High school teacher really wanted a kid—her former student stepped in to change her life

The woman and her husband had tried several treatments over the years in hopes of having a baby.

PUBLISHED 2 HOURS AGO

(L) A man consoling his upset wife. (R) A woman talking to another woman at a cafe. Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Witthaya Prasongsin; Tom Werner

Sometimes, the help you need finds its way to you in the most unexpected form, just when you've nearly given up hope. A former high school teacher, Ashley Totty and her husband, Spencer, had suffered from unexplained infertility struggles for the longest time. Multiple attempts at in vitro fertilization had failed them as well. But then she got a Facebook message that changed their lives, per CBS News.

A couple talking to a receptionist at a hospital. Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Diem.ph

The Tennessee woman had been married since October 2014 and the couple really wanted to start a family. "I've always wanted to be a mom. And we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. And we still don't know why," Ashley explained. The couple suffered from miscarriage five times and IVF didn't work for them either. But then, out of nowhere, Ashley received a message on Facebook from a former student who had lost touch with her a long time ago. The text almost felt like a godsend for the couple. The student, 27-year-old Hannah Dearman, explained that she knew what the couple had been going through for so many years. "It's weighed heavily on my heart for several years now," Dearman began in the note.

Woman looking at her phone with a big smile on her face. Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Miljan Zivkovic

"I don't know where you are with your journey to motherhood, or what your circumstances are. However, if you ever need a surrogate, I'd love to help you become a mom. I hope this isn't weird, but I love you and feel like you're a wonderful person and would be the best mom. I have prayed for you often," Dearman wrote. Ashley was kind of excited to see the message. "I was like, you know what, at this point, nothing is crazy to me." Dearman could remember Ashley as a kind and caring person. "She was just so loving and kind. And she's caring. She has a great personality." The duo had not met each other since Dearman's high school graduation, but she expressed that she was willing to carry the baby for free. "I needed to fulfill this."

via GIPHY

Finally, Sophie Leigh Totty was born on June 29, 2024. The new parents were happy as ever to welcome their little bundle of joy. "It reassures me that there's a tremendous amount of positivity in the world," Spencer pointed out. About her former student's generous act, Ashley said, "She is so selfless. She's an angel on earth." A report from Reproductive Biomedicine Online explained that the results of surrogacy were largely satisfactory for both surrogates and the intended parents and led to positive relationships even after birth. The report had looked at 47 studies across 12 countries for a conclusion. People shared their thoughts on Dearman's generosity in the comments section of the video.

@PracticalPerry4 wrote, "That baby is absolutely adorable! So happy for this woman that she now has the 'apple of her eye.' God bless them all." @lisasamuel9709 commented, "This is so amazingly selfless and loving. When her teacher taught her, she did it with love and passion, never expecting anything...she taught her students so much more than content...but values of love, gratitude and respect. So happy for them both." @TheHouseofcoolstuff remarked, "Teachers are incredibly important in our society. I truly believe good teachers make the world a better place! I have a special place in my heart for teachers because my father was a teacher!"