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Ditta, 46, and Lal, 48, became parents in their 40s after spending 20 years together building a life and community together in Swansea after moving from Hungary in the 2000s. The couple adopted their son, who is now almost two-years-old, in the summer of 2025 through Western Bay Adoption Service.

This is their story…

We always wanted to have a family, we had been thinking about it for years, fostering and adoption. We came to it a little later than most people, we spent our twenties and thirties travelling and building our life here in the UK – first in London, then in Swansea. We love it here so much, everyone is so friendly, it reminds us so much of home, the culture and community are so familiar. 

During Covid, we experienced two miscarriages, but adoption had always been in our minds to become a family, and one day, it just felt like the right time to get in touch.

They got back to us so quickly and the process began straight away, there were so many checks and investigations, home visits and trainings. Most of them made sense, but there were a few occasions when we found it difficult. 

We weren’t sure we could adopt here because we are from another county, so we were pleased to learn we were able to progress through the system. Because we are both from Hungary, we had extra checks again, they spoke to both our families, using a translator to speak to our parents who don’t speak English. They spoke to our exes! It was a lot that we didn’t expect, but we understand now, it is so thorough for a reason, and the result is amazing. 

We spoke to people online in different forums and stuff, and we were told it could be years. But then we welcomed our son when he was nine months old, 18 months after making that first contact. 

When we were first approved, we were given profiles of children to consider and we felt almost guilty saying no, we said no to two other children before our son, but the situation has to be right for you and your family. I know it sounds silly, but it must be a match made in heaven, and it was for us.  There was some uncertainty around him because he was so young, lots of investigations into his health, we were given so many opportunities to change our minds, but we were adamant, he was our son. 

If I showed you a photo of my brother at the same age – you wouldn’t believe it, he is like the spitting image. He is a lovely little boy. 

We are also in touch with our son’s biological sibling, it’s so lovely for both – and we believe that opportunity is so important, when it is appropriate.

Both our families have been so supportive through the entire process and were so excited to meet him. We are raising him bilingually, so he is learning to speak Hungarian and English. Both grandmothers were here for Christmas last year – they are in love with him.

When we started talking to our friends and colleagues about it, we started to learn so much more about adoption, we discovered so many people had stories to share. And through Western Bay, we have met other adopters and families who we have been able to go to for advice and support, and now we offer that same support and advice back.