Growing up I always thought I’d end up married with two kids by the age of 25. Every girl’s fantasy, until it wasn’t a reality. 

Time flew by and, after (quite) a few failed relationships, I was nowhere near settled down. On the other hand, however, I finally had a job that I enjoyed, in an industry I found fascinating.

Suddenly, I was 28, single and thriving. I spent the week travelling for work and the weekends socialising with friends. Life was good, but somewhat unfulfilled - was this really it?

I was away working when I heard the news that one of our friends, my sister’s best friend, had been taken seriously ill in hospital. In a weird change of fate, it was at her funeral that I reconnected with my now partner, and father to my children. Had it not been for that terrible tragedy, it is likely those wonderful children would not be here today. To our dear friend, Mikki, I know you would be laughing at the turn of events and I hope you know, wherever you are, in something so dark, you helped to create something so light.

After a miscarriage in December 2020, we found out we were pregnant with Dougie in April 2021. I worked right up until Dougie was born, six weeks early but thankfully healthy. 

Shortly after Dougie’s first birthday, we found out we were pregnant again. After a high risk pregnancy, Tallulah completed our little family when she was born exactly three weeks prior to her due date. 

I was so lucky with how smoothly (and quickly) the births of both the children were, not so lucky with the pregnancies and the irreparable damage they created on my body! I now suffer with consistent intercostal neuralgia (nerve pain), something I’m told will never fully disappear.

Despite the constant pain, motherhood is truly amazing. To go from single to Mum in less than five years has been a crazy journey and has changed me irrevocably for the better. I always used to moan about how little time I had, I laugh at that now. How we do it is still a mystery to me - society expects you to work like you’re single, but parent like you’re unemployed. 

I always find it strange when I get asked to chose between motherhood and my career. Why do I have to pick? I'm driven and motivated and while I agree we can't have it all, we can have both. It takes some juggling, and I'm pretty sure a lack of sanity, but if you want it, it's there for the taking.

It leaves me asking this question; what do you want in life and how are you going to get there?

- Morgan x