When we were growing our family from my husband and I, it was a five-year journey before our first little one arrived. We did not share that we were struggling to build our family. We did not speak up. But this time around, it's different. As we are walking through the fertility journey again, we are speaking up, and I challenge you to "Listen Up!"

Next week is National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW), and this year's theme is "Listen Up!" This theme not only encourages me to speak up about infertility, but I believe it will bring more awareness to infertility. It's unfortunately more common than you may think (infertility affects 1 in 8 couples).

Some of this year's NIAW messages are:

Listen Up! It's okay to need support if you're struggling to build a family.

Listen Up! I am 1 in 8.

Listen Up! This week I will not be silent.

Listen Up! Infertility is a disease not a life choice.

Listen Up! I support 1 in 8.

I challenge you to "Listen Up" if infertility affects you or someone you love.

I'm kicking off NIAW with the 5th annual Houston Walk of Hope. The one mile walk is to help build community and support for infertility. I invite you to walk with my family and me (Team Was Called Barren).

To finish off the week, I am attending a gender reveal party for a friend. Even better is that they will be first time parents, and are expecting twins! My first thought when I saw the invitation was "double portion." I don't know a better way than to end infertility awareness week other than celebrating a growing family.

Despite of what's on my calendar, I want to encourage and challenge you to do one thing to either speak up about being 1 in 8, or listen up for someone that is 1 in 8.

~Brandi