Our First Summer ... as parents: Dress ups, beach days and moments of joy for new Christchurch parents Chris Hunter and Marc Hobson

The summer holidays are for many, a favourite time of year. But for some, this holiday season is more special, or a bit different, than usual. Or both. In a Herald series, Our First Summer, we are profiling people who are celebrating their first summer with a change in their lives.
​
Showing off nine kilograms of squishy baby goodness on Christmas Day, watching him get spoilt by your smitten family — but still love the wrapping paper and attention more than the presents — and then escaping the city for a beach holiday.

That was the stuff of dreams for Chris Hunter, 29, and his 33-year-old husband, Marc Hobson, this time last year.

And it wasn't far away, a surrogate gave birth to the couple's son Lucas just over three months later.

This festive season, the trio were a family.

And Lucas was shown off and spoiled and pushed his perfect little toes into the sand.

Marc Hobson, left, and husband Chris Hunter with their son, Lucas Hunter-Hobson, then aged eight months, celebrated their first Christmas together in 2017. Photo / Supplied

The Christchurch couple's hopes of holding a child of their own in their arms at the happiest time of the year came true.

It was fun buying baby Santa and elf costumes for the first time, Hunter told the Herald before Christmas.

But there was bigger stuff than that, like the little realisations that make you catch your breath when you realise they're now reality.

"I've always looked forward to having a baby at Christmas ... having a family for the first time at Christmas, our own little family unit.

"We've watched our friends and my siblings have their children, and the enjoyment they have on these special occasions, and we've always sort of longed for it and so, finally, I feel like it's our turn as well ... I think it's just going to be the best Christmas."

Lucas Hunter-Hobson is a real charmer, his dad Chris Hunter says. Photo / Supplied

Hunter, a social worker, and Hobson, a furniture maker, have been together more than eight years and married on New Year's Day 2016.

A family was something they always wanted, Hunter said.

They joined the nz-surrogacy.com support group — both for support and in the hope of meeting someone who might be a surrogate for them.

But they never dared get their hopes too high, he said.

"In the back of your mind I guess you try and protect yourself and think 'it might not happen, so don't get your hopes up or anything'."

Nadine Willoughby, pictured with newborn Lucas Hunter-Hobson, carried him as a surrogate mother for his Christchurch parents, Marc Hobson and Chris Hunter. Photo / Supplied

In 2016 Palmerston North woman Nadine Willoughby , who they met through the support group, offered to carry their baby.

On April 4 last year , he "caught" Lucas as he came into the world, Hunter said.

"It was incredible ... the whole world just changed in an instant.

"We couldn't wait to get home to show him off to the family. For Marc's mother, he's her first grandchild, so that's really special.

Watching their son come into the world was "incredible", says Chris Hunter, right, pictured with husband Marc Hobson and newborn Lucas Hunter-Hobson. Photo / Supplied

Nine months later Lucas is on solids, on the move and onto getting his parents' attention, Hunter said.

"He's very cheeky so he will make strange noises until you notice him, and then when you do he just laughs and smiles. So he really knows how to pull you in to engage with him ... he's a really charming little baby."

He wanted their story to comfort those struggling to hold onto hope, for whatever reason, Hunter said.

"There is hope, and the best thing you can do is talk to people about the way you're feeling. You never know who might have that extra bit of information or who might be out there ... you might get some help.

Chris Hunter, left, and husband Marc Hobson, with their son, Lucas Hunter-Hobson, following his birth in April 2017. Photo / Supplied

"It's a big world and there's lots of people who amazingly are willing to help you and I think that probably extends to some of the bigger issues that this year has brought around mental health awareness, that people sometimes feel like there isn't anyone who can help them, so why bother talking?

"There's always someone willing to listen and it's hard, but putting yourself out there is one of the most healing things you can do."​