Sonia Holwegner’s journey hasn’t been an easy one but she has found that family is everything.
Holwegner was widowed at the age of 26 with three young kids – ages eight, five and three – when her husband, 33, was killed in a motorcycle accident on May 27, 2008.
“As time passes it gets easier to live without Jeremy. However, the pain of missing him never goes away,” she says.
She went on to have another daughter and is now close friends and co-parents with her daughter’s father.
She has also been a surrogate to two families. One for a family in England and she is due with a baby whose home will be with gay couple.
“Instantly when I met this couple, I knew I wanted help them become dads. Love is love and everyone deserves a family if that’s their dream,” she says.
“A family is made with love, it doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.”
As if all of this wasn’t enough, Holwegner also raises puppies for BC and Alberta guide dogs.
Holwegner now shares her life with Jon Pierce and they are a blended family of 10.
Pierce nominated his partner for the Amazing Heart Award.
“Sonia deserves the award because she does all the kind things she does, out of the goodness of her heart, without ever expecting or requiring recognition, only hoping that her efforts will help others’ lives,” he says.