MPW.69 / 2017 An Unlikely Family by Sally Coggle
Photographer
Sally Coggle Melbourne, Australia

Team Gilka

Story Summary

It’s not the typical traditional family, but what really defines a family? For Susan, her husband Charlie, Celeste and the four children, it’s been a journey of discovery.

In a previous life, Susan and Celeste were a couple who really wanted children. They approached Charlie, a gay friend to be the sperm donor, and together they had three girls, Paige, Phoebe, and Polly. Susan carried the children, and Celeste adopted them.

A few years ago Susan and Charlie found themselves single, and Charlie became more involved in the lives of Susan and the children. Before long Susan and Charlie’s friendship had evolved and they conceived another child. They recently married on the Total Solar Eclipse.

Today there are two mothers and one father. Although Celeste doesn’t live with Susan and the children anymore, Celeste and the girls have an ongoing relationship.