Looking back on two years of tries and fries

These days, the Petersen family needs a table for three when they go to their local Whataburger in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

For almost two years, Brett and Desiree Petersen had a standing lunch date at Whataburger after every IVF appointment. It became a space for them to reflect on their journey, process its ups and downs, and hold onto hope. 

“It just kind of became a tradition,” Brett said. “It became a comfort place.” 

“We knew that after each appointment, we'd get to go have a little date at Whataburger,” Desiree added. “It was time to reflect, just talk, and enjoy lunch.” 

Those lunch dates carried them through countless appointments, until the couple got good news: Desiree was pregnant. In February 2025, they welcomed their son, Beckham.  

“That was super emotional,” Desiree said. “It was super exciting and happy, but it was also the end of a hard journey.” 

After taking Beckham to meet the staff at the IVF clinic, their next stop was the Whataburger down the street, where they’d spent so many lunches together. 

“Thank you, Whataburger,” Desiree said, “for the good food and the feeling that it gave us.”