Two Friends, Two Birthdays Ten Years Apart – and a Book That Finally Found Its Moment.
This March, my gorgeous long-time friend came to soak up the Gozo sun with me as we celebrated our birthdays—just like we did exactly ten years ago.
The twist? Back then, I was just passing through. This time, Gozo is home. And this year, we weren’t just celebrating another lap around the sun—we were toasting to growth, friendship, and a creative project ten years in the making…
Born three years and two days apart, Faye and I are Piscean sisters with an extraordinary connection spanning 26 years. Our friendship has withstood time, distance, and all of life’s wild twists. We’ve shown up for each other, come hell or high water, with unwavering love, laughter, and regular reality checks. Cut from the same cloth, we’ve danced through the highs, held space through the lows, and reminded each other—time and time again—what it means to truly live, create, and grow as human beings.
Our friendship doesn’t just weather storms—it dances in the rain, finds magic in the mess, and proves, without a doubt, that some connections are simply meant to be.
Let me set the scene.
Back in 2015, on a birthday trip to Malta, we had an idea to write a book sparked by one simple question:
“If you were ten years younger and could give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?”
You know those projects that begin with the best intentions, full of excitement and creative flow, and then somehow get tucked away in a drawer—gathering dust while life continues to unfold?
This was one of those.
Interestingly, that question became more than just a conversation starter over that special weekend—it opened doors. Try it yourself. It sparks genuine curiosity about people’s stories, reflections, and lessons learned.
We spent that whole weekend writing wherever we were—by the sea, in cafés, on the Gozo ferry—jotting down ideas, shaping thoughts, and pouring our hearts onto paper.
We asked the question to strangers in bars, waiters in restaurants, even people passing us in the street. Needless to say, what began as a casual musing between two friends quickly turned into a kind of social experiment.
People opened up in surprising ways. Some laughed. Some paused—genuinely stumped by the simplicity and depth of the question. There was something universal in it. Regardless of background, age, or culture, everyone had something meaningful to say.
At one point, we decided to get a tattoo (as you do), and it turned into quite the moment at Familee Tattoo in Mellieħa. There was an immediate connection with our tattooist, Guy—proof, once again, of how powerful one heartfelt question can be. The conversation flowed so effortlessly that he ended up inviting us to his home in Gozo to meet his lovely partner Lucy and… well, that’s another story.
Looking back, that was probably the moment I first fell in love with the island. Little did I know that, ten years later, I’d be living here.
By the end of the weekend, we had pages of scribbled notes and a burning realisation that this could be something much bigger than just a passing idea. That question—so simple, yet so powerful—became the seed of a book we knew we had to write.
Our intention was to create a book that would feel at home on a bedside table. A gift you could pick up and open randomly, any day, any time. Something you could give to a loved one, a sibling, a child. A “flick-through-when-you-need-it” kind of book that would slam-dunk game-changing advice into your lap and remind you there’s always another way to look at things.
The pages would be filled with guidance, counsel, thought-provoking quips, journal prompts, and joy—all the timeless wisdom we ourselves have lived, learned, and no doubt shared at some point.
And its purpose?
To help guide us through this sticky, beautiful thing called life with humour, grace, and wisdom. Advice you can take daily, that doesn’t grow old, and keeps things… well, real.
Introducing: Daily Reminders For Keeping It Real.
Fast forward ten years on and it was the morning of Faye’s birthday. I woke her with a coffee and the gift of a book - wrapped in love and the very essence of our friendship.
The book we wrote together, exactly ten years ago to the day.
Although it’s been ten years in the making, every single word written in Daily Reminders For Keeping It Real, still holds up. We’ve navigated families, careers, life shifts, hairstyles, dance floors, adventures, and everything in between! Yes, we may have changed—but the timeless advice on these pages, and the need for grounding, humour, and soul-to-soul connection, thankfully has not.
We truly hope you enjoy this collection of bite-sized, no-nonsense, heart-led reminders. Little nudges for those days when you need a reality check, a boost, or just a moment to breathe, reset, or laugh.
This is for dreamers, doers, overthinkers, and hustlers. For those who need a moment of clarity in a world that loves to overcomplicate things. It’s for your brothers and sisters, your misses and your misters. A timeless, magical, and effortless collaboration where ideas poured out and it felt—and still feels—important.
Think of it as Queer Eye for your bedside table. Your kind, honest bestie—always ready to tell you what you need to hear, when you need to hear it.
So here it is.
Our decade-old, still-totally-relevant, lovingly-written book. It’s real. It’s here.
We cannot wait for you to have it by your bedside table, in your bag—or wherever the hell you need a daily reminder to keep it real!
Give it with love, to yourself and everyone you love.
.
Available in Hardcover, Paperback, and Kindle on Amazon.
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