They say ‘be yourself’ so let’s start from the beginning and start to understand why I am the person I am today and why I do the things I do.

I was born in Inverness where I lived with my parents. My dad was in the army & my mum was an army wife. We then moved to Wales, I can’t remember this time but my mum told me I spoke Welsh when I was in nursery.

The earliest memories I remember were when I was around 5. My mum and I lived with my grandparents in Scotland. I can’t remember seeing my dad but I remember seeing my dads parents – my nanny would take me to see them and my cousins but my dad was never there (from what I remember).

I started at the primary school around the corner from my grandparents. I remember feeling like I didn’t fit in at school, I was bullied by a few kids (boys & girls) – kids were just being kids but I had no resilience. I felt quite sheltered from the world.

My grandparents bought us a house and half way through P1, we moved to a new town 20 minutes away. I started a new school, the school my own 2 kids go to now. We moved because my mum was pregnant with my sister. She then had my brother 4 years later.

I had my own room, my mum worked when I was at school and she was there when I got home. I still didn’t feel like I belonged there but I was happier and I had friends.

High school was more interesting, again, reflecting back, I didn’t really fit in but I met great people that I still admire to this day. I had friends outside of school too. Aside from normal teenage dramas, I would say I was relatively happy.

I met my ex-husband when I was 16 through a friend. I was in love, he was the first person to accepted me for me. We made a decision to take what life threw and us and I gave birth to our son a month after turning 18.

My handsome boy.

The one who made me a mum.

You’re the most kind and loving little boy. You have the softest eyes and the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. You’re energy brings us so much joy every day! You’re so smart and you never fail to make me laugh! You make me proud every single day. Keep being you!

4 years later, I gave birth to our beautiful daughter.

My beautiful girl.

The one who taught me to just do me!

You’re the most confident and sassiest little girl I know. You have the kindest heart and you’re so thoughtful. You’re a diva for sure but your confidence amazes me! You make me laugh every day. You’ve been here before with those brains of yours. Don’t ever change!

I love you both. Thank you for everything you teach me and for loving me too.

8 months after getting married, we separated. It wasn’t an easy decision but we had to accept that our relationship wasn’t going to work.

It was time to take time for me. Mentally, I wasn’t prepared – my secret was no longer a secret. It was hard to ignore the judgement. I felt alone. So I drank and I spiralled until I nearly gave up.

Fast forward 6 months, June 2019. I met my, now fiancée and life couldn’t be more different. & now nearly 3 years down the line, life is difficult but we are stronger than ever and looking forward to planning our little special day!

& here we are. 2022, worldwide pandemic and so many changes to the way everyone lives.

It’s been quite a journey.