A new year, a new beginning

This time last year, Mara Simon of Livingston, New Jersey and Patty Robles of Crowley were total strangers. But today they think of one another as family.

The two have bonded during a surrogacy journey that culminated in the birth of beautiful twin boys and a long-awaited happy ending for Mara and husband Steven.

Jonah Simon was born on New Year’s morning at 8:50 a.m. weighing 6 lbs., 10 oz. His fraternal twin Spencer was right behind him at 8:51 a.m. weighing 7 lbs., 8 oz.  They were delivered through C-section in the presence of four very proud adults. 

“It’s a new life, and a new year,” Mara said of the boys’ birth.

Back up to January of last year: Mara connected with Patty, a Crowley resident, through a surrogate agency. After what Mara describes as a “torturous” five years of infertility issues, she and Steven learned surrogacy was their best chance for having children.

Mara, Patty and Steven at the Texas State Fair

“We wanted to have a baby like everyone else,” Mara said. “Carrying the baby myself wasn’t important.”

The Robles and the Simons met and clicked right away. Patty said she knew during their first meeting that the Simons were the family she was meant to help, saying Mara is “so easy to talk to.” They began the process, flying across the country to meet each other’s doctors, including Dr. Frederick Carrington at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth. The Robles got a taste of New York City hot dogs and pizza, and the Simons got to experience the Texas State Fair for the first time.

Patty and Mara sent text messages daily and chatted like old friends, and Patty’s three young daughters became attached quickly.

“My daughters are in love with Steven and Mara!” Patty said.

When asked what inspired her to look into becoming a surrogate, Patty said it was knowing so many women who have struggled with infertility. After doing some research she just knew it was for her.

“I know how I felt when I had my girls, and I wanted somebody else to feel that way too,” she said. “It makes me feel the most full I could feel.”

Steven, Mara, Jonah and Spencer

Mara and Patty plan to stay in each other's lives. Even Mara’s father, who flew into town for the birth, could sense how close the two had become. “They really have found family in each other,” he said. “I don’t know if every surrogate situation is like this, if people find this chemistry, but this has been amazing.”

Watch a KTVT news story about Mara and Patty below: