Writing about Laura and Ella still doesn’t feel real. No matter how much time passes, the ache is always there. Their absence is loud, constant and deeply unfair. We all miss Laura and Ella every single day.

Laura was so many things, but first and always she was a mum – a fiercely loving mum to her three beautiful daughters. They were her whole world. Everything she did was for them. She was a successful businesswoman, a wedding planner and the proud owner of Sweet Beginnings. Laura worked incredibly hard, built something of her own and gave everything she had – not just to her girls, but to everyone around her.

Laura had the most amazing ability to make people laugh. She could have everyone in stitches without even trying. She lit up every room she walked into. She was a sister, a daughter and an auntie who adored her nieces and cousins. She loved deeply and she gave generously.

She loved shopping – especially for the girls. She would spend hours buying things for them, because nothing was ever too much when it came to her children. She loved her Jimmy Choos and designer clothes, but her real joy was making sure her girls had everything they wanted and more. We will always remember her travelling to set up her sweetie cart for a birthday, making sure every single child got their sweetie bags – and then driving another two and a half hours to set up for someone else. That was Laura. She never let anyone down. Ever.

Ella was only 11. A child. A little girl who should still be here.

Laura and Ella had such a special relationship. Ella was from Laura’s previous relationship, and because of that, they spent so much time together. They were incredibly close. Ella was Laura’s mini-me in every way.

Ella was so loved. She spent lots of time with her Auntie Jo and her nannies, and she had beautiful, close relationships with both sides of her family, including her dad. She was surrounded by love. Ella was also incredibly talented. She was an amazing ballroom dancer who had lessons for many years, competed, and won so many trophies. Watching her dance was something special. Her old dance teacher now teaches her two younger sisters – our two nieces – who are growing up without their mum and their big sister, words that still feel impossible to say.

Those two beautiful girls are being raised by our incredible step-mum and our sister Jo. They are funny, kind and absolutely wonderful. They are loved so deeply. We hope Laura can look down and see the beautiful girls they are becoming and know they are safe, cherished and surrounded by love.

We wish Laura and Ella were still here. We wish things were different. The memories are painful, but they are also precious, because they remind us of the love, laughter and light they brought into all our lives.

You are missed beyond words. You are loved always. And you will never, ever be forgotten.

Forever our Laura and Ella.

xxxx