Building a Family on Her Own Terms: My IVF Journey as a Single Mother by Choice

Pull up a chair, friend. Grab your coffee (or maybe a sweet tea if you’re feeling those Alabama roots today). We’ve spent the last few weeks talking about my time in the Army, my years in the high-stakes world of Big Tech, and the lessons I learned growing up in Opelika. But today, I want to share something a little closer to my heart.

We’re talking about family. Not just the one I came from, but the one I chose to build: completely on my own terms.

If you’ve followed my story so far, you know my motto is "Always Forward." It’s what got me through the Signal Corps and managed to keep me sane while managing global infrastructure at Google. But "forward" doesn’t always look like a straight line on a map. Sometimes, it looks like a leap of faith into a journey called IVF.

The Choice to Not Wait

For a long time, I thought motherhood would happen the "traditional" way. You meet someone, you fall in love, you buy the house with the big yard, and then you have the kids. But life had other plans. As I moved through my 30s and into my 40s, I realized that while I hadn't found that lifelong partner yet, the desire to be a mother wasn't going anywhere.

I knew I could provide a great home. I knew I had the grit and the love to give. I just didn't have the person standing next to me.

I remember sitting in my house one evening, thinking about my grandmother. I never got the chance to meet her, but I grew up on stories of her strength and the legacy she left behind. I realized that if I waited for the "perfect" circumstances, I might miss my chance to leave a legacy of my own. I didn't want to look back with "what ifs."

So, I decided to become a Single Mother by Choice (SMC). And that’s when the real work started.

The IVF Rollercoaster

If you’ve ever gone through IVF, or known someone who has, you know it isn't for the faint of heart. It is a marathon of appointments, injections, hormone swings, and a whole lot of waiting. Doing it as a single woman adds another layer of complexity. There’s no one to lean on during those late-night hormone crashes, and no one to high-five when you get a good report from the doctor.

But here’s the thing about being an Army vet: we know how to embrace the "suck." I treated my IVF journey like a mission. I organized my meds, I tracked my stats, and I kept my eyes on the prize.

The journey wasn't always easy. There were moments of deep doubt. But then came my son. He’s 3.5 now, a whirlwind of energy and curiosity who reminds me every day why I fought so hard for him.

A Pivot, a Pregnancy, and a Purpose

Fast forward a couple of years. I was working at Netflix: a role I didn't even apply for, but was recruited into. It was a prestigious spot, the kind of job people dream of. But I was also pregnant with my daughter, and things at work were changing.

I found myself being "managed out" by someone who didn't quite understand the depth of my role or the value I brought. It’s the kind of thing that could break your spirit, especially when you’re preparing to bring a second life into the world as a solo parent.

But remember that motto? Always Forward.

Instead of letting that moment define me, I used it as the ultimate push. I left Netflix in 2025 while pregnant, and I didn't look back for a second. That transition was the bridge to what you see today: Heritage Surplus Solutions.

I realized that if I could navigate the complexities of international cyber logistics and the emotional gauntlet of IVF, I could certainly navigate the world of foreclosure surplus recovery. I wanted to build something that was mine: something that allowed me to be the mother my children deserved while fighting for other families who were being squeezed by the system.

Building My Own Village

People often ask me, "Kristie, how do you do it? Two kids, a toddler and a one-year-old, and a whole business?"

The honest answer? I built my own village.

In my About page, I talk about how I’ve always been driven to serve. Whether it was as a candy striper in East Alabama or a Staff Sergeant in Seoul, I’ve always known that we are stronger together.

As a single mom, I don't pretend to do it all perfectly. Some days there are more toys on the floor than I care to admit, and some nights the "gourmet dinner" is just cornbread and whatever else I can whip up quickly. But my home is full of love, and my kids are growing up seeing a mother who didn't wait for permission to build the life she wanted.

This "village energy" is exactly what I bring to Heritage Surplus. When I talk to a client who has lost their home and is feeling overwhelmed by the legal jargon and the government red tape, I see a family that needs a village. I see a person who needs someone to stand in their corner and say, "I’ve got you. We’re going to move forward together."

Why I Fight for You

My journey to motherhood taught me that family is the most precious asset we have. It’s not just about bloodlines; it’s about the people who show up for you.

When a home goes into foreclosure, it’s not just a real estate transaction. It’s a loss of stability, a loss of memories, and often, a loss of the equity that was supposed to fund a child’s education or a retirement. Seeing families lose that money: money they are legally entitled to: breaks my heart.

That’s why I specialize in foreclosure surplus recovery. I already owned rental properties and focused on providing affordable housing, so I saw firsthand the struggles people face. I wanted to use my tech-honed research skills and my "no excuses" Army attitude to help people reclaim what is rightfully theirs.

For My Grandmother, For My Kids, For You

I mentioned I never met my grandmother. But when I look at my son and daughter, I feel a connection to her that I can't quite explain. I am building a legacy that I hope she would be proud of: one of integrity, expertise, and deep, genuine care.

If you’re going through a hard time: maybe you’re facing the aftermath of a foreclosure or you’re navigating a difficult life transition of your own: I want you to know that there is a way forward. It might not be the way you planned. It might require more grit than you thought you had. But you don't have to do it alone.

If you think you might have unclaimed funds from a past foreclosure, or you just need some guidance on where to start, check out our FAQ page or grab our Ultimate Guide to Foreclosure Surplus Funds.

And if you ever want to chat about IVF, solo parenting, or how to keep moving "always forward," you know where to find me. Reach out anytime. We’re all just trying to build the best village we can.

Always Forward,