"I came out as gay after I fell for another mum at the school gates"

A woman came out as gay after a 10-year relationship and fell in love with another mum at the school gates.

Olivia Hopkins, 29, met Amy Pope, 32, after their daughters - aged eight and 10 - struck up a friendship.

Olivia separated from her ex-husband, 33, after their marriage broke down and she continued to see Amy at play dates with their children.

Over time the pair both started to realise they had feelings for each other and began hanging out just the two of them.

After sharing a kiss they felt "fireworks" and began dating.

The couple are now celebrating a year together and couldn't be happier.

Olivia, a social media creator for a brand, from Taunton, Somerset, said: "It just feels like you're with you best friend constantly.

"Ten years ago if you asked if I would have been with a woman I would have said no.

"We'd say we're gay because we're with another woman but the thought of another woman cringes me out.

"We're happy and in love - that's all that matters."

Amy, a section leader at a supermarket, said: "You fall in love with a person.

"I never would have thought it would have been with a woman.

"It happened so naturally."

Olivia - who has a daughter, eight, and son, five - met Amy when her little girl, 10, helped Olivia's when she was struggling with school in 2022.

Olivia said: "All of a sudden my daughter struggled going into school.

"Amy's daughter took her under her wing.

"I messaged her to say thank you."

Olivia and her children started having playdates with Amy's daughter and son, eight - who she shares with her ex-husband of 14 years.

Olivia said: "We were just friends. There was nothing more to it."

Amy added: "We opened up to each other about a lot. We were close friends."

Olivia separated from her ex at the start of 2023 after their relationship "naturally" broke down.

Olivia and Amy continued to see each other - and hung out without their children.

Olivia said: "We went for nights out - we'd get a bit flirty.

"I came out one day and said I think there are feelings involved here. Amy played it cool."

The pair both navigated their feelings but were not sure if it was "just lust" initially.

Amy said: "I had feelings for her but I never admitted it.

"I'd been on my own for so long. I didn't want to allow myself to get into another relationship."

Olivia "came out" and told her family and friends she had feelings for another woman and says they were all supportive.

It wasn't until May 2023 that the couple shared a kiss when they were "messing around".

Olivia said: "It was that movie kiss. It felt like fireworks.

"We both said we'd never felt that with anyone."

The couple chose to keep their blossoming relationship a secret before they felt sure about it themselves.

Olivia said: "We wanted to have that privacy for a little bit and to see that what we had was real."

They made things official in June 2023 and told their family and kids in August of the same year.

They both said their ex-partners have been really supportive.

Olivia said: "They've both said it's easier us being with a women rather than a man."

Olivia's children "utterly adore" Amy and call her mum.

Amy's children were a little more worried about how other people would react to their relationship but now call Olivia stepmum.

The couple have always prioritised their children and put their feelings first.

Olivia said: "We said if it's a problem we'll stop."

The pair say they have had a positive reaction from other mum's at the school gates.

Olivia said: "We'd try and be at the school gates and not look at each other [when it was a secret].

"There is a lot school mums that go 'I can see that'."

Olivia and Amy hope their love story can help other people.

Olivia said: "Anyone can be who or what they want.

"It's who you fall in love with as a person.

"We were both so unhappy and now we've got that happiness.

"We've got a lovely blended unit."

Follow Olivia on TikTok @oliviahopkins_95