FOR months, the 'normal' life we once took for granted and enjoyed has seemed like a distant memory.
Since before Christmas, we have lived under a cloud of stringent lockdown measures. We have had to curtail travel, halt visits to loved ones, long for nights out with friends and even halt our children's sporting fun.
It meant spending a lot of time cooped up at home through the long dark winter months.
But with a cautious easing of restrictions in recent weeks we have seen reopening of non-essential shops, outside bars and cafes as well as the much-needed trip to the hairdresser.
Monday May 24 will be a milestone date however, as it marks the biggest leap out of lockdown and offers a glimpse of the normality that we have been yearning for this past few months.
While there have been many moments missed during lockdown, I am looking forward to the opportunity to be able to create memories again.
From having my parents over for dinner to finally getting the opportunity to leave our homes for a meal in a restaurant - these are all events that will be permanent upcoming fixtures in my empty diary.
It will be the simple pleasure of having a coffee and a catch-up with friends, the chance to share stories about our kids and have a laugh that will also feature prominently in my post-covid world.
And never again will I complain about the movies we go to see either.
With three sons, the chance to take them to the cinema from next week and see them tucking into popcorn in front of the giant screen will definitely be on the cards, as well the museum trips and all those visitor attractions we haven't set foot in for more than a year.
While I may not be booking any trips abroad, for those in search of some sunshine, it might finally be on the horizon with Executive ministers paving the way for holiday-makers to travel to a limited number of foreign destinations.
It has been an uncertain few months for us all, but the success of the vaccination programme combined with the general adherence to lockdown measures means we can look forward with enthusiasm and a genuine source of optimism.
