March 2018

Andrea Edwards

Believe in love and don’t settle unless it’s with someone capable of adoring all of you

Part of my 50 Years #50 Wisdoms journey. Join me as I hurtle towards 50 on the 1st of January 2020. Way back in 2011 I wrote a blog – A recipe for love for those loosing heart. At the time it helped some friends going through a tough time on the love front, and hopefully today, it will help someone needing it today too. Of course, some people thought it was bollocks back then and may now, but you know what, each to their own. Love is hard and being single (when you don’t want to be) can be hard too. When you’re in between – and possibly still hurting from the last unsuccessful encounter – time can seem endless, with no love potential popping up. It can definitely be lonely too – although time alone is very good for you. I am delighted with the year’s I had on my own. It made me stronger in my convictions, stronger in myself, and it meant I was able to get to a place of not needing anyone. That’s a good place to get too – not needing. I was single for nine years before I met Steve. I just couldn’t find a fit, but equally, someone who was capable of loving all of me just didn’t show up. When you’ve got a big personality with big dreams, you need someone who can say: awesome. I want to join that journey with you. And in response, you want to join their journey too. Anyhoo, I wanted to update this blog and bring it into my 50 Years #50Wisdoms, because I absolutely and fundamentally believe this recipe to be true. I know we are all capable of attracting the person to us that loves us in all of our glory, but we must believe it is possible, and never stop believing it. Besides, as a recipe, it’s not hard to do… well it can be if you’ve been hurt a lot in the past. It can also be hard if you’re not one keen to enter into a little mind fantasy. Back in time I never did the online dating thing. I just couldn’t believe I’d ever find anyone who’d suit me. I mean how would I even advertisemyself and if I was completely honest, would anyone worthwhile ever respond? I’m not against online dating, I just knew it wasn’t for me. Then again, this was the days pre-Tinder… Who knows how I’d feel about it now? Besides, some great friends have found love this way. I’ll never dish it. I was single from 24 to 33. During that time, I had a lot of fun. I travelled the world, lived in five different countries, loved my work, and met fabulous people everywhere I went. With all that said, the whole time I was forever hopeful that ,one day, I would meet my true love. Yes, I’m essentially a romantic at heart, BUT life is a hell of a lot better when you’ve got someone to share it all with!! They just had to be the RIGHT one. Nine years later I found him. At the grand old age of 33, here he was – the love of my life at long last – Steve. And while the years have been rocky, hard, stressful and pushed us both to our limits, we’re bound firmly together, and he continues to be everything I hoped for and a lot lot more. I truly do love him more and more every day. He’s a special one. He’s definitely my perfect match – pretty much a male version of me (as I am a female version of him) and when we met and fell in love, I realised the idea that opposites attract could be bullshit – at least for us. It was our similarities that really bound us together and continue to keep us strong – especially when it comes to our core values, morals and the importance we place on giving and keeping our word. Boy that matters to us. The boys are learning it too. Dawn the morning after our wedding… oh dear An epiphany on attracting your true love When I introduced Steve to my mates, many of them said he’s exactly what you said you always wanted. One gorgeous friend said it’s amazing, he is exactly what you’ve talked about for all these years, and you’ve found him. This lady also said she’d spent her time thinking about what she didn’t want and, guess what? She always attracted that type of person – dickheads. So it got me thinking back then, was it my focus on what I wanted that helped find him? At this time, the Law of Attraction, manifesting your life, and all of that stuff was ricocheting around the world, and I realised it could be true – maybe I was a living embodiment of it? During my single years, I never stopped thinking about the man I wanted in my life, and all through that lean times, those thoughts were always foremost in my mind. I never spent anytime thinking about what I didn’t want, mainly because I hadn’t spent anytime with dickheads anyway (I have excellent taste) but I absolutely believed that one day, he’d walk through my door. I believed it so deeply, it kept me going through all of the dodgy people streaming by. And there were so so many of them… And that is what I’m sharing here. It is the focus on what you want in your life that will result in getting what you want. I do believe it worked for me in regard to love (but for many other areas of my life too) so be patient with me here, because if it helps one person, that would be awesome. My recipe for finding true love is simple Focus on what you want – all aspects – and keep this in your mind and heart every time you

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Andrea T Edwards

Kids don’t grow up fast, they grow up suddenly

If there’s a statement every parent on the planet has heard, it’s probably: kids grow up so fast, enjoy the moments, ‘cos it’s over before you know it. The problem is, it’s never felt fast for me. In fact, it’s been excruciatingly slow most of the time. Ready for his first school camp That, of course, comes down to the challenges we’ve faced with Lexy and getting him on the right track at school and in life. Phuket was a massive move for all of us, but none more than Lex. I’ve talked about some of the challenges before, as well as the fact we’re now entering a smooth period, where both boys seem delighted in their new home. I can definitively say, it is the greatest relief of my life knowing this was the right move, not just for Lex, but for all of us. Anyhoo, I just came back from three weeks of business travel, with a short four day visit home in between. It was intense being away that much, but the boys need their dad now, and man, they could not have a better dad. Steve is awesome with the boys. A true role model of what it is to be a man today. But this weekend I noticed a BIG shift in Lex. And I mean, massive! Steve said it was because he had an awesome time at a birthday party with six boys on Saturday. I’m like OK, well that’s great… not really convinced. Don’t get me wrong, friendships have definitely been an area that is lacking for Lex over the years. Especially our last year in Singapore, when we took him out of school completely. Then at dinner on Saturday (I got home lunchtime Saturday) Lex is sitting at the table, arguing his points, being super funny, and taking control of the situation. It was absolutely mind-boggling seeing Lex this way, because he has always been easily led and dominated, especially when it comes to conversations. I’m like Steve, what the hell has happened to Lex? Where is he?? Who is this person sitting next to me? Someone so in control of themselves and assured in their ideas! It was a wonderful moment, truly wonderful and my heart is bursting with pride for this beautiful boy who has struggled so much for so long. Instructions for Tribe Two And then I’m thinking, this isn’t the impact of a few hours at a birthday party. There has to be so much more to this! And of course there is. At school, he has three amazing teachers and they are consistent with Lex – which he needs. Besides the fact Arrowsmith is exactly what Lex needed, his teachers are having a massive positive impact on his confidence, but more importantly, helping him understand how to build positive social relationships. Just this has been awesome, because he was very immature for his age when we came to Phuket. He never got the years of social interactions most kids have by 11. More important than anything though, is the relationship Lex has with his dad. It’s so important for young men, at this age, to have a strong bond with their dad or a great male role model. It sets them up for life. And as a bonus, Lex got one-on-one time with Steve all week, because Jax went off to school camp in Krabi. Lucky Jax! That time with Steve, which he made super special for Lex, was absolutely brilliant and both of them keep talking about how awesome it was! In fact, last night, Lex asked me to go away this week so Jax could have the same quality time with his dad! I kind of feel like I’m letting Jax down for just being here – sorry mate! Obviously, I’ll have to stand back and let the boys have some special time together…. And the reason Lex wants me away is it’s his turn for camp today. In fact, we just dropped him off for his first ever school camp. And get this. For the next five days, Lex and his classmates will be canoeing around Phuket Island. How cool is that? His new teacher, Kru Joel. A legend Lex was suitably nervous about camp, of course, and a lot of effort went into the preparations. Steve did an outstanding job getting it all sorted. Even a couple of historical items were packed from Steve’s younger days as a canoeist in England. Cute. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for bringing those treasures with you. We waved Lex off this morning, both feeling a bit emotional, but he hardly looked back. It’s hard for us to be totally cool with this, because we kept him protected from the real world for as long as we could. We protected him because we know kids can be unkind at this age, so if they laugh at him or pick on him, it could have a massive impact and set him back. He’s a sensitive soul our Lexy! The good news is, we’ve managed to find an environment where that isn’t the ethos of the school at all and we are expecting an even more ballsy Lex to get off the bus on Friday. Lord help us! I’ve only had the first glimpse of a ballsy Lex and this is one powerful dude we’re unleashing on the world. But I gotta say, I love it. Go Lex. You’re a bloody legend mate. Bloody kids I tell you. They don’t grow up fast, they grow up very very suddenly, and I am loving it. Yes, mummy is definitely very happy about this latest evolution. Can anyone else relate? Yours, without the bollocks Andrea Thank you for reading my ramblings. My brain and heart are a work in progress, always. I’d love a comment if it stirred any thoughts or feelings and of course, please feel free to share it with anyone you know who might be interested or entertained.

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