This is Melly – an old and cherished friend. Somewhat disgracefully, we’ve not seen each other for a number of years. I fact, in the time since I last saw her she’s gone and got a husband and son who now are the centre of her world. That’s the best news I’ve heard for a long time. I hope Melly won’t mind me saying that her emotional life before she met Mike was a bit grim. She’s really been through some very tough times indeed.

Mike has transformed her life from one where she was cherished and valued in her workplace (incidentally how we met – she did a maternity leave cover for our team’s assistant…..Susie!) but she had a miserable life at home. (I can relate to that one all right.)

Nowadays, Melly is a full-time Mum and spends her days caring for this beautiful child and his Dad. She is a changed woman. Happiness radiates from her as though she’s glowing.

The reason we got into contact again was that she sent me an invitation to her wedding but unfortunately we’d already accepted an invitation to the wedding of some work colleagues. So we said let’s treat this is the rekindling of our friendship and meet up. It’s taken a huge mountain of organisation, what with my work schedule, Cornwall, Mike’s shifts and Andrew’s parties etc but eventually we got there and here they are. I have finally got to meet the man that swept her off her feet and the ‘little treasure’ that is her boy. I’m glad to report that I approve! Well, it’d be a strange friend who didn’t as it’s clear how happy she is.

Of course, I had to get my camera out and record the occasion for posterity. So here they are. Bubbles credit to DM as is a ‘backlighting’ credit too – it was his idea to have a second light set up to make the white really white…..I’ll get the hang of this one of these days.

Another little miracle of this story is that Andrew, at a mere two years old, had a heart operation on 12th January – he’s now fully recovered but it was a deeply distressing time for Mum and Dad. Melly is born to be a Mum – she’s positively blooming and she’s a natural with him. Like all first-time mums though she’s forever worrying about doing the right thing by him. It’s the eternal question isn’t it? Whatever happens, I feel sure she’s going to do just fine!

Last year my patience was being tried by traffic.