to ask what's the best thing that's ever happened to you?

[thisusernameismine]

Inspired by another thread with the opposite title, what are the standout moments in your life? Mine are when I was told (soon after dissertation hand in) that my tutor was going to take the research further (we are now published) and having my little girl - I'd said my whole life I didn't want kids and changed my mind just in time. She's my world. What's happened in your life that will always make you happy when you think about it?

@Northernsoullover

Getting a well paid job on the back of the degree I'm studying for. I have been a cleaner for the last ten years. 3 years ago I could only have dreamed I could earn so well.

@Northernsoullover that’s lovely, what is your job? I am thinking of retraining...

My children... nothing else even comes close. My god, do I love the little buggars!

You've made me want another

My DP - I'm very lucky. My safe shore.

Getting my current job - got me out of retail and gave me my life back.

The day my property purchase came through- my haven. After 2 disastrous previous attempts to buy. I had a home.

The day my hypnotherapist tackled my guilt induced grief akin to PTSD in severity and gave me my life back. Just in time to turn 30! I like my 30s so far!

I also agree with a Pp that sometimes things that can go wrong can be a blessing- I turned my own life over and I love where I am now and can see it was right. Wouldn't fucking go through it again though!

Leaving school early. I hated school. The rest of my life has been so much happier!!! Best decision I ever made.

Changing career from one which I could do well but didn't like and found very stressful. The new career was so much fun I often worked late simply because I was enjoying myself. My coworkers were also lovely and the boss treated us well.

One of my children had a very rocky start in life and had numerous problems which could have turned out to be quite significant disabilities. For example, as a newborn she had continuous seizures for several weeks and had to be heavily sedated because antiepileptic drugs had no effect. Later on she was blind. She didn't walk well until she was eight. One after another, nearly all of these issues cleared up completely. Now she is a teenager she has been left with only a moderate learning disability and the need to follow a special diet. I never dreamed she would do so well.

Being a foster parent. It was brief but she made a huge impact on me. She was later adopted and I truly grieved. For that reason I’ve never been able to bring myself to do it again.

@BritWifeinUSA It's really good to hear you enjoyed fostering so much. I'm unable to have children and feel so sad about it, but one day I hope to foster or adopt.

My DH. Just had our pearl wedding.

Probably lockdown as it forced me to reconsider life and actually retire early. I thought I never wanted to retire but it turns out it's quite fun

I broke the cycle of dysfunction and abuse that has plagued both sides of my family for generations, whilst I was abused, uncared for and unloved growing up, which has resulted in lifetime mental and emotional issues, I have somehow (God knows how!!) Managed to bring DD up with a set of core values I was never shown as a child.
As a child we were never liked by teaching staff, I was smelly, uncared for, Ill mannered, and difficult and my mother was either in the school screaming or simply didnt care. It's amazing to be the recipient of calls home because my daughter is so kind, lovely, hard working, helpful and obviously has support at home.
I know it sounds a bit "oh I'm an amazing mum!" I'm not, but DD is the complete opposite of what I was, and I take some pride in her being a product of the environment i have cultivated for her.

That's the best thing my life can amount to, ensuring DD and future generations have a chance because their lives have started out better

Aside from DH and our DC...

...moving to another continent and discovering for the first time in my life (in my 30s) what it was like to be accepted and liked for who I was - I belonged. I have never felt more valued, accepted and known than as a part of that community.

5 years on since we returned to the UK, and that place is still home. It has been the best of things and the worst of things because missing my friends and that sense of belonging every day is unbelievably hard.

If I could say a moment that I wanted to bottle, it would be when I first looked at DD and held her, and felt the most massive rush of love/emotion.....but I cant say that her being born was the best thing as I love my DS equally (but I didnt get the same feeling when he was born)

Aside from my 3 children, becoming a foster parent. It brought me two wonderful little girls who i love dearly.

Having my son, when all is sad and done it's only he and his health and happiness that matters to me

Apart from having my kids and marrying dh

Passing my driving test- Seems trivial, but it really made me happy.
My mum said that I was happier when I passed my driving test than I was when I passed A level exams.

@BritWifeinUSA- my aunt fostered a little boy who was eventually adopted. This was over ten years ago and she hasn’t been able to get over it. She loved that little boy, but wasn’t in the position to adopt him.

Meeting my partner and slowly falling in love and learning to trust again after a horrible previous relationship that left my self confidence non-existent.