Love story: I fell in love with my daughter's father two years after she was born

When a casual fling led to a surprise pregnancy, Tessa Dijkgraaf told father-to-be Jordan not to "come in and out" and break their daughter's heart. He opted out, but around Memphis's second birthday, Tessa got a phone call that changed everything.

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I fell pregnant from the first night Jordan and I were together, but obviously didn't find out for several weeks.

In that time, we had become such good friends. There was definitely something there. We could get deep and honest with each other.

However, we had both recently come out of long-term relationships and neither one of us was looking to have our hearts broken again. So instead, we kept it casual.

When I found out I was pregnant after being so sick, I walked into my best friend's house in tears, throwing the pregnancy stick on the table.

I was in shock and had that feeling of having to tell this person I had a really great friendship with that this had happened and I knew it wasn't his plan.

But I was having this baby. And he left that situation.

When Memphis was born, it changed my life. She was the best thing to have ever happened.

That made me reflect on what I was doing. And if I wasn't going to accept certain behaviours for her, why would I accept them for myself?

I got really good at setting boundaries for the both of us.

I never thought I would hear from him again

When Jordan did contact me, I was shocked.

He was just saying, 'I've been talking to my friends about this and they're really encouraging to get back in contact. I'm in a good place now'.

I was fearful. The idea of him coming in and then leaving Memphis makes me feel sick even thinking about it.

But I was also feeling excited and hopeful for her to have her father in her life.

We took it really slowly. Every couple of weeks we would catch up at the park or go to the museum.

I wasn't just going to drop her off with him. She didn't know him, and I didn't really know him either.

She would run around and we would talk and catch up on life.

The waters were murky at times, but through our original friendship, one that was built on trust and care and honesty, we got through it.

We quickly fell back into being really good friends.

I don't know how long it was, or who even initiated it, but I think one of us said something like, 'Why don't we go grab a drink sometime?'

It just felt so nice

Memphis was obviously the catalyst for getting back together, but we were also two single people that kind of really loved each other.

It all just felt very light and easy.

Before him, I used to think a relationship meant being on a rollercoaster: fighting and intensity.

I had my guard up to make sure he and Memphis were good, but I saw him in a different light.

I would catch him doing something with her, like changing her nappy or laughing with her, and it just made me feel so nice.

We have a child together and how amazing is she?

I'm so glad I allowed him in

Even though I was scared at first, I thought thank goodness I did allow it to happen, because there is no-one in this world that I would trust more for myself and Memphis.

I know he loves us so much.

Our family has grown, and not just by one person. Memphis now has brothers and sisters and grandparents that often fill our home with laughter, warmth and family love.

We moved from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast as a family in 2022.

We have a business together, I also have another business, and we homeschool Memphis as well.

So life is busy.

But we are just so comfortable and happy. We accept each other completely for who we are.

I would say that Jordan and I both already loved each other and we just didn't realise it.

We just had such a deep connection so quickly when we first met.

Now we get to create all of these fun and happy memories for our child, but together.