Charlotte Ree: ‘I met my partner on Tinder at 30. He picked up my heart and healed it’

Charlotte Ree is a cook and author best known for hosting her Heartbake Bites supper club dinners. The 32-year-old opens up about her protective older brother, getting married at 19 and getting back into the dating scene after her divorce.

My maternal grandpa, Barry, who’s 85, is my best friend. We talk every day. As a kid, we weren’t close. He was an alcoholic. When Nan left him, he was heartbroken. He found the Lord, as he would say, and is completely different. He’s loving, attentive and the most magnificent man I have ever met.

Barry never dated another woman. He still lives in the same house, which he built. I once asked him what love felt like. He responded, “Painful.” He is one of the youngest of 11 children raised by a strong mother. His father died when he was young.

My stepfather, Paul, whom I call Pa, came into my life when I was two. We are not blood related, but my humour and tastes are inspired by him. He was the stay-at-home dad while Mum, Kimberlii, was the career woman. He dropped me at school, ironed my clothes and cooked for us.

Pa is very devoted to Mum. She is a strong-willed and opinionated woman. He brings her cups of tea and breakfast in bed. They are still together and the epitome of love.

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My biological father, Andrew, is a complicated man who battled his own demons. I’m sure he wanted to be a good dad, but he faded out of my life. He comes back in sometimes, but he’s a dull presence. He has three other children.

His younger brother, Uncle Jason, was there in ways Dad never was. He embraced me and took me in at family events. He had four kids of his own but always made me feel welcome.

I grew up with my brother Jac, four years older than me. We have different dads and couldn’t be more different. The beauty of being younger than Jac is that he sheltered me when our mum got sick with bipolar disorder and had some episodic moments. I was sad when she went into hospital, but he protected me from most of it.