July 12, 2015

We are a unique family,” states Utah-native Eliza Arciaga-Spears.

In April 2011, Eliza Spears began dating Kelly Arciaga. The Salt Lake City- based couple traveled to New York to be married that November. “We were married on a beautiful fall morning in Central Park on 11-11-11 at 11:11,” Eliza recalls with a smile.

Today, the Arciaga-Spears family includes 4 children: Senicka (14), Aidia (7), Joel (5) and Teegan (3). Eliza is the birth mother for the oldest three, children born from her earlier relationships with men. Kelly is the birth mother of Teegan, the couple’s youngest, conceived via artificial insemination at home. One of Eliza’s brothers is the biological father of Teegan.

While treasuring the genetic link and the loving bond shared with her wife, Eliza found that being the non-gestational mother “brought up a lot of foreign emotions.” As Kelly moved through the pregnancy, Eliza reflected upon ways to deepen her connection to their-soon-to-be born child – a child not coming from her womb. Breastfeeding, via the induction of lactation, provided the “perfect opportunity.”

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