When one is undergoing IVF, it is imperative that one has contact with people who understand what you are going through. I was lucky enough to meet these two fabulous ladies-amongst many beauties-online during my first tenuous attempts. We made each other laugh and we provided shoulders to cry on. Nobody else understood our acronyms, such as epu and tww. Nobody else could get a take on how emotions could swing from giggles and sweetness to unadulterated rage in moments. Louise came and visited me when I had endometriosis surgery in 2007. My daughter was a newborn when Lou came to my door with flowers and food. She had never seen me in person before, and here she was, feeding me lunch whilst I stumbled to the living room, clad in pyjamas with wild hair. That is the gift of friends, isn’t it? You don’t need to put on an act, nor window dress. When someone can see that far into your eyes as to obtain your soul, what’s the point? We can say anything, and none of us bat an eyelid.

We have laughed about ridiculous things, and gasped in wonder at each other’s life events. One of these ladies has a dog who has been uncovered to be a hermaphrodite. It only makes the little dog more unique in our eyes. They came over with their hard-won families and we hung out for several hours. I was happy listening to their chatter, bursting in with occasional mirth at how absurd the conversation was. They walked with me through the hell that is infertility, and I am so glad that they are in my life.

We are planning adventures for later this year. Australia, you have been warned!