I first saw Aminah's story on Australian story and was captivated by what a nice outcome it had. How I Met Your Father, however, is a much more in-depth account of Aminah's long and sometimes sad road to motherhood and the happy family she always desired.
Raised in Melbourne by a single mother and adoring grandparents, Aminah had a happy home life, although her childhood was marred by racism at her primary school. Although she didn't lack love from her mother and grandparents, Aminah always yearned to know her West Indian father and sought to find him when she moved to London on a working holiday. Sadly she learned he had died not long before, however she did discover a half sister and other extended family who welcomed her with open arms.
Raised in Melbourne by a single mother and adoring grandparents, Aminah had a happy home life, although her childhood was marred by racism at her primary school. Although she didn't lack love from her mother and grandparents, Aminah always yearned to know her West Indian father and sought to find him when she moved to London on a working holiday. Sadly she learned he had died not long before, however she did discover a half sister and other extended family who welcomed her with open arms.
Amina enjoyed the London lifestyle for many years, eventually marrying in her early 30s and excitedly awaiting the birth of her first child. Then in a short space of time it all went so wrong, with a rare disease stealing her much loved son Marlon. Devastatingly history repeated itself when the same disease took the life of her second son Louis. Despite such devastating heartbreak Aminah picked herself up and started moving forward in her life again, albeit with a heavy burden of sorrow.
By her early forties Aminah was living back in Australia, single and desperate to have one last try for motherhood. Deciding to use an anonymous sperm donor, she chose the profile of a man who stood out amid the pieces of paper she sifted through. Ecstatic to become pregnant, she went on to deliver a healthy baby girl. Although happy enough as a single mother, Aminah decided to track down her sperm donor when her daughter was two, so they could meet. Donor dad Scott agreed. What neither of expected was that they would fall in love.
How I Met Your Father is a wonderful memoir and is the ultimate back to front love story. It was not hard to connect with Aminah and follow her journey. Knowing that there was a happy ending made the very sad moments easier to digest, however my heart did break for Aminah as she endured such devastating loss twice. All in all though, How I Met Your Father is an uplifting book that goes to show life can deliver the most delightful of surprises when you least expect it.
By her early forties Aminah was living back in Australia, single and desperate to have one last try for motherhood. Deciding to use an anonymous sperm donor, she chose the profile of a man who stood out amid the pieces of paper she sifted through. Ecstatic to become pregnant, she went on to deliver a healthy baby girl. Although happy enough as a single mother, Aminah decided to track down her sperm donor when her daughter was two, so they could meet. Donor dad Scott agreed. What neither of expected was that they would fall in love.
How I Met Your Father is a wonderful memoir and is the ultimate back to front love story. It was not hard to connect with Aminah and follow her journey. Knowing that there was a happy ending made the very sad moments easier to digest, however my heart did break for Aminah as she endured such devastating loss twice. All in all though, How I Met Your Father is an uplifting book that goes to show life can deliver the most delightful of surprises when you least expect it.
