I grew up surrounded by love and warmth. I didn't know that I was special in this respect.
My family has 8 beautiful people in it. My lovely mama and pappy, me, my sisters Laura (18) and Phoebe (14) who always seem to be at loggerheads. Then there's Ethan (11) and Robert (2.5) who are my brothers. And finally Florence (5 months).
If you want to be picky I should count my darling partner in crime here, Christopher, he has been a part of my life for 5 years and the driving force behind my ambitions for at least that long! He truly is my rock (my stinky, hairy, manly rock, but my rock all the same!)
Growing up we didn't have all the latest gadgets, god I remember getting a computer, one of these massive towers, with a HRT monitor, a big clunky mouse and keyboard and all I could do on it was play eggbert! But, that said I was SOOO happy. I'm smiling in all the photos of my childhood, even the ones where I'm trying to be moody! My grandad would bring us these HUGE cardboard boxes that my sisters and I turned into cafe's and vets and schools and all sorts.
I had my first kiss behind a playhouse my dad made. A £99 shed from focus (back in the day!) he cut a window hole and put a piece of perspex in, and the same in the door, we had an offcut of carpet from the living room in there and all our kitchen toys, home-made beanbags and the occasional stash of biscuits.
We had sleds to play with in the snow and an awesome aqua-play system from elc where you could pump water and turn wheels and send boats round and round! it was especially fun if mum put a squirt of washing up liquid in, I think we still have it somewhere.
I always had a bike that was the right size, but only ever had a new one on one christmas. we always got the other bikes from carboot sales. they were perfectly rideable and SO much fun. If they were slightly loved we'd cover them in paint and stickers. I got one that was pink all over! Even the tyres were pink and i loved it so much, Laura went on to have it and then Phoebe, I think Ethan may have had it for a bit before he started school and realised 'pink is for girls'!
The point i'm trying to make (I think) is that kids really dont need much to be happy. I was always happy (except for when I got grounded!) And that is why I am on this journey, because my parents gave me a happy childhood and I want to share my love and warmth with the world, one hug at a time!
Mind the Corners!
