Love isn’t all red roses
“I quit my 30-year nursing career to care for my mum. It wasn’t something I decided. It’s something that happened due to her developing a spinal injury, which resulted in a sudden loss of mobility. Though, I’m grateful that I am able to. I consider it a privilege. Day-to-day, I have to manage household responsibilities and deal with mum’s ongoing health concerns, while giving her emotional support and helping her regain as much independence as possible. But just being there for her is probably the most important thing I do.
Recently, mum was very ill and spent 5 weeks in hospital. I had the nurses teach her how to use a phone so I could read her prayers. Even though I could only see her through the hospital window, I’d bring her lavender sprays, camomile tea and home-cooked food. But even through the hard times, our connection and respect for each other has gotten deeper.”
- Jaycee, an unpaid carer supported by Carers Trust
“Back in February 2020, I plucked up the courage to ask Josh out on a date and he luckily said yes. But our 3rd date got cancelled because of lockdown. I just assumed it would fizzle out, it actually made us talk more.
Two weeks into lockdown, I received a bouquet of Bloom & Wild flowers, with a cute note. I had the biggest smile on my face for the rest of the week! So I sent him a box of craft beer to enjoy over the weekend. After the next bunch of flowers came, I decided to send him a face mask from Selfridges. I love a good face mask, so the joke was that I sent him his first one to try.
But the most thoughtful thing Josh has ever done was getting me three massive hydrangeas. When the lockdown rules began to loosen, we started going on socially distanced dates. This was really exciting because it made us think of daytime activities to do together. I’d told him that my favourite flowers are hydrangeas, so he turned up outside my house with some. I’ve dried them out and still have them in my lounge today. Every time I look at them it reminds me of that day.”
- Georgia and Josh
“I was actually a very insecure teenager. I hated my body, I thought I was boring and comparison was forever stealing my joy. But I had my wake up moment when I was 21 and read a book called 15 Laws of Growth by John Maxwell. I learnt about how growth is intentional, confidence is a practice and self-love is a choice we have to make on a daily basis.
But the most important lesson I’ve learnt is that I matter simply because I exist. My positive and negative thoughts are always fighting against each other. But I have to constantly remind myself that I am not my thoughts.
To me, self-love is being unapologetic about who you are and not being afraid to show up as your true authentic self every single day. Be radical in loving ALL of you because the relationship you have with yourself is the most important and powerful one of all. And remember, confidence is a practice. So if it’s been knocked, then it can be rebuilt. By identifying and unlocking your strengths. By getting into alignment with your passions. And by focussing on living a life where you love who you are and what you do.”
- Tiwa
“Back in 2007 when my girlfriend and I first met in Poland, coming out wasn't something you did lightly. Even in quite progressive environments. There was a lot of fear around the LGBTQ+ community, as well as just pure old homophobia. Being ‘out’ in your day-to-day life often meant being exposed to verbal and even physical abuse. It had a massive impact on your work, your friends, and your family.
We would sometimes go to Pride marches back in Poland, but they weren't celebrations at all. The group protesting against us was always bigger than those marching. It was not a fun thing so we didn't go to many - we were just trying to live our lives. Going to our first London Pride was in 2009 was an unforgettable experience. But what stood out most to me was the ‘anti-pride’ protest of about 15 people next to the tens of thousands of very happy people marching. To be able to experience that after moving from our home country still gets me.
We got engaged in 2014, around the same time same-sex marriage was legalised in the UK. I took a secret day off of work and spent it ring shopping with my mate (and my girlfriend’s friend on the phone). I proposed in one of our favourite spots - in Brighton on the hiking path towards Ditching Beacon. It was pretty epic.”
- Marta
“I got Sonny and Cher after my husband and I moved into our first house. We’ve always loved tortoises because they look like tiny dinosaurs (which is what we like to call them). One day, a girl I work with told me that she had 2 tortoises who weren’t getting the attention they deserved and asked if we were interested in adopting them. We absolutely were, and the rest is history.
They are so much more affectionate and full of character than I could have imagined. Sonny is a sunseeker and will lodge himself anywhere there is heat, especially in my husband’s armpit. And if they’re out and about when we’re stood at the sink, they’ll both come and just sit on our feet to keep us company. It’s been a difficult year without being able to see friends and family but these two can always cheer us up after a rough day.
Last year was our first Valentine’s Day with them, so to commemorate the occasion I made them cards to each other and let them gorge on their favourite - strawberries!”
- Alice
