Moving to the unknown in London from Irvine on the seaside…well, it was a stark contrast. That’s putting it mildly! But, I knew I had to take a leap of faith.

It wasn’t always easy. I doubted myself. I had people in Glasgow telling me how big a jump it would be. They questioned if it was the right decision. As time passed, I knew it was.

You have to build your home. Nest, slowly. As I said, these surroundings – both on the pitch and off it – were unlike anything I had back in Scotland.

But, I started to grow a strong affinity with this club. It’s only increased year after year. Eight and counting.

The fans came to love me and that was a mutual feeling. I earned the trust of my fellow players. The staff always supported me. All of it helped make this place home.

Things started to become familiar. Between the big waves from security as I drive to training in the morning and the greetings from the kitchen staff when I make my first coffee of the day, I felt welcome here. I still do. The feeling has never wavered.

In the years that have passed, all of those people have felt like my second family. We share the same Chelsea blood.

I see them almost every day and they probably know more about me in some respects than my family back home in Scotland do. And I know about their lives, too.

That’s what I love about Chelsea. No matter who you are or what role you play. It is a family. We are all aligned in where we want to go and what we want to achieve.

But, even if I had won zero trophies at the club, I would have still felt satisfied that I’m exactly where I should be. It’s the behaviours that count and we do the right ones here.

I have been here for almost a decade and I’m just a small cog in the wheel. That’s the beauty of it.

We are all a small part of a much bigger thing. I do my best to contribute to that every day and so does everyone else.

Things may feel familiar, but they aren’t comfortable. I feel challenged in this environment every single day. I know I can still become a better player and this is right where I want to be to do that.

My mum and dad watched me leave Scotland as a naïve teenager. I had never lived away from home before and I had to learn to fend for myself.

I know they were worried. They watched their little girl fly the nest and step into the unknown. We all made sacrifices and for that I’ll forever be grateful.

But, if you don’t take that shot in the dark then you will never be where you want to be in life.

It took time for their worries to fade away, but when I started calling them and they could see the big smile beaming across my face, they knew I had found my people. Best friends and connections made for life.

One of the biggest thanks I have for that has to go to Fran Kirby. She never wanted me to feel alone in those early days. I don’t think I can ever express in words how much she did for me.

When new faces arrive at the club now, I try to be like Fran. I want to be one of the first to greet new players and make them feel at home. I want them to feel what I feel.

Eight years ago, I left my home and found another one. Thank you, Chelsea.