A couple who feared they'd never have a family of their own have revealed how a chat about parenting with a colleague while working on a flight to Cuba led them to their adorable twin daughters. 

Cabin crew Craig and Paul Saunders, 39 and 37, from Worthing, Sussex, who met while working for Virgin Atlantic, say colleague Mel Odell, 39, from Chelmsford, Essex, gave them 'the gift of life' when she agreed to be their surrogate. 

The couple, who married in March 2018, are now preparing to celebrate the first birthday of twins Austyn and Orla, who were born at Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital, 15 minutes apart, on June 19 2019.   

And as a special tribute to their surrogate, Mel and her husband Tom, 39, are set to become godparents to the twins. 

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The couple have also given each daughter a middle name after Mel using her surname 'Odell' for Austyn and her maiden name of 'Love' for Orla as a token of gratitude.  

Paul said: 'It was important for us to show how grateful we are of her and everything she has done for us.

'We love being parents and Paul has since changed his contract to part-time so he will be only fly twice a month and won't miss out on the girls growing up.' 

He added: 'We will definitely tell the girls about everything so they can grasp on how it happened from start to finish.

'We are sharing our story to give others hope that magic does happen!'   

Paul first met Mel on a flight to Cuba in spring 2017 where he explained the couple's dream of having a family. 

He said: 'We thought we could only be parents through adoption so began the process - Paul told Mel about it whilst on a flight.   

'A few weeks later, Mel offered to be our surrogate - we were in complete disbelief but she was the driving force behind the idea and was looking into everything for us so we knew she was serious!
It felt too good to be true.'

Mel revealed how she had 'easy' pregnancies without complications and has been fortunate enough with her two children to have 'quick labours' which prompted her to be a surrogate.

She said: 'I had never thought about being a surrogate before in my life but after my last child Zachary, five, I felt quite upset knowing I won't be pregnant again.

'When I first met Paul on a work trip, I thought he was amazing and he told me a little about his personal life and how he really wants to be a dad.

'After five days in Cuba, I decided I really want to help and be a surrogate for them.

I knew Paul would make a great dad!' 

After researching clinics, the trio opted to undergo treatment at Crown IVF in Famagusta, Cyprus, where the couple narrowed down the egg donors to ones who had the same characteristics and a good academic background.

Craig and Paul were initially going to see who 'produced the strongest embryo' after Mel agreed she would be a surrogate again - but the clinic allowed them both to father an embryo.  

Staff performed the unusual procedure of fertilising donor eggs from the same woman, one with Craig's and another with Paul's sperm, and transferring one of each for implantation into Mel's uterus. 

Speaking about when he first met his husband, Paul said: 'Craig and I met whilst on a flight to Florida in 2005 - we briefly dated but went out separate ways before bumping into one another in Greece in 2016.

'We got back together and six months later Craig proposed and said 'lets do the dream' as we both wanted marriage and children. 

Paul said: 'It was a surreal experience but we both stayed really grounded with it and saw the donor selection as another step towards the end goal of achieving our dream of becoming parents.

'Mel kindly offered to be our surrogate twice so we could both father a child but fortunately we found the clinic in Cyprus which allowed two eggs to be fertilised by each of our sperm at the same time.

'The clinic were amazing and so inviting - we were worried in case they didn't have the same views on same sex couples as the UK.

'When Mel was working on her ground placement at the airport she would stay with us from Monday to Wednesday so we were able to touch the bump and watch it grow - it fascinated us.

'We also recorded messages for her to play to the bump.' 

Mel said: 'Being their surrogate is one of the best things I have ever done and I am very proud to have helped.

'Everything went perfectly and it was the best feeling in the world knowing I have made them the happiest men alive.

'It was a really lovely gesture giving the girls a middle name after me!'

And the couple have revealed how parenthood is a the 'craziest and best rollercoaster' they have ever been on.

Paul said: 'The pregnancy ran smoothly and so did the labour - it was heartbreaking having to say goodbye to Mel as we wanted to remain close to her but little did we know that it was just the beginning of our journey.

'She will always be one of our very close friends.

'Craig and I are in awe with the twins - we absolutely adore them and can't thank Mel enough for helping us.'