This remarkable narrative originates from an in-depth conversation with Lindsey Pierce, a 36-year-old former preschool teacher from London, Ohio. The account has been skillfully refined through editing to ensure both conciseness and clarity while preserving its heartfelt authenticity.
My husband, Tim, and I have always been unabashed enthusiasts of science fiction and fantasy. We proudly identify as lifelong nerds, finding joy in the sprawling universes of beloved shows such as “Star Trek” and “Stargate,” along with every film in the legendary “Star Wars” saga. These imaginative worlds have long united us through shared curiosity and wonder. Given our mutual affection for stories about time, space, and improbable journeys, it seemed almost poetic that our son’s origin would one day mirror the plot of a science fiction epic. When we recounted the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the conception and arrival of our newborn son, Thaddeus, one of our friends laughed and remarked that our experience sounded straight out of a fantastical movie. In a sense, they were absolutely right — because when our son was first conceived, I was only four years old and Tim was just three.
The timeline of Thaddeus’s existence could easily serve as the foundation of a science or mathematics riddle. Our child spent an astounding thirty years and four months — precisely about 11,150 days, for those who appreciate detailed calculations like we do — preserved in a frozen state before coming to life. He was conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) in May 1994, subsequently cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen, and stored in a specialized facility where medical science essentially held time still for more than three decades.
Thaddeus’s birth didn’t just bring immense personal joy; it also made history. His arrival officially broke the world record for the oldest known frozen human embryo to result in a successful live birth. This astonishing feat was formally recognized by Guinness World Records. The distinction was achieved because Thaddeus’s embryo had been preserved seven months earlier than those of the previous record holders — Timothy and Lydia Ridgeway of Vancouver, Washington — whose embryos, conceived in April 1992, remained frozen for 29 years and nine months before resulting in their births nearly three years ago. The Ridgeway twins will celebrate their third birthday at the end of this month.
For us, though, this monumental record is only a small part of what Thaddeus represents. To me and Tim, our vibrant, joyful baby boy is so much more than a fascinating statistic. He embodies hope realized after nearly eight discouraging and emotionally draining years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive. Thaddeus entered our world on July 26, 2025, a moment that transformed our lives forever. By then, Tim, working in data management in Columbus, Ohio, was 34, and I had just turned 35. That summer, our home was filled with both wonder and gratitude.
Tim and I met years earlier at a warm and inclusive non-denominational church — a faith community that continues to play a central role in our spiritual and personal lives. We married in July 2015, bound not only by love but by shared values and a common dream of raising children. I come from a large, close-knit family, so naturally, discussions about future parenthood arose early in our relationship. We always imagined a home filled with the laughter and energy of little ones.
We first began pursuing pregnancy in earnest around 2017 after taking some time to deepen our marriage and understand each other’s rhythms. We even planned our family according to the academic calendar — hoping to conceive in the fall so that I could give birth in late spring and enjoy the summer at home during my break from teaching. Unfortunately, reality refused to follow our careful timeline. After a year of unsuccessful attempts, we underwent a battery of fertility evaluations. Each test returned inconclusive results, leading to the frustrating diagnosis often labeled as “unexplained infertility.” There was no clear answer, no singular medical issue to address, only recurring disappointment. Month after month, for nearly two years, hope was overshadowed by disheartenment. Each announcement of a friend or family member’s pregnancy initially stung like a reminder of our own struggle. Over time, I learned to feel genuine happiness for them without letting go of my own yearning.
Because Tim and I are deeply grounded in faith, we tried to interpret our circumstances through that lens. We came to believe that perhaps it was part of God’s plan that we should wait — or perhaps even live a fuller life without conceiving biologically. At that point, we dismissed the idea of in vitro fertilization. The treatment felt prohibitively expensive and, emotionally, a step we weren’t yet prepared to take.
Our perspective shifted unexpectedly in 2022. One evening, while browsing online, I encountered information about a Christian-run embryo adoption organization based in Knoxville, Tennessee. The idea fascinated me. This agency provided a way for couples who had undergone IVF but no longer intended to use their stored embryos to make those embryos available to others — effectively giving them a chance at life. The notion resonated powerfully with us.
After thoughtful prayer and discussion, we decided to move forward, setting aside other possibilities to pursue this singular path. During our orientation with the agency staff, we learned about their “Open Hearts” program, a compassionate initiative that highlights embryos often overlooked for adoption. Many of these had been cryopreserved decades ago, dating back to the early years of IVF technology. For us, the age or background of these embryos held no relevance. We believed firmly that every embryo — regardless of how long it had been frozen — carried intrinsic worth and deserved the opportunity to live.
To be eligible, we created a profile detailing our journey and values, accompanied by photographs and personal reflections. We made it abundantly clear that we were open to any embryo, regardless of ethnicity, genetic background, or age. Eventually, the agency matched us with two sets of prospective biological families. One family chose to stay anonymous, while the other gave permission to share their identities. In December 2023, we proceeded with the first embryo transfer involving three embryos from the anonymous donors. To our heartbreak, none implanted successfully. The grief was overwhelming, but it only strengthened our determination to try again.
Our next attempt involved embryos from the second family. We had seen photos of the biological mother — a woman who had undergone IVF thirty years earlier, in 1994. After the birth of her daughter, she had paid for the continued preservation of her remaining embryos and, with admirable generosity, later donated them to the program, hoping that they might bring joy to another family. The transfer was performed in November 2024 by Dr. John Gordon at Rejoice Fertility in Knoxville. Two embryos were thawed and transferred; one failed to implant, but the other took hold — and with that, our long-awaited miracle began.
The pregnancy that followed was smooth and largely uneventful. Thaddeus grew strong and healthy, and by the time of his birth, he weighed a solid ten pounds. Despite the challenges of delivering such a large baby, I was able to give birth naturally, without medication — a moment filled with gratitude and awe. Holding my son for the first time, I couldn’t help but break down in tears, whispering prayers of thanks to God for the life He had entrusted to us.
In the weeks following Thaddeus’s arrival, I frequently found myself staring at him in disbelief, turning to Tim and repeating softly, “We have a baby.” Even now, the reality still feels like a miracle wrapped in science and faith. As of eleven weeks old, he is thriving — bright-eyed, endlessly curious, and particularly fond of bouncing in his little swing.
When Thaddeus grows older, we plan to share the full truth of his beginnings with honesty and pride. We look forward to eventually meeting his biological mother and thanking her personally for the gift she gave us. To prepare for those future conversations, we have already started collecting children’s books that explain donor and embryo-conception stories in gentle, age-appropriate ways. And as for his unique place in scientific history — as the baby who came to life from a thirty-year-old embryo — we are certain that one day he will embrace his extraordinary story with the same sense of wonder and humor that first drew us together.
If you have a personal parenting experience or story that you wish to share, Business Insider invites you to get in touch with Jane Ridley at jridley@insider.com.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/record-breaking-baby-born-was-frozen-embryo-for-30-years-2025-10
