Tuesday, 15th December will mark the one year anniversary since the horrific Sydney siege at the Lindt café in Martin Place.
Tragically mum-of-three and barrister Katrina Dawson, 38, and Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34, never made it out alive.
Harriette first introduced her daughter Billie to Woman’s Day back in August.
But this year, siege survivor Harriette Denny is looking forward to her first Christmas with daughter Billie.
“She’s the reason I smile,” Harriette, who became a first-time mum in June with her partner of 13 years Jorge Bonora, exclusively told Woman’s Day.
Fourteen weeks pregnant at the time of the attack, Harriette had not yet announced the happy news to family and friends, except for her Lindt co-worker Joel Herat, 22.
In this week’s issue of Woman’s Day the brave mum explains why her colleague and dear friend is the perfect godfather to her daughter.
Joel gives his treasured goddaughter a kiss.
“It’s such an important decision, but for us it was so easy,” Harriette mused.
“Joel held my hand from the beginning. He comforted me through the whole thing. I remember us sitting knee-to-knee, him whispering to me,” she added of the astounding ordeal.
When the time came to run out the door, Harriette tripped and fell. Although Joel was ahead of her, he turned to grab her hand to make sure she escaped.
And Joel couldn’t be more proud to be a very important part of Billie’s life.
“Billie’s a symbol of hope, life and love,” Joel beamed.
To read more about Harriette’s first Christmas with her daughter, be sure to pick up a copy of this week’s Woman’s Day, on sale now.
