Pick Me Up! Special December 2019

As much as we try to plan the days, weeks, and even months ahead, sometimes fate jumps in to throw a spanner in the works. We can either see these surprises as a bad omen, or simply good luck! What are the chances of being injured just before your wedding day? Nikki (pg18) knows all about that. When her hen do took a dramatic turn, she could have easily called the whole thing off. But instead, she chose to break with tradition and make the most of it! Jess (pg22) waited nine long months to hold her baby, but when he was finally born, she was shocked at what she saw. Baby Kaiden’s condition was extremely rare and would change his life forever, but to Jess, that just made him…

Tourists for a night My boyfriend and I decided to be tourists in our own city and explore Bristol! We went for a drink and a walk at the suspension bridge, it was lush. Jennifer, Bristol How funny!  Why don't you ever see Santa in hospital? Because he has private elf care! Never too cold Who said it's too cold for ice-cream? I loved this blackcurrant flavour! Harriet, Plymouth Date night My husband and I spontaneously went to a local Thai restaurant when the kids were out one evening. We had the best food and chill time! Elena, London Weekend away The gorgeous scenery in Brixham harbour in Devon. L. Marshall, Somerset Lift off My dad did a skydive for his birthday! This is the plane about to take…

In the wild Ozzy loved exploring the countryside, he was in his element! Bella, Wales Best friend Ruby makes every chore so much harder and longer, but I wouldn’t change her for the world! Georgia, South Gloucestershire Out for the count Zoe was knackered after playing in the garden! I definitely know how to tire her out. Taylor, Surrey Play ball The best rugby player in the town! Willow loves running around with her new favourite toy. Lily, Portishead…

Hearing a knock at the door, I knew who was on the other side and raced to open it. ‘Are you coming out to play?’ my friend Rebecca McManus, then 10, smiled. ‘Yep,’ I replied, matching her happy grin. Beccy and I had met in Reception class, aged five, and had become instant best friends. We only lived two roads apart, and were always knocking for each other. Time passed and Beccy and I went from playing with skipping ropes and dolls to helping each other with maths revision and liquid eyeliner. But we stayed so close through it all. And I knew we always would. First jobs, getting married, becoming mums… Whatever life threw at us, I knew we’d tackle it side by side. When we were 18, we…

Flopping onto my sofa, I pulled my iPad on to my lap and helped myself to another slice of pizza. It was late 2016 and this was my second greasy takeaway of the day. Yet I still wasn’t full. I’d always struggled with my weight, even as a kid. As a child I’d realised I was transgender – a woman trapped in a man’s body. I kept it to myself and the secret ate away at me. So, I started to comfort eat. By the time I was 18, I had reached 18st. Desperate to shed the pounds, I’d tried lots of diets. In summer 2008, with the support of my friends Claire, then 40, and Kimberley, 30, I began hormone treatment and started living as a woman. I wore…

Walking into the cinema in Reidsville, North Carolina, I was on another chaperone job. I was with my little sister Hannah, 13, and her boyfriend, Brian Minter, also 13. But luckily, I wasn't chaperoning the two of them alone. Brian's older brother, Ben, 19 was also with us. ‘They're very sweet together,' I admitted to Ben one night. Although it wasn't the best thing in the world – making sure my little sister and her boyfriend didn't get up to any funny business – Ben was good company to be around. Coincidentally, we'd actually been speaking on MySpace before we found out that our siblings were dating. It was 2007 and soon, the four of us got in a good routine. We'd all go to the cinema or bowling together.…