A bride received a letter from her father beyond his grave on her wedding day.
Freya Rosati, 32, was just 11 years old when her dad, Philip Hargreaves, from oesophageal cancer at the age of 53. That was 20 years ago.
But before he died, Philip, he wrote nine cards for Freya - eight for birthdays, and a final one for her wedding day.
Everyone was in tears when her mother, Theresa, 68, read the card to wedding guests in lieu of Philip’s father-of-the-bride speech on her wedding day.
The card read: “I wish I could be standing next to you, the proudest dad in the world, to walk you down the aisle to the man you love, and to the next chapter in your life.
“Today is your day, enjoy everything about it. Laugh and cry. Be happy and confident.”
It was a heartfelt moment for Freya who was close to her dad and did everything with him, from taking her to dance classes, to watching movies and playing games together.
Freya's father could never say 'no' to her. He was her big hero.
He was strong until the end of his life. When he got seriously ill after his cancer diagnosis, he rarely complained.
On Freya's wedding day, her father's presence was evident. Not only because the letter he had written for her wedding day, but from the photos of him that were hung on a tree outside the wedding venue.
Losing her father at such a young age made the bond with her mother, Theresa, stronger. But having to celebrate milestones in Freya's life such as her 18th birthday and when she met her future husband was difficult without her father.
To read more excerpts of the letter, click on the link below.
Source: Independent