From the very beginning of their relationship, Craig and Daniel knew they wanted to become parents one day. But before taking the leap, they made sure their home was ready and that they were in the best place emotionally and practically to give everything to the journey ahead.
Once they felt prepared, they attended an information session with Adoption in Merseyside (AiM). “What drew us to AiM was that they’re part of the local authority,” Daniel explained. “That connection means they work directly with children who already have adoption plans, which can make the process smoother and more direct.”
Still, they had their concerns.
We were a bit nervous about how we’d be seen as a gay couple, Craig admitted. “But the moment we met our social worker, those fears disappeared. She made us feel completely accepted and understood from day one
Over time, their relationship with their social worker grew into something more than professional. “We ended up becoming good friends — it was such a safe, open process,” said Daniel. “The sessions went deep into our pasts and values. We talked about things we hadn’t really spoken about before. Honestly, it felt like free therapy — in the best way.”
Craig and Daniel chose to follow the Foster for Adoption (FFA) route — a pathway where prospective adopters begin as foster carers, allowing babies or very young children to be placed earlier in their lives. “It’s a route everyone is encouraged to consider, but it does come with risks. Still, we knew it was right for us.”
Their daughter came to live with them at just nine weeks old.
“She was classed as a looked-after child, so we had daily logs to complete and fulfilled all the roles of a foster carer. But from the moment we saw her profile, we just knew — she was meant to be our daughter,” Craig said. “The matching panel came quickly after, and before we had time to fully take it in, she was home. It all happened fast, but it felt completely right.”
Those first few months were quiet and tender — mostly spent feeding, napping, and changing nappies. “Because she was so young, we couldn’t really do much, but it gave us time to settle and adjust,” Daniel said. “Bonding took a little longer than we expected, which can be hard to admit. But there was a moment, when she went to get her jabs, and she reached out to us for comfort — it was then we realised… she trusted us. That was the turning point.”
One of their most treasured memories was the day they got married. “She was there with us, right in the heart of it. Honestly, she stole the show — and we wouldn’t have had it any other way. That was the moment it really hit us: we were a family.”
Family continues to be at the core of everything they do. “Having our parents involved, going on days out together — our support network means everything to us,” said Craig. “They’ve been there through it all, and that kind of emotional and practical support is so important.”
Today, their daughter is growing fast. “She’s started saying ‘Daddy’ now — and every time she says it, it just melts us. We can’t imagine life without her.”
Daniel smiled, “We left our old lives behind to build a new one. Becoming parents has been the most rewarding, transformative experience — and we wouldn’t change a single thing.”
