When I got engaged, I converted to all the bridal magazines available; as a young married, I enjoyed titles such as “Family Circle” and “For Me”.

Pregnancy and motherhood brought me more joy - I discovered “Parents”, “Mother and Baby” and the like!

It seemed whatever life stage I was at, there was a magazine to suit.

As a stay at home Mum, I once again picked up my hobby of letter writing. Being somewhat isolated at home with children, finding a cheery letter in the mailbox and being able to express myself on paper proved to be my sanity savers!

Then in September 1997 I went on a church ladies camp with my friend Joanne, and we were able to relax and enjoy a good long yak, without any kids interrupting! I had continued with my magazine addiction all these years, although I was much more likely to get my magazines from the library than the newsagent as we were on a very tight budget.

Joanne and I began talking about how none of the magazines on the market was quite right for us. As happily married women, we weren’t interested in the promiscuous outlook of some magazines – you know the ones, with headlines like “Could you be laughed into bed?”; “I slept with my boss!”; “Get sexy for summer!”; “Why men love women who make the first move!” Puh-leeze!

Neither of us believed in the astrology, numerology and clairvoyant type columns which were becoming increasingly popular. Celebrity gossip was okay (love the pictures of their glamourous outfits!), but there had to be something more!

What about real women in real situations? There were a couple of mags on the market that we enjoyed, but at the same time, we didn’t feel that there was something that quite hit the spot for us as Christian women.

Even the Christian magazines we’d seen weren’t quite right. Most were American – a completely different culture to ours, and we just couldn’t relate; or they pushed a particular wheelbarrow and were very dogmatic; from a particular church; or they were very heavy going, full of theology and Bible study. That’s not what a magazine is about! A magazine should be light and entertaining, we felt, yet somehow inspiring and uplifting!

Joanne and I wished there was something Australian, that was positive and uplifting and balanced, that addressed the issues we faced as women going into a new millennium, yet at the same time, just a good read!

Be careful what you wish for – because I can remember suddenly sitting up and saying to Jo, “Hey, I really love to write. Maybe I should be the one to do something about this need, one day!” She thought it was a great idea and something very special was conceived …