Valentine's Day reminds me of my relationship and what love means to me.

I met my partner Mark at college back in 1997 and we met across the student canteen. I asked him out and we have been together ever since.

As a person with a learning disability , I never thought I would be able to have a relationship or be able to meet someone who I could love, but that changed when I met mark. Our first date was in London and we had a lovely time. It was very important to me that we got to know each other.

Roll on to New Year's Day 2008 - Mark and I got engaged! I wanted to show the world that I could have a good relationship and get married. We got engaged on holiday in Ireland. We had my family around us which made it a very special day."

In the time leading up to our wedding day, we had lots of support from my parents to make decision as work out what kind of wedding day we wanted to have.

We talked together about venues to have our ceremony and reception in. We talked about people we know who might be able to play a role in our big day to help us and some of those people said yes.

We got someone to do our photos, someone to do our flowers, and a local bakery made our cake and a local golf club hosted our reception.

It took lost of planning, but we had the best day of our lives. I got my wedding dress from a local bridal shop and it was beautiful. I felt like Cinderella in it!

Ciara on her wedding day
A photograph of Ciara walking up the aisle

Finally on May 4 2013, we got married in front of all our family and friends in a lovely ceremony and said that we would love each other forever. I felt like I had proved a lot of people wrong. This year it will be our 11 year wedding anniversary.

I know people with a learning disability like me have the right to relationships and marriage, just like anyone else with the right support. For me Valentine's Day is just one day, but I have someone who loves me every day no matter what!"