Tyra Branks is a mom! On Wednesday night, the former supermodel took to Instagram to announce that she and her boyfriend Erik Asla have welcomed a son via surrogate.
"The best present we worked so hard for is finally here," she captioned a photo of an adorable newborn hospital hat. "He's got my fingers and big eyes and his daddy Erik's mouth and chin. As we thank the angel of a woman that carried our miracle baby boy for us, we pray for everyone who struggles to reach this joyous milestone. York Banks Asla, welcome to the world."
Banks, 42, opened up about her fertility struggles last September and explained that she had undergone IVF procedures in hopes of having a child with Asla but nothing was working for them, as HNGN previously reported. "It's not so easy as you get older. I've had some not happy moments with that, very traumatic moments. It's difficult as you get older," she tearfully said at the time. "It's not something that can just happen."
But now that the couple, who hav been dating for more than two years, has found a procedure that worked for them, they couldn't be happier to have a child of their own.
"We are so excited for our new baby boy bundle of joy," Banks told People following the announcement. "The journey to now has not been an easy process, as I've shared before. But there was a beautiful bright light at the end of the tunnel for me and his father, Erik. As I gaze into the beautiful eyes of my son, I think about all the people who struggle with fertility or carrying a child and continue to pray for them every day. My hopes and dreams are filled with well wishes that they get to feel what my little treasure, York Banks Asla, feels like in my arms."
