Seventeen years ago, during his first date with Orna, Matthew Walters discovered they both shared a desire to remain child-free, which eased his concerns about future compatibility. As a hypnotherapist, he found purpose in helping others heal, which fulfilled his nurturing instincts. His choice to be child-free affected his dating life, leading to the end of a relationship with someone who wanted kids. After marrying Orna, both in their 40s, they faced assumptions from others about starting a family and experienced pressure to conform to societal norms. Despite losing some friends over their decision, they maintained connections with other child-free couples, reflecting on the differences in societal expectations based on age and marital status.
