Tracy and Giulio have been together for over 17 years. After marrying in 2014, they hoped to grow their family but faced challenges conceiving biologically. In 2019, they turned to adoption, and just before the first lockdown in 2020, they were approved. Though there were some bumps in the road, in 2023 they were matched with their son — a moment that changed everything.
Now, their house is a home — full of life and bursting with energy. Toys, music, laughter and the occasional tantrum fills the space. What was once a quiet, orderly house is now a joyful, chaotic haven of constant laundry, bedtime stories, and love.
Giulio treasures the sound of their son’s little voice each morning: ‘Hi Daddy, Weetabix and milk,’ followed by, ‘Up Daddy!’ Together, they open the curtains, wrap him in his tiny dressing gown, and head downstairs for breakfast — a cherished routine.
The kitchen is their hub – a space filled with cooking, music, dancing, and laughter. The table doubles as a craft station for T’s creative (and often messy) moments, and he especially loves helping make pesto from scratch — captivated by the whizz of the bright green sauce in the blender and carefully loading up the jar. The living room holds deep significance too: it’s where life-changing conversations took place and where they met their son’s foster carer —
now a close friend. It was the first space they truly felt like a family.
They’re grateful for the support they received — from family, friends, other adoptive families, and especially their social worker, who helped guide them through the process and ultimately matched them with their son.
“You’ll never feel completely ready to be a parent — but if your heart is open to it, don’t hold back. There’s no perfect setup — just love, patience and resilience. Our home may not be the biggest, but it’s full of warmth, joy, and enough love to go around – and that’s what truly matters.”
*names might have been changed to protect identity