Amanda became a mum to Andraya in 2013 after welcoming her as an emergency foster placement at just two years old. Although it was meant to be a short-term arrangement, Andraya quickly became part of the family — it felt right from the very beginning, and their bond grew stronger with each passing day.
Andraya, now 17, is a confident, bubbly young woman who takes pride in her Filipino-Scottish heritage. Amanda has always made it a priority to nurture that part of her identity — whether through cooking traditional dishes together or, more recently, their trip to the Philippines in 2024. There, they met Andraya’s cousins for the very first time, creating bonds that quickly felt natural and lasting. Those connections didn’t end when the trip did; through regular contact and shared stories, Andraya’s family ties now stretch across continents, linking generations in a way that continues to shape and strengthen her sense of self.
Amanda’s adoption journey didn’t stop there, as she had always dreamed of expanding her family, and in 2016 that dream came to life when she adopted Isaac, then 19 months old, who has Congolese-Welsh heritage. Bursting with energy, wit, and a cheeky streak, Isaac brought a new layer of joy and unpredictability into their lives. Amanda lovingly refers to him as her “little tornado” a force of nature who rules the house and who has taught her more about patience and love than she ever thought possible.
What makes their story even more special is the setting: Amanda still lives in the house where she grew up. Once filled with the laughter, noise, and bustle of her dad and brothers, those same walls now carry the sound of her own family’s life. For Amanda, the house is more than just a building — it’s a thread that ties her past to her present. While once it was a place of playful chaos, she now finds it surprisingly grounding and comforting, a steady backdrop to all the changes in her life. She wouldn’t trade it for a bigger or flashier place; for her, it has always been about the moments, and the memories built inside.
“One of the traditions we started when Andraya was younger was baking red velvet cupcakes together, and now it’s become our little ritual — something we return to whenever we need a moment of calm or connection. These days, Isaac loves to join in too, usually stirring with one hand and sneaking icing with the other. It’s more than just cupcakes; it’s our way of checking in, laughing, and remembering how far we’ve come. That simple act, time and again, reminds me that love is built in the everyday moments — and those are the ones that truly matter.”
*names might have been changed to protect identity