August 19, 2026 
Hi Friends.
I haven’t been on the trail this morning because I’m still writing about our trip up to Derby last Thursday through Sunday, and actually, I think that’s quite fitting for a Wellness Wednesday. Because wellness isn’t just about walking, exercise, fitness, eating well or getting your steps in. Sometimes, wellness is about the people around us. It’s about family, friendship, laughter and making memories together. Sometimes, it’s about stepping away from the usual routine, travelling several hours up the country and surprising someone who means an awful lot to you. And sometimes, wellness is simply about being surrounded by people who remind you just how blessed you are to have them in your life.
A trip to Derby with a secret…
About a week before we went to Derby, I received a message from Bridge’s daughter, Laura. She told me that she was organising an amazing surprise 70th birthday party for her mum. Then she said something that really made me smile. She said that Bridge never shuts up about me, and she thought it would be great if I could come up to Derby and surprise her. Well… how could I possibly say no to that?
So Sarah and I packed our bags and headed up to Derby, while keeping the whole thing as secret as possible. We stayed at the Derby Mickleover Hotel, which was perfect for us because it has something particularly important for Sarah: an indoor swimming pool. Sarah absolutely loves swimming, so when we’re looking at hotels, having an indoor pool can make all the difference, as our local pools are simply too crowded and impossible for us to visit. It meant that while we were away, Sarah could still get in the pool and enjoy one of the things she loves doing…And for me, the hotel became our little base while we spent a very busy few days catching up with people.
Family time
One of the lovely things about going up to Derby was getting to see my brother Paul, his girlfriend Carrie and my niece Jess. Jess is only four years old, and spending time with her was brilliant. There’s something about being around a four-year-old that reminds you that life doesn’t have to be complicated. Everything is exciting. Everything is interesting…And sometimes the simplest things produce the biggest smiles. (Oh and I also wrote her a great Birthday song of course…Coming up in the ‘Story behind the song’ series).
I also got the chance to see my sister…
Ambber had absolutely no idea we were even in Derby! So Sarah and I decided to walk into her coffee shop completely unexpectedly and surprise her. We walked in, and there we were. Surprise…We sat down and had a bacon roll, a lovely coffee and, of course, an egg custard. So discovering one was available was never going to end well for the egg custard. 😋
An American smokehouse and old friends
We also spent some really lovely time with my best mate Rob, his girlfriend Shelley and some of their children Ella, Georgia and Mighty Mike. On Thursday evening, just after Sarah and I had arrived at the hotel, they invited us back to their house for a takeaway, which was a lovely way to start the weekend and catch up properly. On Friday evening, we all went out together to an American smokehouse, enjoying some great food, plenty of laughs and even more catching up. Then on Saturday, we headed into Derby city centre together, wandering around the shops and soaking up the atmosphere before finding some beautiful pink lilies for Bridge’s birthday party that evening.
There was something really special about spending those few days together, not just at the big birthday celebration, but in all those little moments in between – sharing food, walking around the city, laughing, chatting and simply enjoying each other’s company. Those are the moments that often become some of the best memories.
And then there was Bridge…
Of course, the whole reason for the trip was Bridge’s 70th birthday. Bridge wasn’t simply someone I knew. Twenty-six years ago, when I lost my sight, Bridge was my home help. But she became so much more than that. Those were some incredibly difficult years for me. I was in a very dark place, and there were times when I was suicidal. Bridge was there during those years. She saw me when life was very different from what it is now. She saw the struggles. She saw the darkness…And she stayed, that’s why Laura’s message meant so much to me. To hear that, all these years later, Bridge still talks about me so much that her daughter thought I should be part of her 70th birthday surprise… Well, that is something pretty special.
So I wrote her a song…
Just before the last photo, I want to tell you about the moment that, for me, brought the whole weekend together. Laura suddenly grabbed the microphone, and as the noise and laughter in the garden faded into complete silence, she called out, “Mum, I need you to listen to this song! And where is Steve?” She then told everyone that I had written a song especially for Bridge and pressed play. The music came through the very loud speaker, and suddenly there was nowhere to hide from the emotion of that moment. Laura and her sister Charlotte stood either side of their mum, each holding her close, while I stood opposite them with Sarah in my arms. Then the first verse began… and I just broke down in tears. Sarah told me afterwards that there wasn’t a dry eye anywhere in that garden. I had written every word, heard the finished song and listened to it countless times, but hearing it there, in that garden, with Bridge standing in front of me, was completely different. This wasn’t just a song anymore. This was our story.
Then, after the first chorus, Bridge came over, took me in her arms and we began to slow dance together as the song continued. We were both crying, holding onto each other as those words played around us, and I found myself thinking about everything that had happened since we first met 26 years ago. She had been there when I lost my sight. She had been there when I was in some of the darkest years of my life. And now, here we were, all these years later, dancing together at her 70th birthday party while listening to a song I’d written to tell her what she had meant to me. I’m still not quite sure why I cried because, let’s face it, I wrote the blooming song! Lol. But they were happy tears. Tears of gratitude. Tears for the memories, for the journey, for the friendship, and perhaps for the sheer realisation of how far both of us had come.
On Sunday, before we headed home, my brother Paul came to pick Sarah and me up from the hotel. He then picked up my Dad and the four of us went to the pub for Sunday lunch together. After lunch, we headed to Starbucks for a lovely coffee and a proper catch-up before Paul dropped Sarah and me off at the train station to head home. I don’t get to see my Dad very often at all, so having the chance to spend some time with him, sit together, chat and simply enjoy being in each other’s company meant a lot to me. As we said our goodbyes and Sarah and I boarded the train home, I found myself reflecting on just how full those few days in Derby had been. Family, old friends, surprises, laughter, memories and one very emotional birthday celebration. It was a weekend I’ll remember for a very long time. 😀
iChristian 
Speaking of tears, I’m here over 4000 miles away from that garden crying as I listen to the song reading about all the precious moments you experienced. Your trip to Derby and the party and all the great relational moments you had with family and friends made the trip so worthwhile. What a sweet gift from God Bridge was and Sarah is. Beautiful song, Steve. Sometimes we like to call the people in our lives our posse. Those people who look out for us and come get us when we fall and also celebrate the big moments in our lives. That group who we’d do the same thing for. We have that model from God who seeks and saves. This definitely qualifies for a Wellness Wednesday post. Cheers and blessings to you and yours.
Ellen, now you’ve gone and made me emotional all over again! 😭 To think that you’re over 4,000 miles away and sitting there crying while listening to the song and reading about that garden honestly means more to me than I can easily put into words.
I love what you said about our “posse” too. Those people who look out for us, come and get us when we fall, and celebrate with us when life gives us something worth celebrating. That’s such a beautiful description of the people God puts around us. And I think you’re right, we really do have that model in God Himself, the One who seeks us, saves us and doesn’t abandon us when life gets messy.
Bridge was certainly one of those people for me. Twenty-six years ago, she came into my life during one of the darkest chapters I had ever known, and somehow all these years later we were standing in a garden together, crying, laughing and slow dancing to a song I’d written for her. There are some moments you simply couldn’t make up if you tried.
And Sarah… well, she’s been part of my “posse” for an awful lot of years too! 😂❤️ She has stood beside me through the difficult stuff, the adventures, the music, the photography, the walking, the crazy ideas and everything in between.
So yes, I think Wellness Wednesday was exactly the right place for this story. Wellness isn’t just about what we do for our bodies. Sometimes it’s about the people God gives us, the relationships that sustain us, and the memories we make together.
Thank you for listening to the song, Ellen, and for sharing in the emotion of it from 4,000 miles away. Now I’m just wondering how many tissues you went through! 😂🙏❤️
This tribute is so tender and beautiful. Thank you for giving back to Bridge and sharing this special song with us.
Thank you so much, Sue. That really means a lot to me. It was such a deeply personal moment, and I think the fact that I was able to share Bridge’s story, and what she meant to me, through a song made it even more special.
I’m so grateful that God allowed our paths to cross all those years ago, and that 26 years later we could celebrate her 70th birthday together. Some relationships really do become part of the story God is writing with our lives. I’m just thankful I got to give something back to Bridge after all she gave to me. ❤️
Such a tender, sweet story.
You love people well, my friend. You journey with others mindfully and intentionally. What an amazing time to share a little time with friends and family, as well as have a chance to bless a woman who has meant so much to you for the past 26 years. Life is meant to be lived in community. It makes it so much more wonderful when others share moments with us. I’m glad you and Sarah had such a marvelous time.
Thanks Dayle. That really means a lot to me.
I think you’re absolutely right about life being meant to be lived in community. That weekend was such a wonderful reminder of that. It wasn’t just the big birthday celebration either. It was all those little moments with Sarah, family and friends, the meals, the laughs, surprising Amber at her coffee shop, spending time with Dad, and simply being together.
And yes, I think Laura knew exactly what she was doing when she decided I needed to be there! 😂 I’m incredibly grateful she did. Seeing Bridge’s reaction and then having that moment dancing together while my song played was something I’ll never forget.
You’re right too about people. We don’t always realise just how much someone has shaped our lives until we stop and look back. I’m very blessed to have had Bridge in my story for the last 26 years, and even more blessed that Sarah was beside me through almost all of it. ❤️
What a lovely time you had with family and friends. Bridge is truly a bridge from the past to the fulfillment of the joy in life. What a special time to celebrate her and have family time, along with enjoying your dad. Thank you for sharing this special time, Steve.
Thank you so much, Hazel. That really means a lot to me. I absolutely loved the way you described Bridge as a “bridge from the past to the fulfillment of joy in life.” That is such a beautiful way of putting it, and actually sums up a huge part of what this weekend meant to me.
And here’s something funny… I didn’t even make that connection myself until I started creating the artwork for the song! 😂 I suddenly realised that Bridge had literally been a bridge between one of the darkest periods of my life and where I am today. Twenty-six years ago she was there when I was struggling after losing my sight, and 26 years later I was standing in that garden with her, celebrating her 70th birthday. It was only when I was working on the artwork that I thought, “Hang on… Bridge… a bridge from then to now!” Lol.
There was something incredibly special about being able to look back at where life was all those years ago and then find myself there with her again, surrounded by family and friends, listening to a song I’d written especially for her. And having Dad there on Sunday made the whole weekend even more special.
Sometimes we don’t realise just how precious those relationships are until moments like this come along. I’m so grateful Laura decided I needed to be there! 🙏 😀
Thank you for sharing further, Steve. Your ability to celebrate with Bridge, family, and friends, truly made this a special time, enhanced by precious relationships.
We do not know what the future will bring but we know we have a Heavenly Father, who loves us and redeems the dark times of the past. Bridge helped you through the great time of loss and darkness.
What really struck me was how your creative talent has been redeemed, despite your lack of physical sight. You have warm relationships, with Bridge and many others. You are a musician, composer, artist creating beautiful illustrations for the songs you write, sing, and produce., Also, a talented award winning photographer. A writer, long distance walker, who makes goals and fulfills them, coming back from injury. In the mix, you are a long term wonderful husband to Sarah, brother, son, friend, follower of Christ, worshipper of God, and so many other things that you would have never imagined, when you lost your physical sight. You have gained sight and insight, in relationships that matter most.
It is truly remarkable what God has done in your life, Steve! 😎 Rejoicing with you, Hazel
Hazel, I honestly don’t quite know what to say to this. Thank you.
Your words about God redeeming the dark times of the past really touched me, because when I think back to where I was 26 years ago, I could never have imagined the life I would eventually have. Losing my sight changed everything, and there were certainly years when I couldn’t see any purpose in what had happened or imagine that anything good could come from it.
And yet, looking back now, I can see things I couldn’t see then. Bridge was part of God’s provision for me during one of the darkest chapters of my life, and she helped me get through a time when I genuinely didn’t know where my life was going. Then, all these years later, I’m standing in her daughters garden at her 70th birthday, surrounded by people I love, holding Sarah and listening to a song I had written for Bridge. That’s quite a journey.
What you said about my creativity being redeemed despite my lack of physical sight really struck me too. I sometimes still find it funny that I became a photographer after losing my sight! 😂 But God has a rather wonderful sense of humour. Photography, music, songwriting, artwork, writing and walking have all become parts of my life that I never could have predicted.
And Sarah… yes. She has been right there through all of this too. She’s not just my wife; she’s been part of the journey through the difficult years, the adventures, the music, the walking, the crazy ideas and everything in between. I certainly wouldn’t be the man I am today without her.
I love that you said, “You have gained sight and insight, in relationships that matter most.” That is a beautiful way of putting it. My physical sight was taken away, but God has opened my eyes to things that perhaps I would never have understood otherwise.
I don’t pretend to understand everything God has done, or why some things happened the way they did. But I can look back and say that He has been faithful. The darkness wasn’t the end of my story.
Thank you for celebrating that with me, Hazel. Your words have genuinely encouraged me. 🙏😀
It is my honor to celebrate with you, Steve and encourage you. Your life is a testament to the redemption of our wonderful loving God. He takes our brokenness and turns it around to something wonderful. John 10:10 “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”
🙏😄