Maria Menounos and Her Surrogate Detail Their ‘Instant Connection’: We’re Like ‘Family’

usmagazine.com:

Before welcoming their first baby, Maria Menounos and husband Keven Undergaro formed an unshakeable bond with their surrogate.The couple exclusively opened up about their path to parenthood in the new issue of Us Weekly, detailing the “pure joy” they felt upon daughter Athena Alexandra’s arrival in June. “It was the most special moment of my life,” Menounos, 45, gushed as Undergaro, 55, likened the birth to “Christmas morning times a million.”After 10 years of fertility challenges, Menounos announced in February that she and Undergaro — who tied the knot in 2017 — were expecting a baby.

Menounos told Us she “almost” gave up on both IVF and surrogacy before being connected with Family Match.“It was a magical experience,” Menounos said of finding a surrogate to carry her baby. “Throughout the pregnancy, I would send voice recordings for her to play for Athena.”Menounos developed a deep connection with the woman — and they’ve kept in touch after Athena’s birth. “We love her and her family so much,” she added. “They gave us the greatest gift ever.

We still talk all the time and consider them family.”The surrogate, already a mother of two, had equally glowing words for Menounos and Undergaro, telling Us that she “felt and instant connection” with the couple. “I was thrilled to be able to support them and make [their dream] a reality,” she said.After learning of Menounos’ struggles to conceive, the surrogate wanted to help her achieve “the joy of completing her family.” She told Us she felt “honored” to be part of the twosome’s journey.“Immediately after I gave birth, the baby was in Maria’s arms and Keven held Maria, both had a look of wonderment in their eyes,” the surrogate recalled. “It was an instant family.