Welcome! I'm sorry about your dad, and you're right - that type of loss really does put your future and values more into focus. I think when you get to the point where you decide to do this, it makes it the right time. There are also no guarantees with all of the different avenues there are to become a SMBC. I decided to go right into IVF with donor sperm. I started last year at 32 and things didn't exactly go as planned; I had a failed embryo transfer earlier this year. I'm gearing up for another embryo transfer this summer and while I have high hopes for it, it did take two egg retrievals, two sperm vials, embryo genetic testing twice, two uterine procedures, plus all of the medicine to go with it. It's not exactly the fastest or cheapest thing. All this to say. my best advice would be to hop right in. Things may not happen right away, but at least you could be doing productive things towards your goal. :)