My faithful friend.

As I went into my cold bathroom this morning I pondered over my white toweling bathrobe. It was given to me by my mum on my 18th birthday, 20 years ago. A strange birthday present, I know but something I really wanted. It didn't come from anywhere exotic, just NEXT, but it must have been made well as here we are 20 years later.

This bathrobe has seem me through the most important years of my life: my first serious boyfriend, university, my first proper job, my "first-time" buyer flat. It was with me when I met my future husband, when he moved in with me, when we married. I wore it through two pregnancies, I wore it when I came home with my new sons and when I nursed them. I've cried in it, relaxed in it, moved countries in it.

In many ways I could see it as a lucky charm. I have certainly been blessed with good luck and happiness since the day we met.

It shows no signs of letting me down. I think we will be together for many years to come.

I wonder what the future holds for me and my bathrobe. May the happy days continue.