Sadie and Jarvis Sampson: A Journey to Parenthood Beyond Expectations
Sadie and Jarvis Sampson spent years trying to conceive, exhausting every option before they came to terms with the idea that their path to parenthood might look different. Then, an unexpected text message changed everything overnight.
The couple, married in January 2018, initially tried to conceive naturally. When that didn’t work, they turned to every method they could think of: ovulation tests, prenatal vitamins, fertility tracking apps, and fertility monitors.
“We even tried the unsolicited advice of friends, family, and strangers to ‘just relax.’ For 14 months, we tried, prayed, and waited. Month after month, we faced negative pregnancy tests. It felt like we were running out of options,” Sadie shared with Love What Matters.
Doctors offered little guidance, often advising Sadie to lose weight to increase her chances of conceiving. Determined, Sadie underwent gastric surgery and successfully lost 28 pounds. Her OBGYN was thrilled and told her, “If you’re not pregnant within six months, I’ll refer you to a fertility specialist.”
Despite the weight loss and renewed hope, pregnancy still didn’t happen. “I felt like I was born to be a mother,” Sadie admitted. “But even after everything, we had to accept that we might only ever be an aunt and uncle.”
A Life-Changing Text
Just as they began to let go of their dream, Sadie received a text from a friend asking if they’d consider fostering a baby. The baby’s biological parents were unable to care for him, and the caseworker initially asked them to foster while the mother sought treatment.
The couple hesitated, afraid of growing attached to a child they might not be able to keep. But soon, the story took a surprising turn: “The birth mom decided she would like you guys to adopt the child instead,” the caseworker told them.
“Holy crap!” Sadie recalled exclaiming. “We went from being childless to being told, ‘You guys are parents!’ overnight.”
The weekend was filled with excitement, nerves, and cautious optimism as they waited to see if the birth mother would change her mind. But by Monday, it was official: the mother wanted them to adopt her son through an independent adoption.
Their baby boy, Ezra Lee, was born prematurely at 33 weeks, weighing just 4 pounds, 5 ounces. “He was so tiny, he literally fit in one of my husband’s hands,” Sadie recalled.
Building a Family That Doesn’t Have to Match
The Sampsons shared their adoption story on social media, and friends and family rallied around them, purchasing 55 out of 72 items from their baby registry in just three days.
Ezra’s adoption was finalized in October 2020. The family celebrated the occasion with matching t-shirts that read, “Families don’t have to match.”
In 2021, the Sampsons’ family grew again when they welcomed twin girls, Journee and Destinee, through embryo donation. Staying true to their family motto, this Black couple became proud parents to three white children: Ezra, Journee, and Destinee.
When faced with judgment or curiosity about their family dynamic, Sadie and Jarvis have one clear message: their family is built on the strongest foundation possible—love.
Their story is a powerful reminder that families come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and that love knows no boundaries. Please share their inspiring journey with others.
She Gave Up Her Organ to Save Him, But What Happened Next Will Break Your Heart
Being married to a Hollywood star can be difficult, but some couples make it work.
Ann Serrano gave everything for her famous husband — even one of her organs — but ended up being betrayed.
Ann Serrano might not be a name you immediately recognize, but she deserves to be known for more than just being “the wife of a celebrity.” Ann has built a career as both an actress and a producer. Some people may know her from *Arrested Development*, and she even appeared in an episode of *Curb Your Enthusiasm*.
Beyond her career, Ann is a devoted mom to a daughter she shares with a famous and groundbreaking actor. The couple met during a casting for a movie, which was Ann’s first casting job. They connected and got married in September 1993. Three years later, they welcomed a beautiful daughter, Mayan.
For a long time, their high-profile marriage seemed strong, but everything changed in the early 2000s when her famous husband got devastating news.
Doctors told him that his kidneys were failing because of a genetic condition, and he needed a transplant to survive. The surgery was urgent, but he delayed it for a year because he feared the media would find out. He didn’t want their 9-year-old daughter to read about his illness in the tabloids.
Even though he was a public figure, he managed to keep the illness a secret for some time. But soon, it became clear that he needed help. That’s when Ann offered something incredible — her own kidney.
For Ann, the choice was simple, as she said in an interview.
“It’s amazing to help another human being like this. You’re giving the gift of life,” she said.
The surgery was a success, and the famous actor was lucky that his body accepted the new organ. On top of that, he lost 45 pounds as his health got better. Thanks to Ann’s generosity, they looked forward to many more happy years together. But things didn’t turn out that way.
So, who was this man? None other than George Lopez, best known for starring in *The George Lopez Show*. Today, he is one of the most loved comedians, and in 2005, *Time* magazine named him one of “The Top 25 Hispanics in America.”
Abandoned by his parents
Born in 1961 in Los Angeles to a Mexican migrant worker, George Lopez had a tough start in life. His father left him when he was just two months old, and his mother left when he was 10. George was raised by his grandmother after that.
As a shy and introverted child, George spent much of his time daydreaming. No one could have guessed he would become a Hollywood star, but George turned his tough upbringing into comedy, using his pain to create jokes that connected with people everywhere.
“I started to find my comedic voice in the early ’90s, and it revolved around my grandmother as a sort of muse,” George once shared.
“She was really something. No car could go from zero to 60 as fast as my grandmother could go from calm to upset.”
**Discovered by Sandra Bullock**
It wasn’t long before Sandra Bullock noticed George, frustrated by the lack of Hispanic representation on TV.
ABC agreed, and in 2002, George became one of the few Latinos to star in a sitcom. The show was a huge success, with nearly 10 million viewers watching during its first season. George was the co-creator, writer, producer, and star.
Despite the success of *The George Lopez Show*, it was canceled in 2007, and George wasn’t pleased. He famously told the *Los Angeles Times*, “TV just became really, really white again.”
Professionally, it was a big setback, but at that time, George had just survived a life-threatening health issue.
**Secret surgery**
On April 19, 2005, George was taken into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center under the fake name “Tom Ace,” unsure if he would survive the surgery.
Thanks to Ann’s selfless act, he made it through.
Both George and Ann had surgery in side-by-side rooms, and the next day, their daughter visited them in the hospital. Ann said she didn’t feel any different with just one kidney.
Unfortunately, it all came crashing down, and this time, it was very public.
Ann discovered the heartbreaking truth by reading it in a tabloid. In that moment, she realized the man she had loved and supported was living a double life.
“It was a pretty devastating way to find out,” Ann shared on *TheHourGlass Podcast* in 2024.
This was something Ann couldn’t tolerate, and she made the painful choice to file for divorce. Unsurprisingly, their daughter Mayan stood by her mother’s side, offering support through the heartache.
Years later, Mayan shared more about her parents’ relationship on TikTok, even asking them directly why they divorced. Ann replied, “Your dad didn’t realize you have to stop dating other people when you get married.”
A year later, Mayan, who is also pursuing an acting career, posted another video with the caption, “He cheated. She divorced him. We kept almost everything.”
**Went into therapy**
George has been more reserved about the details but expressed regret for the pain he caused, especially to his daughter. The two didn’t speak for years.
Eventually, George went to therapy with her to work through their issues, admitting it was “awkward” but necessary.
“You have to be responsible for the trauma that you’ve caused,” George said. “For the first time in my life I said, ‘Yeah, I’m responsible for this, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life repairing it.’”
“To be a father is a very special thing,” George told *ET*. He continued, “To be estranged from your child is the worst thing ever, and for the first time in my life, I owned up to my mistakes. I’m lucky Mayan took me back into her life, and a little bit of the show is about that.”
Father and daughter eventually healed their relationship, and it led to something truly special. Not only did they reconcile, but they also turned their struggles into art. Now, they co-star in the NBC comedy *Lopez vs. Lopez*, a show loosely based on their journey of fixing a complicated relationship.
Remarkably, despite everything, Ann and George maintain a good relationship. In fact, years later, Mayan asked them if they still loved each other, and both admitted they did. Ann even called George her “husband and friend,” while George simply said, “I love Ann.”
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