Ross and MND

20/11/2025

I haven't posted here in a long while.

So much has happened..

I can't remember what we did for Christmas last year.. or what it looked like. But I know it felt different putting up the tree this year.

I chose a blue theme. For MND awareness of course.

This Sunday will be 12 months since you left us.. I think we'll go to the gardens.

Feeling all of the emotions.

Erin Leigh xx

13/08/2025

I felt you there with me.

You said you would send a sign.
You always loved to go above and beyond,
So of course you sent more than just one.

I asked for a Whale.. because I like to aim high. So you sent a Whale.. with her baby. And they followed us.. from boarding the initial boat, to each paddle, to switching islands, sunrise paddles and the last boat home.. they were there. You were there.

I asked for a Turtle. No worries. Have all the turtles.. and throw in a few rays. She likes those.

I asked for all the pretty skies. The perfect sunset, whilst a full moon rose.. was really something. Well played.

And the baby praying mantis ontop of the mountain? Are you even doing anything up there? How much time do you have?

I felt you there with me.
But I wish you were HERE with me.
Why did this happen?

Erin Leigh

12/08/2025

We made it. Home safe and sound. Close to $10k raised between myself and kayaking partner Jarrod Kent. 🥳

There is still time to donate or share the link!

Unfortunately due to weather conditions, we travelled less then 48kms by kayak.. but we made up for it in hiking kms and dancefloor shenanigans.

Thankyou for everyone that has supported this cause.

https://www.mnd.org.au/my-fundraising/2349/erin-valentine

Erin Leigh

30/07/2025

Next week.. i'll be on the water.

Something, people might not know.. was being on the water, was one of your biggest fears.

You preferred your feet to be on land.

Yet.. you chose on my Birthday.. to canoe out with me at sunrise.. over Lake Louise in Canada, to get down on bended knee and ask me to spend the rest of our lives together.

And then wouldn't let me leap into your arms to say yes.. in case the canoe flipped. 🫣

It's almost been 7 years since that moment.

I miss you so fu***ng much.

You were such an as***le that trip. To the point I almost gave you that ring back. We were not perfect. But I miss you.

It will be my first birthday without you.. and the first time, i'll be older then you.

I'm trying.

I am doing my best.

Love Erin Leigh xo

Ps. I grew the muscles you lost.

05/07/2025

Absolutely devastating. 💔

25/06/2025

Evie and I were given the chance to attend a special camp over the weekend; catering to families who have lost a parent - run by Wombat's Wish.

The weekend was spent with families who shared a profound understanding of our grief. We were all part of a difficult and unfortunate community, but for a short time, the experience was less solitary.

This camp relies entirely on grants, donations, and volunteers.

Wombat's Wish offers exceptional support, and if you're thinking of making a donation before the end of the financial year, I strongly recommend considering this organization.

💜 Erin Leigh

29/05/2025

Our amazing Community always surrounding us with love and suppprt. 🥰

🧊💙 FREEZIN’ FOR A REASON – IN HONOUR OF ROSS 💙🧊

Six months ago, we lost a familiar face who had become so much more than a customer at Tradie Kaf – our mate Ross. His kindness, warmth, and that unforgettable smile left a lasting mark on our little community in Kooweerup.

Ross may no longer be with us, but his legacy lives on through every laugh, every coffee shared, and now through our mission to help FightMND. 💜

This year, we're jumping on board with the DIY Big Freeze to raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease – the cruel Beast that took Ross too soon. We're going all in for him.

👉 From Monday June 2nd to Friday June 6th, here's how you can get involved:

🧢 We’ll be selling MND Beanies, Kids Beanies & Footy Socks while stocks last.
🌯 For every Breakfast Wrap sold (Egg, Bacon, Cheese, Hashbrown, BBQ or Tomato Sauce), we’ll donate $1.00 to our FightMND total.

📍 Tradie Kaf – 283–285 Rossiter Rd, Koo Wee Rup
🕔 Open 5:00am – 2:30pm

Every bite, every beanie, every dollar counts.
If you’d like to support Brad’s fundraiser directly, head to:
🔗 https://support.fightmnd.org.au/fundraisers/BradLovitt/diy-bigfreeze

Let’s do this for Ross. Let’s show that his legacy is bigger than we ever imagined.
Together, we can defeat the Beast. 💙🧊

25/05/2025

Today hit different.

It's been 6 months.

Since you took your last breathe in my arms.

It still hurts. I still cry. I miss you.

Erin Leigh xox

11/05/2025

What does strength, determination, and persistence look like?

This.

This was exactly 12 months ago.

New Zealand.

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

Why was I sitting there, watching my husband potentially fall to his death? Because I had no other choice.

This was Ross.

Ross absolutely refused to ask for help. He would get incredibly angry if I said, "Maybe don't do that." He would get frustrated, yell, hit things, throw things, and cry.

Ross would rather fall a million times than give up or not try.

Was it inspirational? Motivational? Miraculous? Sure.

Was I terrified and on the edge of my seat at all times? Absolutely.

Did I use humour to cope? It's all I had.

Keep going. Keep trying. Keep persisting.

It might be hard, almost feel impossible.

But what if you reach the top?

- Erin Leigh