Former Neighbours star Takaya Honda and wife Amy announce heartwarming family news
"We have waited so long and worked so hard to finally have you with us."
Former Neighbours star Takaya Honda and his wife Amy have announced the arrival of their first child.
Takaya, who played Dr David Tanaka on the hit Australian soap, took to Instagram to share an adorable picture of the newborn lying next to a balloon-shaped plaque including his birth details.
It revealed Takaya and Amy, who wed in 2019, have called their son Ari Zen Honda, and he was born on January 20 at 7.15am.
The post also included pictures of the couple in the hospital, as well as snaps of Ari moments after his birth and enjoying cuddles with his beaming parents.
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The news comes after the couple opened up on their fertility struggles and cycles of IVF.
In an Instagram post, Takaya penned an emotional letter to his son touching on the "long" journey it had been to become a parent.
He wrote: "Ari Zen Honda. 20.01.25. Dear Ari, We have waited so long and worked so hard to finally have you with us.
"You have filled our hearts with joy and we cannot wait for all the adventures we will share with you. You are happy and healthy and that is all we can and will ever hope for. Love, Mum and Dad x."
Takaya's Neighbours co-stars were quick to share their congratulations, including Aaron Brennan actor Matt Wilson who recently welcomed his third child with wife Jessica.
He wrote: "This makes me so happy. Congrats @amy_beth._ @takayah ❤️❤️❤️."
Ariel Kaplan, who played Imogen Willis in the show, said: "Omg congratulations guys!!! And great name choice 🙊🥰."
Lucinda Cowden, who appeared in the soap as Melanie Pearson, added: "Oh my goodness!! An angel 👼 congratulations to you both… let the adventure begin!! Welcome to the world Ari!!!"
Tim Kano, Annie Jones, Majella Davis, Ben Turland, and Tim Robards were also among the stars sending their well wishes.
Announcing their pregnancy, Takaya opened up on the "years of frustrations" he and Amy had endured while trying to conceive.
"We’ve been waiting for this news for a long time, it’s been years of hoping & waiting," he wrote.
"Years of frustration being told that we were both healthy and fine. Years of frustration being told, 'You just need to relax and it will happen'.
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"Sometimes it’s not up to us, sometimes it’s out of our control and the universe has different plans.
"Maybe it was to teach us patience or maybe to teach us that some things will never be in our control and that’s okay because things will happen when they are divinely ready.
"It’s been a long journey to get here, and although there were times when we felt things were never going to work, we never gave up.
"It’s impossible to really communicate what the last few years have been like, especially not the last year filled with so much hope then despair, belief then loss and oh so many needles."
The actor added: "Thank you for choosing us little one, we can’t wait to share our lives with you."
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