“Hey Mum and Dad” I shouted eagerly one August day in 1994. “You’ll never guess what? … I’m going to Glasgow University to study Theology!” It must have come as quite a revelation (no pun intended) especially as I do not come from a religious background, had never been to Glasgow before and was currently living about 450miles away in a sunny coastal town in Essex. I was never a particularly rebellious child and I figured that was the best I could come up with as I hurtled towards my 19^th birthday.

Thankfully, my parents supported my decision despite everyone else that I knew having some reservations about it. “You’ll get homesick; it is so far away; you’ll get mugged (too many episodes of Taggart helped formulate that one) and perhaps the most misconceived idea of all “how can you like it there … it’s Scotland and heaven forbid Glasgow!” Perhaps they would have been less objectionable if it has been Edinburgh.  Quite...

I seemed to be surrounded by people who thought I was embarking on an adventure to the moon but 12 years later I am still here only since my arrival at Glasgow Central with several rucksacks and emotional parents I have gained a ’native’ husband and have become a parent myself.

 I love it here. I find it hard to explain to people why here feels like home. I have settled into West Lothian life quite well since we moved here in 2004 but cliché as it sounds “my heart belongs to Glasgow.” I love the country and its people. The South seems more alien as I absorb all things Scottish. I know some think I am perhaps neglecting my English roots but every time my train crosses over the Clyde and I disembark at Glasgow Central I know it is where I am meant to be.

 I can't think of anything I don't like about being here - Hey, we have "Chewin' the Fat" which has me in stitches plus I don't need subtitles so I must be morphing into a native.

It is like being in another world despite only being 100 miles from the border and 450 miles away from ‘home.’

Things changed on the 1^st July 2003 when Cameron was born. I am an only child and suddenly my parents are Grandparents – miles away from my husband and I and our new arrival. We have no other family here and most of our University friends have settled elsewhere so we are a family of three.

The early days were hard hard work. Hubbie and I could have counted on one hand the amount of interaction we had had with babies and we were just totally exhausted and it seemed void of support. I was more tired than I could imagine after a long and complicated labour and then trying to establish breastfeeding. As the weeks progressed there was talk of Post Natal Depression.

I was envious – totally and utterly envious of those people who had their Mums living just round the corner or a short drive away. I would have given anything to swap places with them. Just someone who could come and give me a break for 5 minutes whilst I could sleep or sit with a coffee.

 You learn to get on with things on your own though it is hard. In some respects it has strengthened my relationship with my husband as we have overcome the hurdles one is faced with during the first 3 years of a child’s life. On the other hand it puts pressure on you to as you don’t have a ready babysitter or many opportunities to take time out as a couple or even time out to be alone.

 Where we go Cameron goes and visa versa. Everything we do Cameron has to do to because there is no-one who can just ‘help out.’

 That perhaps sounds very morbid and full of self pity but my parents have a wonderful relationship with their Grandson despite being so far away. Perhaps it is a novelty factor that would wear off if he saw them all the time. Cameron loves them more than I can put into words. He talks to them daily on the phone – more so if he wants to as I never refuse his request – and my Mum and I web-cam every evening round about bath-time so that they can see each other. We are doing the best we can so that each can enrich the life of the other.

 I grew up living next-door to my Grandma before I moved away to Scotland. I saw her all the time and we had a great relationship. My Grandma passed away before Cameron was born but I treasure the time I spent with her and all the things she taught me and despite the distance I want my son to grow up knowing his family.

 Distance can lead to happy memories. I will never forget last year when we went to meet my Mum at the station in Edinburgh. She stood about 150m away waving at Cameron. He scrambled out of my arms as quick as he could and ran for all he was worth towards her as she frantically waved at him. It was like something out of a movie. He ran and ran and then she swept him up and spun him round and he just smiled like you have never seen!!

 I guess the whole point of this article was for me to try and put into perspective, especially on a day like today when I have been having to deal with a trying toddler and irate husband that I made all these choices in my life and I am happy.

 I do still envy all of you with your family close by and how nice it must be to get those extra pair of hands once in a while but c’est la vie. Cameron has the excitement of another Easy-Jet flight to Stansted in a couple of months to look forward to which he wouldn’t get if Mum and Dad were just down the road. I then get to witness once again the overwhelming excitement and joy in his face as he is reunited with his Grandma and Grandad.