A father-of-three has revealed how he spent more than $360,000 to become a single father of three after enduring years of rejection.
Nathan Chan, from Alberta, Canada, used egg donation and substitutes fulfill your dream of having a family and do it all on your own.
The 39-year-old now has two daughters and a son after spending more than a decade battling adoption rejections, failed embryo transfers and miscarriages.
He hopes that by sharing his story, more men will dare to become single fathers.
Nathan Chan, from Alberta, Canada, used egg donation and surrogate mothers to fulfill his dream of having a family, doing it all on his own.
The 39-year-old now has two daughters and a son after spending more than a decade battling adoption rejections, failed embryo transfers and miscarriages.
‘Having children is the best decision I have ever made. “I am a very proud single father by choice,” Nathan shared.
‘For years I focused on traveling and working, waiting for the “right person” to come into my life so we could be parents together, but I knew I wanted to be a father more than anything.
‘After six surrogates, three egg donors and 10 embryo transfers, my first daughter, Nanette, was born via my sixth gestational surrogate.
“My other two children were born the same year to different surrogate mothers.”
He added: ‘People come up to me and tell me I’m crazy, but I always take the opportunity to educate people.
“People come up to me and say, ‘Oh, is it Dad’s babysitting weekend?’ or ‘wow, you have your hands full today,’ and that, honestly, is very offensive to any parent whether or not they are in a relationship.
‘We are not babysitters. Sometimes people will say that I am very “brave” for doing this alone, but I am perfectly capable, as a single parent, of being able to love and raise children.
“I have no regrets. For me, being a father is priceless.”
Nathan now hopes that by sharing his story more men will dare to become single fathers.
Nathan first decided he wanted to be a father in 2010, but was met with fierce negativity from those around him.
Nathan first decided he wanted to be a father in 2010, but was met with fierce negativity from those around him and faced rejection from both adoption and foster agencies.
Becoming a father also took a huge financial toll, costing more than $361,000 in fertility treatments and expenses.
Nanette is the oldest and is six years old, her daughter Neptune Nina will be three in August and her son Newton will be three in May.
The children were conceived through three different surrogate mothers.
With just three months between the birth of his son and youngest daughter, Nathan explains that he was very lucky to have the help of two tandem surrogates and that his children are often mistaken for twins.
He shared: “I certainly had my hands full with two newborns and a toddler, and sometimes I wonder how we even managed to get out of the house.
‘Being a single father by choice to three little ones is not for the faint of heart, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. We are complete as a family.
‘So far I have had quite a few adventures around the world with the children. I went to Alaska, Disneyworld, Columbia and Mexico with the three of them.
“We’ve also been to Paris, Seattle, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.”
Nanette is the oldest at six, her daughter Neptune Nina will be three in August and her son Newton will be three in May.
Becoming a father also took a huge financial toll, costing more than $361,000 in fertility treatments and expenses.
She continued: ‘I’ve had to organize more than ever, but I couldn’t imagine not doing these things with my little family that I worked so hard to create.
“I love experiencing all my favorite places with them.”
Nathan is also the founder and CEO of Proud Fertility, a surrogacy and egg donation consultancy in Canada.
She shared: ‘It is very rewarding to work with other families and help them grow.
“I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire other single men who want to be fathers to explore all their options.”
When asked about his love life, Nathan says that there is no one special in his life except his children, but he is open to the possibility of meeting someone.
He said: “I’m still very single, but I would welcome someone into our lives, if they fit into our unique puzzle.”
‘My children are always my priority but never say never.
“I have a full house and a full heart and I am completely outnumbered, but I am beyond blessed.”
When asked about his love life, Nathan says that there is no one special in his life except his children, but he is open to the possibility of meeting someone.
Set to celebrate his seventh Father’s Day this weekend, Nathan added: “It has taken me over a decade to complete my family, but when I look at my children I know it was all worth it.”
‘Being a father is a dream come true for me and every Father’s Day I contact all my surrogate mothers to thank them.
‘My children are here because of their generosity and love and I am very grateful to the women who have helped me.
“Being a father of three children is everything to me.”