Feeling Loved and Recognised: The Moments That Matter

Yesterday, I was reminded of the incredible power of love and recognition—two things that often go hand in hand but can have a profound impact individually. My husband attended a Dad La Soul event, a space where fathers come together to connect, share, and support one another. While he was there, he met Dan, someone I hadn’t met personally but who knew about the work I’ve been doing.

Dan took the time to say hi and shared that he was impressed with my work. It was a simple yet deeply touching gesture, and in that moment, I felt something that goes beyond recognition—I felt love.

Love in the Form of Support

When my husband came home and told me about his day, I saw how much he believed in me. It wasn’t just Dan’s words that made an impact; it was my husband’s excitement as he recounted the conversation. His support reminded me of how much love is woven into this journey.

The work I do—writing, advocating, and sharing my story—comes from a deeply personal place. It’s rooted in my experiences as a premature baby, a grieving twin, a mother of a premature baby, and someone navigating life with neurodiversity. It’s not always easy, but my family, and my husband especially, are my anchors.

Their love gives me the courage to be vulnerable, to share the hard parts of my story, and to keep creating resources for parents who might feel alone.

Recognition as a Form of Love

When Dan said he was impressed with my work, it wasn’t just about acknowledging my efforts—it felt like a moment of connection. To know that someone sees and values what you’re

Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved?

Published by Laura Johnstone

Hi I'm Laura. In 2023 I had a very traumatic pregnancy and in turn had a planned premature baby at 32 weeks (we had been told to expect anything from 23 weeks). With multiple visits to specialist hospitals in Southampton and London we went through a journey. Consequently I am wanting to help others that were in my position as well as talk about different and sometimes difficult parenting issues.

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