One

Jodi: I sat in bed and flicked through my photo album. It was full of photos of John and I. To anyone else, this would seem like a normal photo album. But to us, it tells our story. We can remember each photo being taken. We know whether we were at home or in care during all of those photos. But that was a long time ago now.

A few months ago I celebrated my 27th birthday, and John celebrated his 29th. Andy and I live in a 4 bedroom house about half a mile away from Andy's parents. We have two kids, twins, Peter-John (PJ) and Nova Bender-Clarke. They're five years old. Andy and I got married when they were nearly three, exactly three years ago next month. John gave me away. At the moment, John and Claire are staying with us, along with their son, Ryder. Their house is having a lot of work done. They married on mine and John's birthday four years ago, a year before their son was born. Claire's currently 5 months pregnant with their second child.

It's so weird looking back at these photos. During highschool, before college, during college, weddings, birthdays. It's amazing how things change. I went on from college to become an artist. I have regular exhibitions in local galleries. I'm getting paid for doing something I love. Andy teaches PE in our local middle school, he also coaches the school's wrestling team and our local little league baseball team, the one that PJ plays for. John is now manager of the bar he used to work in, they've renovated it to a restaurant as well and he works there full time. Claire works in fashion for some huge company in town. Allison has become a school counsellor. And Brian, well Brian's a scientist.

Andy: I stood in the doorway and looked out to the garden. It was summer. Nova was throwing a baseball for PJ to practice hitting it. Bear was chasing the ball and nearly tripping the kids up. Ryder was sat on a picnic blanket, also watching them. I could get used to this. I love having kids around. During school holidays, Jodi and usually watch the three of them. John and Claire still work through the summer. So does Jodi but she works at home so that's not too bad.

John: When I came home from work, Ryder came running up to me shouting "Daddy!" I'll never get tired of that. Having a kid makes me think of when I was a kid. When Ryder was born I promised him and myself that I would make sure he had a better childhood than me. Since then, everything I do is for him.

Claire: It was a Tuesday. Tuesday night was when we all got together. By the time I got home Brian and Allison had already come over. When I walked in the house, John was holding Ryder upside down by his legs. Ryder was giggling like crazy. His hair was wet from bathtime and he was in his pyjamas. John put him down when I came in and he ran into my arms. I love my little family.

Jodi: I was bathing the twins when I heard Claire come home. The twins heard her too, PJ shot out of the bath and ran down the stairs, leaving bubbles and wet patches everywhere. I followed him down with Nova in my arms wrapped in a towel, carrying another towel for PJ. When I got down, Andy and PJ were pretending to box. Allison took the towel off me, snuck up behind PJ and wrapped the towel around him. PJ shrieked and laughed. I loved seeing all the guys bond with the kids like this, it's so sweet.

Brian: Once all the kids had been put to bed, we all went down into the basement. We all converted the basement into a play room for the kids and also a bigger lounge. We use this when we meet up so that we don't disturb the kids, Jodi and Claire just bring down the baby monitors. We had a couple of beers, some snacks and just talked about anything new that had happened. Allison and I had news to share.

Allison: We had just finished talking about Claire's pregnancy. "Uh guys? I have some news, well actually we both do." I said, looking at Brian. Everyone looked at us, smiling. I lifted up my left hand and showed everyone my ring. We were engaged. Jodi hugged me.

"Oh my gosh I'm so happy for you!" She said.

"We have got to start picking out wedding dresses! We have a fab collection at work!" Claire joined in. The boys congratulated Brian. I'm so happy I get to marry the love of my life.