> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<section data-particle_enable="false" data-particle-mobile-disabled="false" class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b514e95 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="b514e95" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bcabe68" data-id="bcabe68" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-9f6580c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="9f6580c" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="elementor-spacer">
<div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-f09c1b1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="f09c1b1" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="bb-theme-elementor-wrap bb-elementor-custom-family bb-elementor-custom-size bb-elementor-custom-line-height"> <p>Michael and Kelsey met in <strong>Boston</strong>. Kelsey was in law school at the time and Michael was working as an actor (he has been in several national geographic and Netflix movies and also does voice acting for video games and ads). They hit it off <strong>instantly</strong> and a few months later, moved in together. Then during the pandemic, Michael went to live with Kelsey and her whole family in NC and they ended up staying with them for <strong>two years</strong>. We are very close with our families and none of our siblings have children, so we would be the first in our families to have kids (which is <strong>very exciting</strong> for our parents).</p> </div> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1d99a7b elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="1d99a7b" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="image.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<img width="640" height="853" src="https://thebiggestask.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_3524-768x1024.jpeg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-20067" alt="" /> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-3b6663e elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="3b6663e" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="elementor-spacer">
<div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<section data-particle_enable="false" data-particle-mobile-disabled="false" class="elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-3839aea elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="3839aea" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-b8a6b6e" data-id="b8a6b6e" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-8922e54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="8922e54" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large">Our Interests</h2> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1d1840a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="1d1840a" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="bb-theme-elementor-wrap bb-elementor-custom-color bb-elementor-custom-family bb-elementor-custom-size"> <p>Kelsey <strong>loves</strong> to draw, play piano, sing, paint, craft, and write fiction.</p><p>Michael is a <strong>huge</strong> Red Sox fan and spends a lot of time <strong>outdoors</strong>.</p><p>They both <strong>love to explore</strong> new places and go for walks with their dogs Arlo and Holly.</p> </div> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-79cfe2d elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="79cfe2d" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="image.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<img width="640" height="853" src="https://thebiggestask.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_8379-Kelsey-Tavares-768x1024.jpeg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-19897" alt="" /> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6f4faf9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="6f4faf9" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="elementor-spacer">
<div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<section data-particle_enable="false" data-particle-mobile-disabled="false" class="elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-492f7ec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="492f7ec" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1352125" data-id="1352125" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ab622f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="ab622f5" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large">What led us to Surrogacy</h2> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-3167973 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="3167973" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="bb-theme-elementor-wrap bb-elementor-custom-family bb-elementor-custom-size bb-elementor-custom-line-height"> <p>As a result of some <strong>complications</strong> from a surgery a few years ago, Kelsey has medical issues that make carrying a child <strong>unsafe for her</strong>. This has led us to explore other options for growing our family. Having a child has <strong>always</strong> been important to both of us. We both come from large families and our hope is to also have a large family with multiple children someday. Kelsey is the oldest of 3 and Michael is a middle child (with his twin sister). None of our siblings have children, so we would be the <strong>first in our families</strong> to have kids. Our parents have had medical issues over the last few years, which makes us all the more eager to start our family now, so our parents can <strong>meet our children</strong>.</p> </div> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-8435982 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="8435982" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="elementor-spacer">
<div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<section data-particle_enable="false" data-particle-mobile-disabled="false" class="elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-d2ca9c0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="d2ca9c0" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4d5310a" data-id="4d5310a" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-c12d8a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="c12d8a5" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="image.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<img width="1826" height="2560" src="https://thebiggestask.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_6666-Kelsey-Tavares-scaled.jpeg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-19896" alt="" /> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-13d0d91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="13d0d91" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large">Our Hopes & Dreams for Our Future Child</h2> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-c2e5b93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="c2e5b93" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="bb-theme-elementor-wrap bb-elementor-custom-family bb-elementor-custom-size bb-elementor-custom-line-height"> <p>Our dream is to have a child that is <strong>happy</strong> and feels <strong>supported</strong> and <strong>loved</strong>. We are so excited to <strong>share our interests</strong> (from piano to art and science fiction) and help them <strong>discover</strong> theirs. We hope that they will be <strong>well-rounded</strong> and look forward to getting to be a part of watching them grow and develop!</p> </div> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-9e15589 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="9e15589" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="elementor-spacer">
<div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4e520c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="4e520c9" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="elementor-spacer">
<div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-97ec0a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="97ec0a8" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="elementor-spacer">
<div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-875672d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="875672d" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large">FAMILY TRADITIONS AND VALUES</h2> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-fd2ef73 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="fd2ef73" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="bb-theme-elementor-wrap bb-elementor-custom-color bb-elementor-custom-family bb-elementor-custom-size"> <p>Kelsey’s family is Portuguese (she’s first generation) and Michael’s family is Italian, so <strong>family </strong>and <strong>food</strong> are central to both of us. We are <strong>very close</strong> with our parents and siblings and speak to them <strong>daily</strong>. Family holidays are a big deal and we all get together for Thanksgiving and Christmas, typically for 3 weeks until after new years with our cousins and extended families. We <strong>love</strong> family time and crafting together, painting, making music, and spending quality time together. We also love exploring new places, going to new cities for day trips.</p> </div> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-c2ea005 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="c2ea005" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="image.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<img loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1923" src="https://thebiggestask.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_0473-Kelsey-Tavares-scaled.jpeg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-19898" alt="" /> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-92d5ac7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="92d5ac7" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large">What we are looking for in a Match</h2> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-394adce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="394adce" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="bb-theme-elementor-wrap bb-elementor-custom-color bb-elementor-custom-family bb-elementor-custom-size"> <p>Hoping to be <strong>close</strong> and <strong>share updates</strong> throughout the process! Open <strong>communication </strong>is important to us and we would <strong>love</strong> to have regular check-ins <strong>before</strong>, <strong>during</strong>, and <strong>after</strong> the pregnancy!</p> </div> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-f9c4c99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="f9c4c99" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large">Extra Information</h2> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ca44e88 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="ca44e88" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="bb-theme-elementor-wrap bb-elementor-custom-color bb-elementor-custom-family bb-elementor-custom-size"> <ul><li><h4><strong>Names: Kelsey & Michael </strong></h4></li><li><h4><strong>Location:</strong> Malden, MA</h4></li><li><h4><strong>Number of embryos: 1 PGS tested embryo, 10 yet to be tested embryos </strong></h4></li><li><h4><strong>Agency/Management Team: The Biggest Ask </strong></h4></li><li><h4><strong>Fertility Clinic: Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center<br /></strong></h4></li><li><h4><strong>Surrogate Compensation: Medium/High</strong></h4></li><li><strong>Requirements: Must fulfill ASRM guidelines, must be willing to get the TDAP vaccine during pregnancy.</strong></li></ul> </div> </div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7597925 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="7597925" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="elementor-spacer">
<div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-498b39e elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider" data-id="498b39e" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="divider.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<div class="elementor-divider">
<span class="elementor-divider-separator">
</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<section data-particle_enable="false" data-particle-mobile-disabled="false" class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a7fec38 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="a7fec38" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7abe45b" data-id="7abe45b" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-612ac52 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="612ac52" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">The Biggest Ask SaysThe American Society for Reproductive Medicine provides the following recommendations for evaluation of gestational carriers (i.e., many fertility clinics will require the following for their gestational carriers):
- Carried at least 1 child without complications
- Fewer than 3 deliveries via c-section
- Be within the ages of 21 and 45
- Body mass index in between 19 and 32
- No smoking, abusing drugs, alcohol or prescription medications
- Not receiving welfare, public housing or cash assistance from the government
- Has a stable home life with emotional and child care support
- No mental health conditions requiring the use of medications within the last 6 months (including depression)
- No criminal record
Watch the following video to review the Medical and Psychological Clearance procedures that surrogates must complete.
No one likes to talk about surrogate compensation, but it is an important factor in any surrogacy agreement. The following is how we classify high, medium and low compensation (excluding the value of any benefits). Many factors affect surrogate compensation including surrogate experience (e.g., has the woman been a surrogate before?), whether the surrogate is signed up with an agency and surrogate preferences.
- Low = surrogate compensation less than $30,000
- Medium = surrogate compensation between $30,000 and $45,000
- High = surrogate compensation greater than $45,000
You can learn more about how much surrogates get paid in our surrogacy guide’s module: “How much does surrogacy cost?”.
Could you be their surrogate?
If you're interested in learning more about John & Laura, send us an email at hello@thebiggestask.com - subject line "John & Laura".
Send us a message