Making of the Modern Family

This happened 25 years ago. I like to help neighbors out but this was a whole different type of assistance. There are some regrets that I have, and things I did in life ... this is not one. Other peoples pleasure and joy is my joy. Two of my neighbors next door were a young lesbian couple. We shared a driveway and our paths crossed frequently. They loved to ride bicycles and had a maintenance shop in their garage - their shop was sort of a social gathering spot. I would get invited in to chat while they worked. I am a professional that travels the world to assist in special projects, hold multiple college degrees and in my spare time like doing home handyman projects, repairing appliances, plumbing, electrical and find myself assisting neighbors in their projects. 

I was assisting my lesbian neighbors in trimming a apple tree in their yard and Hanna asked me if I had ever watched the Robin Williams movie, "The World According to Garp". I said no and she gave me the Netflix CD (this was a era before streaming) to watch. I watched it a few days later and returned the CD to them while they were working on their bikes. Both Sue and Hanna asked me to sit down on a old couch in their shop. Hanna asked me how I liked the film. I said it was a good movie and heart warming. It is a story about a out-of-wedlock son (Garp) and his feminist mother who wanted a child but not a husband. She was a nurse during World War II and encountered a dying ball-turret gunner known only as "Technical Sargent Garp" (Garp being all he is able to utter) who was severely brain damaged in combat, whose priapism (perpetual erection) allows her to become impregnated. The resultant child was named Garp. When asked about it by her friend, she said she, 'did not need a Husband, just some sperm'.

Both Hanna and Sue said that this movie was one that had opened them up to thoughts about starting a family. I was supportive of that idea and told them to go for it. Sue said they had been looking at all the ways for Hanna to become pregnant and all options were very impersonal. I told them I knew little about many things but this was not one I had any knowledge about. Sue said that sperm banks had descriptions associated with the donors but that was not enough for them. They wanted to know the donor. They had been researching in home insemination with the modern version of a 'turkey baster'. Apparently there are companies that supply the 'kit' (instructions and equipment) to try this option and boast some manner of success.   

Hanna asked me point blank, "Would you be willing to donate your sperm?" I asked them why I was even considered and they cited a long list of attributes that I had that they thought were important. I said I thought they would make wonderful mothers but a biological father still has responsibilities that can not denied.  Hanna is a attorney and she said that they had already thought of this and they would draw up a contract that treated me as a unknown donor and exempt from these duties. I said I would have to sleep on it and I would get back to them. 

The next day I said I would be willing to try but since I was 15 years older then them I was not sure of the viability. Long story short, on the day of Hanna's ovulation I was given a small cup and I went to my house and masturbated a sample and quickly walked next door and passed it to them. The first month try was unsuccessful - we were all rather disappointed.

The next ovulation 2 months later it was a repeat of this but I gave 3 samples over the period of 4 days. I was asked to masturbate in the week leading into the ovulation to have 'fresh sperm' for delivery. Once again unsuccessful and I thought for sure that they would give up but assured them I was available if they wished to continue.

One month passed and I was asked again to masturbate in the week before start of Hanna's ovulation and then supplied 3 samples to them. They were very excited about this time and said they were trying something that was recommended. It was the use of a mensural cup to retain the sperm for 24 hours. This seemed a bit gross marinating the cervix in my sperm but they seemed unfazed and willing to try anything. One month passed and I heard nothing so one day I peeked into the bike shop garage and they told me to sit down they had made a decision. Hanna told me she had taken a home pregnancy test and it showed her as pregnant but it was too early to be assured that things were going to "work out".

9 months later a healthy little baby girl showed up. It worked!!! They had to move a number of years ago but I still look forward to the Christmas season where I get a very special card with pictures - the best Christmas present ever!