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Second chance ROMANCE: 'I found love with someone surprising after my husband died'

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Nutritious & tasty: Here’s why Lily’s Kitchen’s supplements are sure to get tails wagging

Our hounds can get bored of their playthings quite quickly, and buying the :a[best dog toys]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-dog-toys/' } to keep them constantly entertained can soon add up, which is why looking for the best deals on dog toys is a good idea. After all, playing with toys isn't all about fun for your pup, but they're vital for your pup's physical and mental well-being and can aid with training, too. One of the best times to shop for deals on dog toys is during **:a[Amazon Spring Deal Days]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/care/pet-deals-amazon-prime-day/' }, which starts this Tuesday 25 March.**

From interactive puzzles to :a[dog soft toys]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/soft-toys-for-dogs/' }, there is a lot of choice when it comes to choosing toys for your dog and they all offer different things for your pooch. Many will have your hound running and chasing, some will offer mental challenges and a workout for your pup's brain, and others will provide your mutt with something to snuggle up to.

Amazon Spring Deal Days 2025, runs from Tuesday 25 March, to Monday 31 March. That means an entire seven days of savings, paw-fect for snagging great deals on dog toys and treating your furry friend without breaking the bank so you'd be barking mad to miss out.

The :a[Amazon Spring Deal Days]{href='https://www.amazon.co.uk/events/springdealdays?tag=qtabparticle1224-21' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'} (or the Amazon Spring Sale as it was previously known) offers a great opportunity to stock up and save on pet essentials such as food, treats and toys, but you can also bag a bargain on a wide variety of products across home and garden, beauty, tech and more.

Making sure you've got enough toys to keep your pup engaged while providing different types of enrichment means you're going to end up buying a lot of toys. Plus, if your pup is a chewer, you're probably going to go through toys quite quickly. Shopping for deals on dog toys means your pup will always have new things to play with, but without it costing you a small fortune.

Whether you're after :a[toys for a small dog]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/dog-toys-for-small-dogs/' } or a large dog, we've searched Amazon for all the best deals on dog toys ahead of the Amazon Spring Sale that will keep your pooch happy and content. We'll be updating this page throughout the seven-day shopping extravaganza so be sure to bookmark this page and keep checking back for all the latest and best deals on dog toys.

_:a[Rosie Floyd]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/author/rosie-floyd/' } is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers._

Best deals on dog toys during Amazon Spring Deal Days 2025

The best deals on dog toys to give your pup cheap thrills ahead of Amazon Spring Deal Days 2025

Buying the :a[best food for your pooch]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/the-best-dog-food/' } can soon add up, so if you want to make a saving on your mutt's favourite meals, you'll want to take advantage of dog food deals. Ensuring your pup is fed a healthy and balanced meal that is filled with all the nutrients dogs need to stay strong and healthy is of the utmost importance. However, it doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune to make sure your hound gets the very best. Luckily, **:a[Amazon Spring Deal Days]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/care/pet-deals-amazon-prime-day/' } is starting on 25 March 2025**, so it offers a great time to stock up on your pup's favourite food, other pet care essentials and treats and must-haves for yourself, too.

In a time when we're all trying to cut down on household bills, shopping for dog food deals will help you to save some pennies. You may think that :a[cheap dog food]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-cheap-dog-food-uk/' } means you have to compromise on quality but that simply isn't the case. If you find a good deal, your pooch can chow down on food from their favourite brands at a fraction of the cost of the RRP.

:a[Amazon Spring Deal Days 2025]{href='https://www.amazon.co.uk/events/springdealdays?tag=qtabparticle1222-21' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'} (formerly known as the Amazon Spring Sale) is happening from Tuesday 25 March to Monday 31 March, giving shoppers a full week to bag some serious bargains. This annual sale offers huge savings across a wide range of categories, but if you're a dog owner, it's the perfect time to stock up on dog food at unbeatable prices. Expect deals on popular brands, bulk-buy discounts, and even savings on speciality diets like grain-free or :a[weight-loss dog food]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-dog-food-for-weight-loss/' }. Plus, you'll find markdowns on other pet care essentials alongside discounts on home, garden, tech, and more.

## Early Amazon Spring Deal Days discounts: Best dog food deals

Whether your pup is a lover of wet or :a[dry dog food]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/dry-dog-food/' } or has specific dietary requirements, such as needing a :a[grain-free recipe]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-grain-free-dog-food/' } for their meals, there are some great dog food deals to be had. To save you some scrolling time, we've searched the web to bring you a selection of dog food offers and discounts on much-loved brands.

Our team of dog owners and pet lovers has been hunting for the best Amazon pet deals for years, so we know a great dog food discount when we see one! We’ll be keeping this page updated with the top dog food deals during Amazon Spring Deal Days so bookmark this page and check back regularly to keep your furry friend well-fed for less.

Amazon Spring Deal Days: Best Dog Food Deals

Early Amazon Spring Deal Days discounts: Best dog food deals to stock up and save on

The cost of providing your kitty with complete and balanced nutrition can soon add up, but thanks to the best cat food deals, you can serve up tasty meals for less than the RRP. Cats can be notoriously picky at mealtimes, so if you spot :a[cat food]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/cats/best-cat-food-sensitive-wet-dry/' } that you know your moggy just can't get enough on offer, it's always a good idea to stock up so you can save in the long run. If you're after a particular food for your fussy cat and love a cheeky bargain, Amazon has some great cat food deals and offers on other cat care essentials during its **:a[Amazon Spring Deal Days]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/care/pet-deals-amazon-prime-day/' } event starting Tuesday 25 March.**

When it comes to taking care of your feline friend, providing them with the best food is very important for their health and happiness. However, you don’t have to spend a fortune to guarantee your kitty is getting a top-quality meal. Taking advantage of cat food deals on dry or :a[wet cat food]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/cats/wet-cat-foods/' } means your moggy gets all the vital vitamins and minerals they need but for less.

:a[Amazon Spring Deal Days 2025]{href='https://www.amazon.co.uk/events/springdealdays?tag=qtabparticle1225-21' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'} (or Amazon Spring Sale as it was previously known) is taking place from Tuesday 25 March to Monday 31 March, giving you seven whole days to take advantage of the discounts and bag yourself a bargain. As well as deals on cat food and other pet care essentials, you'll find sales across multiple categories on the site, including home, garden, beauty, tech and SO much more.

## Best cat food deals ahead of Amazon Spring Deal Days 2025

Whether you're after :a[food for a senior cat]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/cats/best-cat-food-for-seniors/' }, a kitten or an adult feline, we've searched Amazon to find all early cat food deals ahead of the Amazon Spring Deal Days 2025 that will leave you feeling happy that you've saved money while providing your kitty with food that leaves them very satisfied.

We'll be keeping this page updated with all the best cat food deals during the Amazon Spring Sale, so bookmark this page to stay on top of the best discounts for your lucky cat.

Best cat food deals during Amazon Spring Deal Days

Best cat food deals: Save on Lily’s Kitchen, Whiskas and more during Amazon Spring Deal Days 2025

When it comes down to pampering your furry friend, it's hard to know where to begin – we just want to treat them to everything. That's why we love shopping on Amazon, as we can get cat and :a[dog food]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/the-best-dog-food/' }, treats, toys, and so much more for our fluffy besties under one roof. If you're looking to save with the best Amazon pet deals, one of the best times to shop is during the **Amazon Spring Deal Days, which starts on Tuesday 25 March**, so there's not long to go until you can bag a bargain. Some early deals are live right now, but more on these later...

We've been waiting patiently for Amazon to confirm the dates of this year's Amazon Spring Sale, and we can now reveal that Amazon Spring Deal Days 2025 is going to be running from 25-31 March, so that's seven whole days of big deals across the whole site to take advantage of. Last year's Spring Sale was five days long, giving you two extra days this year to shop the sales.

If you're not sure what the Amazon Spring Deal Days are (or the Amazon Spring Sale, as it's more commonly known), think of it as a big shopping extravaganza where you can buy and save on almost anything you can think of. When you love your pets just as much as we do, we see Amazon shopping events as the purr-fect chance to spoil our furry friends. Shopping on Amazon can help you stock up and save on everyday pet care essentials with :a[offers on cat food]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/cats/cat-food-deals/' }, dog food and treats. Plus, there are products such as :a[dog DNA tests]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-dog-dna-test-uk/' }, cat trees, pet cages, toys and more to spoil your pet with.

It's not just pet products, though (although treats and essentials for our furry friends will definitely be in our baskets); there are big discounts and deals to be had across home and garden, hair and beauty, everyday home essentials and so much more, from top name brands that we all know and love.

## Amazon Spring Sale early deals: Best Amazon pet deals ahead of the Amazon Spring Deal Days

Here at Take a Break, we have been searching and shopping the Amazon Spring Sale deals for years, so we know what a good deal looks like. We'd recommend bookmarking this page so you can revisit it as we update it with all the best Amazon pet deals during the Amazon Spring Deal Days.

While the Amazon Spring Deal Days sale hasn't started quite yet, there are some early pet deals live right now that you can take advantage of. Hurry though, as often once they've sold out, that's it!

_:a[Natalie Corner]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/author/natalie-corner/' } is the Commercial Content Editor across the Specialist Portfolio for Bauer Media,_ _specialising in dog care. Her beloved cocker spaniel, Dash, is a keen tester of all dog treats and food and will always show off his wagging tail for Take A Break Pets._

Best Amazon pet deals for Amazon Spring Deal Days

Stock up and save with the best Amazon pet deals ahead of the Amazon Spring Deal Days 2025

Dealing with a soggy doggy after a rainy dog walk isn't the most fun task for us pup owners, which is why the best waterproof dog coats come in handy on days when the forecast is looking particularly damp. They're a must-have :a[dog-walking accessory]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/dog-walking-accessories/' } for any pup who loves the adventure of going on wet walkies.

## Best waterproof dog coats at a glance:

While putting your pooch in a :a[dog coat]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/the-best-dog-coats-uk/' } can be fun and they’ll look super cute, the waterproof ones are practical too. They’ll keep your hound nice and dry (and also clean) so you won’t have to worry about them shaking off everywhere after they’ve been out in the rain. Not only that, but the best waterproof dog coats will provide your hound with an additional protective layer to stop them from getting cold, whether they're out in the rain, playing in the snow, or exposed to other elements, such as strong wind.

Whether you're heading out in a little drizzle or a full-on storm, the best waterproof dog coats combine functionality and style to make sure your canine companion is ready to embrace whatever the outdoors throws at them. Take a look at our top picks below and don't forget to grab up a :a[dog waking coat]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/dog-walking-coat/' } for yourself too, so you're both kept nice and dry on walkies together.

## How we chose the best waterproof coats for dogs

All of these waterproof dog coats have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered quality, fit and style in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching waterproof coats for dogs to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.

With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval.

__:a[Rosie Floyd]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/author/rosie-floyd/' } is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.__

Protect your pooch from the elements on wet walkies with the best waterproof dog coats

Climb through tunnels and whizz down the slides of giant wooden play structures that look like something from a fairytale, enjoy messy play and get soaked in the outdoor wet play area, enjoy sensory play, chase each other round the huge indoor soft play, bounce on the jumping pillows, visit the farm and zoo animals, step inside the lemur enclosure, and meet Hobbledown's real-life characters. This is a place where imaginations can run wild, and where fun feels less commercialised that other days out attractions. There are two Hobbledown Heaths, one in Hounslow, West London, and one in Epsom, Surrey. We visited the one in Epsom.

I visited on a bank holiday Friday during the Easter break, with my husband and two sons, Odhran, aged 8, and Reuben, aged 5. Its was raining in the morning but turned into a beautiful warm day, with blue skies, which was a relief as most of what there is to enjoy here is outdoors. It is best to visit during the warmer months when the weather is more reliable. But if rain affects more than an hour of your visit, Hobbledown will issue you a 50 per cent return admission voucher that is valid for rebooking within one month. The bit of rainy we had didn't interfere with our enjoyment of the day in the slightest.

There is so much to see and do at Hobbledown. It's an adventure park, farm and small zoo combined. We visited during the Easter school holidays when there were additional activities on offer, such as a Golden Egg Hunt, Spring Story Time, and archery (rubber ended bow, suitable for all ages). There was so much to see that we didn't have time to visit a lot of the animals.

The outdoor water play area is directly in front of you as you enter. So, most kids will make a beeline to the water pumps, pipes, funnels and tipping jugs. We found some of the tipping jugs weren't working properly but that didn't stop the boys enjoying themselves. I was grateful for the advice of a friend who previously visited Hobbledown and told me to pack a towel and dry clothes as my youngest was soaked from head to toe within minutes. It got the day off to a fun-filled start. Luckily, you're allowed to exit and re-enter so my husband could take the heavy bag of sopping wet clothes out to the car, instead of having to carry them around all day. Next to the outdoor water play area is a giant wooden structure where the boys quickly made friends with other kids and they all enjoyed chasing each other around, climbing and playing hide and seek. I joined in for a game myself and found it fun with lots of areas to duck and dive and hide behind. The Easter Bunny was roaming around with enchanted characters creating huge bubbles. But my boys couldn't be torn away from the wooden play structure.

This is a wonderful addition to Hobbledown as it offers a bit of respite should it rain. We headed into The Imaginarium when it started to drizzle. There's a large water table area, where little ones can enjoy water play without getting soaked. There are little boats and water shooters you can aim at wheels to make them turn, alongside kinetic sand tables. Then there's an area that's a couple of levels high, with tunnels and rope nets for climbing. It's also part reptile house. As they're climbing and crawling around, children can discover creatures in glass enclosures, including a tarantula and poison dart frogs. They're being encourage to creep and crawl alongside the creepy-crawlies, and it's a wonderful idea.

The rainy morning meant the indoor playbarn was busy. But considering it was during the Easter holidays, it wasn't heaving, and it didn't take long before we found a table to sit at, while the boys chased each other round the soft play. The soft play was huge, with lots of slides, tunnels and trampolines. There was also a gated toddler area for under 3s, with its own mini play-frame, sensory lights and mirrors. The boys spent about 45mins in the indoor playbarn, and would have spent longer only they were keen to go explore Fern's Castle.

The sun was out by the time we ventured down to Fern's Castle. This fairytale castle is an impressive structure, where kids can have endless fun. Made of metal and wood, it has tunnels, towers and slides to explore.

There was story time and a move and groove session with characters at The Thinkery during our visit, but my boys deemed these activities too babyish for them. This is probably more suitable to under 5s and certainly something my boys would have really enjoyed when they were a bit younger. The toddlers there seemed to be having a great time engaging with the characters and dancing along.

This is an area of Hobbledown we'll need to revisit to fully explore. Hobbledown Epsom is home to a variety of animals including: armadillo, ring-tailed lemur, camel, meerkat, wallaby, prairie dog, otters, mara, pygmy goat, alpaca, capybara, giant rabbits, sheep and pigs. There were a couple of times during the day when we could go inside the Lemur enclosure. We waited for the last slot in the afternoon but by then it was a little windy and the lemurs refused to come out and play. So, if you want to enjoy this part of your visit, it might be best to attend the earlier slot to give yourself a second chance to visit in the afternoon if the lemurs aren't playing ball. You can pay extra for experience days, whether it's feeding the meerkats or a full zookeeper experience. We saw a few animals while making our way around Hobbledown, including the tortoise. But some enclosures were closed during our visit. You can purchase food to feed the farm animals.

A range of bird of prey rest in their aviaries and throughout the summer there are daily flying displays on peak days (weekends and school holidays).

You'll find different characters roaming around Hobbledown on different dates. These include Fern the fairy, Professor Topperpot, Sludgebucket, the colourful Flower Ranger, and the mischievous Skibblers. The characters help to add to the sense of fairytale magic at Hobbledown.

There's a giant bouncy pillow and water pillow, which the boys loved, as these activities are always a hit with kids. There was a big outdoor messy play area, where Odhran seemed completely lost in his own imagination. Reuben loved the wooden dragon sleigh and the wicker basket swing.

Hobbledown run extra special events during occasions such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas. We visited during the Easter school holidays and extra activities included in the cost were a Golden Egg Scavenger Hunt, which the boys really enjoyed. They collected a treat on the way out, after finding eggs hidden all around Hobbledown. We enjoyed taking pictures at the Easter Bunny meet and greet. There was also a build your own bunny workshop, to stuff your own cuddle toy, and a bunny brunch, both of which guests could play extra to enjoy. During our visit there was archery. This is available on peak days. So, weekends and school holidays. Archery is usually an additional extra on days out, so we were pleasantly surprised to find this covered in the admission cost at Hobbledown.

These were closed during our visit due to essential maintenance work. But this activity needs to be booked at an additional cost of £5 per session. The minimum height requirement is 1.3m. So, my five-year-old would have been too little to take part. Besides, there was so much to do during our first visit to Hobbledown that I think we'd have struggled to fit in the high ropes too. But this 70-metre-long sky trail, which stretches about the bouncy pillows and fairy castles, might be something to consider if you've got older kids to entertain. Or if the adults want to have a bit of fun! The high ropes tend to only be open during select times over the summer months.

There is a really good range of food options. The main restaurant is the Hobnosh bar, which is beside the softplay area. Here you'll find everything from all day breakfast, noodles, katsu curry, chicken nuggets, fish goujons, jacket potato, and kids meals from £4.95 for a hot meal to £5.95 for lunch box including ham and cheese roll, drink and fruit, and the choice of two snacks. There's also the Pizza Cottage, a shack next to an outdoor seating area with a large overhead canopy. We had lunch here and shared a good-sized and reasonably priced handmade Margarita and Pepperoni pizza, at a cost of £22. The boys also each had two marshmallows for toasting, at a pricey (but similar to what we've seen elsewhere) cost of just over £5. They enjoyed toasting these over the open pit. The boys also had a slushie each, which is something that's hard to avoid when you're on a day out with kids. There's lots of seating, both inside next to the soft play and outdoors (lots of which has overhead covering), and lots of families had brought a packed lunch. So if you're looking to save, bring a picnic.

**How long does it take to go around Hobbledown Heath?**

We arrived at 10.30am and left at 3.30pm. But even in five hours we didn't manage to fit everything in. Apparently there's a maze, teepee and zorbs (included in admission cost, but running on select peak days only. You can check opening times and book your session on the Hobbledown app). But we're happy to have more to discover on our next visit.

Hobbledown is best suited for children aged 2-13.

Timeslot tickets start from £15 per person and anytime tickets from £17 per person. Under 2s go free. There are also Afternoon Saver tickets for guests arriving after 3.30pm, which start from £11 per person. And Toddler Days on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, offer great value entry at £13 for one parent and one pre-schooler. But these Toddler Day tickets aren't available during peak periods, such as during school holidays. Generally speaking, we searched and found that if you're looking to visit on a weekend during the summer, you're likely to pay around £84 for a family of four.

**Tips for visiting Hobbledown Heath Epsom**

This is a 5/5 attraction for us. I overheard one mum tell her child 'I like this place because it doesn't feel to commercialised' and I agree. It's relaxed and wholesome fun. We were impressed by the long opening hours, giving plenty of time to enjoy the day at a leisurely pace. Hobbledown is open 9.30am to 5.30pm Mon-Fri, and 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays. There was no getting up at the crack of dawn and rushing to get there as soon as it opened to try and squeeze everything in. Considering the variety of activities on offer, the long opening hours, free parking, and overall fun and length of time spent there, we think this is a great value day out, and we'll certainly be returning.

Hobbledown Heath Epsom review: What to know before you go…

**_The doctor had dropped a clanger, but it only made me more determined. By Kerry Downey, 45_**

I looked down nervously and said: ‘I can’t have kids.’

But when I looked up again, the face opposite just smiled at me.

Aged 34, I’d met him on a blind date and we’d been inseparable ever since.

At 25, I’d been diagnosed with endometriosis and had been through endless operations to try to help with the pain.

But every month, my periods would cause me so much agony, I’d faint.

To help me get through it, I’d comfort eat bread and butter and devour takeaways, often unable to move from my bed.

I’d always been big, using my babysitting money for secret snacks when I was a teen, squeezing into a size 16 by the time I was 14.

I’d tried to trim down many times but my weight kept yo-yoing.

I’d munch my way through up to 10 packets of cheese and onion crisps a day, as I rushed about working as a childminder.

And when my pain worsened and left me in agony all month long, Brian was my rock.

Eventually, with my health getting worse, I began having hormone injections to induce menopause.

I developed high blood pressure too, and doctors warned: ‘You’re at risk of having a stroke.’

I saw a specialist to have more treatment for my endometriosis. But what he told me left me reeling.

‘You have endometriosis because you’re fat,’ he said. ‘That’s what’s causing your endometriosis and all the pain.’

My mouth fell open as he added: ‘Next time I see you, I’d like you to be a lot smaller.’

I was furious. I knew my condition wasn’t caused by my weight.

‘I’ll prove that man wrong,’ I told Brian.

Joining Slimming World for the fifth time, I weighed in at 15st 8lbs.

I swapped my full English greasy fry-ups for eggs cooked in light oil spray, and when I made my famous roast, I lost the lashings of butter and milk in the potatoes.

I’d still load up my plate, but I managed to ditch the crisps.

Slowly, the weight dropped off and, with Brian’s support, I hit my goal after 11 months.

I kept going and a year later, when my 40th birthday came round, I’d lost three stone.

I felt amazing as I pulled on a size 14 floral dress for my birthday spa day with friends.

And I was even prouder when I confidently slipped into my red swimsuit.

Four months on, though, I was still in pain so I saw a different specialist who agreed to a hysterectomy — the only thing that could cure my pain.

It was a difficult decision but it was a success. Finally, the endometriosis pain was gone.

Pain-free, I was able to exercise, and I’d walk miles each day and even took up running.

And the following year, at home in Ballymena, County Antrim, Brian gave me a surprise.

He handed me my birthday card and my jaw dropped.

It read: _Happy birthday to my fiancée._

‘No way!’ I shouted, as he dropped to one knee.

After seven years at Slimming World, I now weigh 10st 7lbs and I’m a size 10-12.

I’ll be so excited to slip into my dream dress for our wedding this year — pain-free and feeling fabulous.

**Dinner:** spaghetti Bolognese with jar sauces

**Lunch:** homemade soup and wholemeal bread

**Dinner:** homemade spaghetti Bolognese with extra veg

‘I’ll SHOW that MAN!’ Doctor told me I was in pain because I was fat

_**When I read about a surprise arrival at the local fire station, I was inspired to perform my own special rescue.**_ **_By Brittany Tyler, 37_**

Taking a deep breath, I looked at my boyfriend Chris and the words came spilling out.

‘We’d need help to fall pregnant,’ I confessed.

I’d been told that after being diagnosed with PCOS as a teenager. Now I’d met Chris and we’d started talking about our future together, I knew I had to be honest with him.

‘It’ll be OK,’ Chris reassured me. ‘We’re in this together.’

‘There’s always adopting or fostering too,’ I said.

In time, Chris and I married and, after our first anniversary, we decided to start trying for a baby. At first I was taking medication to help trigger ovulation, but a year on, with nothing happening, we tried IVF.

We were able to get two embryos which we transferred.

‘I’m pregnant!’ I excitedly announced, after taking a test.

But shortly afterwards, I had a miscarriage.

We didn’t have the money to try again, so I said: ‘Let’s look into adoption and fostering.’

Chris and I had so much love to give, it felt right for us and after going to a foster care information evening, we signed up right away.

Going through all the background tests, training and home study was a long and stressful process but the thought of offering a happy home to a child in need spurred us on.

Once we were approved, we were excited when we received the news that we’d got our first placement.

‘It’s a 10-month-old boy,’ I told Chris.

His name was Judah and he had blond curls and blue eyes. Although he was quiet at first, he soon settled in and within weeks he was calling us Mummy and Daddy.

We wanted to help as many kids as possible, so we opened our door to more who needed fostering.

Most of them came to us scared and unsure of what was happening, and it was a challenging yet rewarding task to love them and make them feel loved.

Each child had such a different personality and we loved watching them reach their milestones and learn new things.

A particular favourite was swimming lessons.

‘I think we’re ready for the waterpark this summer,’ I’d say afterwards and the kids would all cheer.

It wasn’t easy fostering and taking care of someone else’s child but it was rewarding to see parents do the work and change their lives to get their children back.

Still keen to start a family, Chris and I planned to adopt any of our foster kids that weren’t able to be reunited with their birth family.

So we were thrilled when after two years of foster care, we were able to adopt Judah and then a little boy called Calvin, who came to us at nine weeks old.

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