As we come to the close of summer and move toward our busiest time of the year, I wanted to take a moment to share some personal news with you. Many of you who follow our journey know how much we value transparency and connection, so it feels only right to share this update with our Forged Flare^® family.

Facing a Difficult Decision

A little over two weeks ago, I underwent a significant surgery — a decision that was incredibly difficult but necessary. For those who may not be aware, I’ve faced a long journey with infertility and chronic health issues, including a unicornuate uterus, which affects only 1 in 4000 women. This journey has deeply impacted my life in many ways, as I’ve shared previously in my reflections on Mother’s Day. After years of painful and unbearable periods, and a failed ablation procedure earlier this year, I was left with no other choice but to have a hysterectomy.

Support for Those Facing Similar Challenges

Side note — if you are facing a hysterectomy or know someone who is, I highly recommend visiting HysterSisters.com. This website has been an invaluable resource and support system for me during this time. It offers a wealth of information and community support that can be incredibly helpful — especially leading up to the procedure and providing a checkpoint for your recovery journey.

The Road to Recovery

This decision wasn’t easy. It’s one that I had tried to avoid, but ultimately, my health and quality of life had to come first. The surgery was a daunting prospect, and in the days leading up to it, I was overwhelmed with anxiety, immense sadness and fear. Now, as I recover, I find myself in a place of mixed emotions — relief that the surgery is behind me, but also the struggle of dealing with the physical and emotional aftermath.

Recovery is slow, and while I have some good days, there are still many challenges. I’m learning to be patient with myself, but it’s hard not to feel frustrated by my limitations. Simple tasks like walking to the kitchen can leave me exhausted, and lifting anything is out of the question for at least six weeks. However, I’m grateful for the small victories, like being able to write a few notes to include with your orders. If your order doesn’t include a little message, please know that we are incredibly thankful for your business and continued support, regardless.

As I navigate through each day, I’m also coming to terms with a deep sense of loss and the reality of not experiencing what it’s like to have my own child. While I was lucky to only spend one night in the hospital, it was an emotional experience.

I was placed in the maternity wing, which initially took me by surprise. Though I tried to laugh it off, I couldn’t ignore the sadness that crept in each time someone congratulated me on a new baby (while looking around the room for our new bundle of joy) or when we received goody bags meant for new parents. It was an uncomfortable experience to smile while awkwardly correcting them, then sympathizing with their embarrassed reaction and reassuring them that it was okay. Hearing babies cry at various times of the day and night was a stinging reminder of what I will never experience. Nevertheless, I’m grateful for the exceptional care I received from the nurses, and despite the bittersweet circumstances, it was the nicest hospital stay I’ve ever had.

Continuing Operations

Chris has been incredible, solely taking on our day-to-day responsibilities while also caring for me. It’s not an easy task, but he’s handling it with the grace and strength that I’ve always admired in him. We are still operating as normal, and your orders will go out quickly, but I still ask for your understanding and patience during this time.

Restocking & Surprises Ahead

Restocking may take longer than usual, so if an item sells out, we recommend signing up for our Back In Stock alerts. This is the best way to ensure you don’t miss out when your favorite items become available again.

To sign up, simply visit the product page of the sold-out item, scroll down to the yellow button labeled “Email Me When Available,” and click on it. A pop-up will appear where you can enter your email address. After entering your information, just tap on the “Email Me When Available” button, and you’re all set! As soon as the item is back in stock, you’ll receive an email notification so you can be among the first to know.

We also want to let you know that, despite moving at a slower pace this season, we still have a couple more small surprises in store. At Forged Flare^®, our mission is to bring joy into your lives, and we love trying to upholding that tradition, even as we navigate the challenges of the coming months.

Thanks for Your Support

Thank you for your continued support, love, and understanding. Your thoughts, prayers, messages, emails and well-wishes mean the world to us. This journey isn’t easy, but knowing we have such an amazing community behind us makes it a little easier to bear.