Semen /ˈsēmən/ (noun) A viscid whitish fluid of the male reproductive tract consisting of spermatozoa (sperm) suspended in secretions of accessory glands

Secret /ˈsē-krət/ (noun) Something kept hidden or unexplained: a mystery

Truth /ˈtrüth/ (noun) The body of real things, events, and facts: Actuality; the state of being the case: Fact

Confession /kən-ˈfe-shən/ (noun) A written or oral acknowledgment of guilt by a party accused of an offense

I define these four words as they outline the events of our infertility journey. The Semen—that was the catalyst that started it all. The Secrets of the semen turned out to be lies we told ourselves about how this whole idea of conception and becoming parents were supposed to work. The Truths are what I learned once I discovered the lies, and the Confessions are my reflections of the journey where I had to own my truth. I found that the Semen Secrets forced me to deal with more than just infertility—they forced me to deal with me.