Bad day? This story about love should give you a little lift to get you through. Stunning images have captured the moment a 61-year-old grandmother gave birth to her own granddaughter to enable her son and husband to have their own family.
The stunning images by Ariel Panowicz Creative show Cecile Eledge cradling and planting a kiss on little Uma's head before handing her over to her son and his husband as they sob with happiness that their dream of having a family has come true.
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Matthew Eledge, 32, and husband Elliot Dougherty, 29, had laughed around nine months earlier when Matthew's mum, Cecile offered to be their surrogate after they revealed they were considering IVF.
But the mum of three assured them she "loved being pregnant", and would "do it again in a heartbeat".
And despite having gone through the menopause 10 years ago doctors confirmed she was in excellent shape to be a surrogate and stunned midwives by giving birth naturally rather than via C-section as anticipated.
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Baby Uma was born on the morning of Monday, March 25th weighing a healthy 5lbs 13oz.
Elliot's 26-year-old sister, Lea Yribe, had also offered the couple her eggs.
Cecile, from Nebraska in America, began hormone treatment ahead of her son's sperm being implanted into several of Lea's eggs and then into Cecile's uterus.
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Remarkably the 61-year-old grandma fell pregnant on the first attempt.
And after nine months of morning sickness and blood pressure spikes, Cecile gave birth naturally on Monday.
"I don't know how to describe her; she's remarkable. I have such a deep respect for her and am so gracious that even as a grown adult she continues to go above and beyond for me," son Matthew, a teacher, told the Daily Mail.
Photographer Ariel Panowicz captured the moment Matthew and Elliot saw their daughter for the first time. And it was pretty emotional.
Speaking exclusively to Pretty52, Ariel said: "It's incredible. The power of the internet is truly wild. It's amazing to see how much love and support the world has shown this unique family. People really, truly have demonstrated so much acceptance for something that is so seemingly different than what society perpetuates as a 'normal family.' I think it's a beautiful reminder to all of us just how powerful love can be.
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"Baby Uma will be surrounded and raised by an amazing family, starting with her two dads. Being a part of this incredible journey has been one of the most magical experiences. From witnessing the moment Matt and Elliot met to photographing their wedding, maternity photos, and then the birth of their baby girl, it's been so amazing watching their love and family grow.
"The strength and poise that Cecile demonstrated at 61 years old while giving birth was truly a sight to see. She was so calm, (literally didn't make a peep during birth), and had the energy of a true warrior. When Uma finally entered the world, the room was filled with such an immense amount of love, it truly felt like it vibrated off the walls. Almost everyone was in tears.
"The look that Cecile gave her son and son-in-law when they locked eyes with their baby girl for the first time was enough to drain every dang tear from your body. Each person involved in the creation of this little girl is filled with pure love, selflessness and acceptance for one another. This is what family is."
The fathers took it in turns to place baby Uma on their bare chests for some skin-to-skin contact as gran Cecile had a rest.
Matthew added: "She said throughout the whole process that she didn't see Uma as her baby, she saw it as her grandbaby.
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"In fact she was so exhausted after the pregnancy and birth she said she was actually glad to hand her over before the real hard work began.
"She said the whole process was 'so worth it' in the end."
Uma is now at home with her family and her dads are expecting her to be a "little diva" like them.
"As gay men, we're so lucky to be having children at a time when people are actually celebratory of our relationship and of us being parents, and also at a time when technology allows us to have this baby, with some of Elliot's genetic material and some of my genetic material."
Featured Image Credit: Ariel Panowicz Creative