Pregnant together: Couple shares unique pandemic pregnancy

Being so close in age, they’ll grow up in the same grade and will have to explain to others how they’re brothers, but not twins.

Elliott Koppel was born Jan. 27, 2020; Ezra Koppel was born April 16, 2020, and their mothers are married to each other.

"The experience itself, and being able to relate to each other and discuss anything we were going through was also quite the experience," Amy Koppel, of New Hope, said about her and her wife Kelsi’s unique pandemic pregnancies.

After being together for more than six years, the two decided it was time to expand their family. Knowing how difficult it is to get pregnant, the two decided to double their chances and both try. After doing their research and looking online, the two couldn’t agree on a donor – Amy asked a close friend to be the donor, he agreed, and their family journey began.

"The first time, I got pregnant right away and I ended up miscarrying about 12 weeks into my pregnancy," Amy said. "Kelsi didn’t really want to stop trying to get pregnant so I said, ‘Why don’t you just continue trying,’ you know, what are the chances?"

It turns out the Koppels were lucky as the two continued to try and get pregnant – 10 weeks after Kelsi became pregnant, Amy did as well.

As a gay couple, this milestone and others they’ve been able to accomplish – including getting married – were only imagined in their dreams.

"Everybody was just so supportive – we’ve always wanted a family, we always wanted to get married, these are just things we never thought may ever happen," Amy said.

As for the conversations with the boys about their family, the Koppels say they’ve already started.

"We’re hoping to teach them about inclusiveness and just loving one another," Amy said. "We want to be as open as possible so they understand their circumstance."

The Koppels say one of the hardest parts was the first few months after their second son’s birth – despite being so close in age at that point, the two were at very different stages. The family says it has leveled out now and the two have a strong brotherly love.