Dear Mum,

I wonder if you were in the sunset over the lake, watching over me while Caitlin got down on one knee to seal our future. It felt like a moment crafted just for us, and I can only hope you were there, smiling down on me.

You never got to see me grow into the woman I am today, but I've carried you with me every step of the way. Every time I lace up my boots and step onto the field, I feel you in my heart. Playing football was my way of connecting with you, a bridge across time and space that kept your spirit alive in me. I wanted to be close to you, and I think you'd be proud of how far I've come.

Caitlin is everything I've ever dreamed of—her laughter lights up the darkest days, and her love has become my safe haven. I still remember the first time we met, how shy she was, how her blue eyes were the first thing I saw. When she kissed me for the first time under that tree, drenched in rain, it felt like magic—a moment that only you could understand.

Moving from England to America was a leap of faith, but it was worth it. The chance to play professionally with Houston Dash was more than a dream; it was my way of honoring you, of making sure your legacy lived on through me. I often wonder if you would have cheered for me from the sidelines, your eyes gleaming with pride as I chased my dreams. I hope you know that every goal I scored, every victory I celebrated, was for you.

When Caitlin proposed, it felt like everything fell into place. She asked me to be with her forever, and in that moment, I could almost feel your presence, encouraging me to embrace the love I've found. I wish you could have been there to witness it, to share in the joy of our love story. I want to build a life with Caitlin, to create our own family, just as you and Dad did.

This diary has been a safe space for me, a way to express the things I couldn't say out loud. And as I close this final entry, I want you to know how much I love you, even though we were never able to meet. Your strength and spirit have guided me, and I'll carry your memory with me into this new chapter of my life.

Thank you for being my inspiration, for lighting the path that has brought me to Caitlin. I promise to honor your memory as I build a life filled with love, laughter, and maybe even a few little ones of my own one day.

With all my love,
Elena