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My husband, Richee, and I are both in our mid-thirties. I work for the NHS and Richee is a film-maker and we both live in Queensbury in West Yorkshire, with our pets and our son, Roman.

But it hasn't always been this way.

Six years ago, we had a difficult discussion about starting a family - I was desperate to be a mum.

Although wanting to be a parent, Richee was by his own admission "just not a baby person".

We wrestled with this conundrum for a while, and discussed adoption as a way of starting a family. We realised that it fit so well with our values and we decided to pursue it.

But the early stages were difficult.

At our initial information evening we were told by a social worker that we couldn't pursue adoption at that time as I was on anti-depressant medication.

But, after some careful persuasion (read 'indignant complaining'), the adoption agency came to realise that taking medication for a mental illness shouldn't necessarily be treated as different to taking medication for any other physical condition, and allowed us to start the process of adoption.

We were assigned a social worker, and we began a six-month process of delving into every aspect of ourselves; our childhoods, our relationships, our beliefs, values and attachment styles.

At the end of that process we went, along with our report, to an adoption approval panel.

After a few questions, they approved us as adopters, but the process of seeking an adoption match was slow.

We were given summaries and pictures of children which gave little information on which to make decisions - it all felt very superficial.

We had a false start during this time; we were pursuing a match with a little girl when her birth parents moved to a nearby area, meaning the placement would have been unsafe.

We were heartbroken and frustrated.

Eventually, we asked to access the national adoption register and we attended an exchange day in London.

Adoption agencies often place children on the national register when they may be perceived as more difficult to find parents for - often older children, and those with behavioural or developmental issues.

It was at this exchange day that we saw Roman's profile, and chatted with his social worker.

He enjoyed drumming and music (Richee is a drummer!) and he liked cats (we have 2 cats!).

We asked to see his Child Permanence Report to find out more about his life - and the rest is well, history!

We were approved as a match with Roman in December 2014, and he came to live with us following a short introduction period in January 2015, aged 5.

Roman is now 9 years old, and full of joy and fun.

Whilst there is no doubt that his early experiences have affected his development both physically and emotionally, he is coming to terms with his reality with extraordinary bravery and insight.

As his parents, we have fought hard to make sure he receives the right support for his needs, and at times those decisions have been difficult.

Finding a school that understands the unique challenges and needs of adopted children is important, and taking the decision to move Roman to a new school following a series of bad experiences was a tough choice as it meant more upheaval (fortunately it was the right choice!).

We have received excellent support from the local CAMHS team and through post-adoption support for Roman, allowing us to access therapies and assessments to better understand his individual needs, although sometimes the system can feel quite fragmented!

Adoption has been, and continues to be, a huge adventure for all of us and I wouldn't change our family for the world.