I met my younger self for coffee…

I met my younger self today.

She was fresh out of university, uncertain but hopeful. I stood before her, knowing everything that was to come.

She told me she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life but hoped she’d make Dad proud. She was excited to move to London with Rob, dreaming about their first home together.

I smiled and told her she did him proud. She got the job she wanted, and yes, she and Rob got that flat—the one she had her heart set on.

She looked at me wide-eyed, excited, but before she could say anything else, I took a deep breath.

I had some news about Dad.

He passed. Suddenly. We didn’t get to say goodbye.

She panicked, eyes filling with tears. How will we be okay without him? What do we do?

I pulled her into a hug. I told her that Daddy didn’t raise a quitter - we made it and we’re doing just fine.

The girls moved in with us and Rob for a while, we grieved together, but also had the most fun, supporting each other through it all.

She asked if we still get upset. I nodded. Every day. We miss him always, but we look after each other. We keep his memory alive in the way we live, the way we love, the way we talk about him.

And we weren’t alone. People from Dad’s career, his friends, the ones he worked alongside for years— stepped up. They share stories and help keep his memory alive in the way they speak about him. It reminds us that he left a legacy far beyond just us.

She wiped her tears and hesitated. And Rob? Would we be okay? We’d only been together three years…

I smiled. It wasn’t easy. We lost friends. We lost pieces of ourselves. But we also learned what truly matters.

Rob stayed. He supported us, our sisters. He was everything we needed and more. I told her that two years ago, we got married. We’re celebrating nine years together now.

And somehow, even in our grief, we found a new kind of family.

I told her about It’s Time—a charity for young adults who have lost a parent. How we found a community of people who truly understood. How I now get to support the charity as an advisor. And how Rob is training for the Landmarks Half Marathon to raise money for them.

She exhaled shakily, nodding, trying to take it all in.

We sat in silence for a while.

Before she left, I asked her for one favor.

When you see Dad tonight, hug him. The biggest hug in the world. Thank him for everything. And hold on just a little longer.

I hope we meet again soon.