Help Us Fill Our Missing Piece

💛 Help Us Fill Our Missing Piece Hello friends, family, and friends of family: Please join me in supporting my sister-in-law Maraia and her husband Brian as they continue their courageous fertility journey.  Every contribution—no matter the form—will be honored with your name on a puzzle piece. The progress bar reflects all types of donations, including offline gifts, which we update manually. If you prefer to give through another method, you'll find those options in one of the images above. Rest assured, all donations will be tracked both here and behind the scenes to ensure every supporter is recognized on our memorial puzzle. Before I share their story and struggles, I want to tell you a little about who Maraia and Brian are, because knowing their hearts makes this fundraiser all the more meaningful. Maraia is one of the most caring souls you’ll ever meet. She’s strong, fiercely protective of those she loves, and always the person Dakoda and I call when we’re in a bind. Though she hasn’t yet had the chance to raise a child of her own, she’s already a mother in every sense of the word. Whether it’s a human, chicken, cat, cow, dog, or donkey (and more!), Maraia’s giant heart extends love and care to every living thing around her. Those who know Maraia and Brian know they’re truly two peas in a pod. Brian, a Kansas State Trooper, is a steadfast protector and provider. But beneath the uniform, he’s gentle, patient, and would move heaven and earth to make Maraia smile. When they first met, Brian worried how Maraia would feel about stepping into a life that included his two children from a previous marriage. She didn’t hesitate — she dove in headfirst and has shown up for them every single day. Years down the road, those kids will tell anyone who asks just how much Maraia has meant to them — how she’s shown up time and again, supporting them through life’s ups and downs with love and grace. Maraia and Brian would love nothing more than to welcome a baby into their home, a home already overflowing with love, laughter, and warmth. There’s no doubt in my mind that any child born into their care would be incredibly lucky. After years of battling painful endometriosis, enduring rounds of testing, multiple rounds of IUI, and countless heartbreaks, IVF has become their final hope. But the cost is staggering and continues to rise. Due to the severity of Maraia’s condition, additional surgeries and treatments are required, making the financial burden feel nearly impossible. To make matters worse, their insurance has deemed IVF “medically unnecessary,” meaning Maraia and Brian must pay the full cost out of pocket — tens of thousands of dollars just to have a chance at growing their family. That’s where we come in. Let’s help restore hope and ease the weight of this journey for this incredible couple. Let’s help them fill their missing piece. We’ve chosen a 1,000-piece puzzle to symbolize this journey. For every $10 donated, you “buy” one piece and your name will be written on the back. Once all 1,000 pieces are spoken for, we’ll assemble the puzzle and gift it to Maraia and Brian as a keepsake. God willing, they’ll one day share it with their child — a beautiful reminder of the love and support that carried them through. We also ask for your continued prayers. IVF can be successful, but it’s never guaranteed. Your emotional and spiritual support means just as much as your financial help. All proceeds go directly to treatment costs. Thank you for being part of their story.