This is the story of my beloved soul mate Wilf

I first met Wilf when my mother was working as a warden at a old peoples home, though he lived there he was still working in a law firm. He used to buy me chocolate bars and we'd sit and talk about many things. We became great friends, we played cards or dominoes at night. When he retired we spent more time together, we used to get on buses and just get lost somewhere, to us it was so fun, trying to figure our way home with a map. I miss that he was such a gentle man. The age gap was huge but that didn't matter to us we were soul mates, got on really well. I want to tell his story so people will know how much of a gold heart he had. We had our little aruments, we were like man and wife, I miss the way he cheated at dominoes it's strange how you miss the things that got on your nerves. 10 years on the 18th June and sometimes I get overwelmed that he isn't there anymore. I know our love will last death and our time apart. When I'm upset and lonely I remember his last words to me before he went on holiday " I love you Natalie". I was the love of his life if only I was a bit older I would accepted his proposal for marriage. We had a wonderful friendship and some lovely memories. Time has pasted so quickly but it's never stopped hurting. I'm never going to have a friend like him. He looked after me.

The day I was told he'd died

I felt so heartbroken, no longer would I have him by myside. I felt so alone and to this day I still feel the same. The empyness that overcome me was overwelming. The sickness of losing my best friend hit me like a ton of bricks all I had left were memories and his last words to me. My mum was crying as well. I asked my mum for the key to his flat and I went in. Didn't touch anything apart from lying on his bed and I curled up in his duvet and wept till I hurt all over.

The day I said the "Proper" goodbye

Jean took my Mum and I to his funeral. All the time I was there I held on to a single white rose. Normally Jean and my Mum didn't get along but that day she was a great help. I couldn't contain my grief, I felt like a widow as silly as that sounds. When it was time to go it was hard for me to go to his coffin and lay down the rose so I asked Jean to do it for me and she happily agreed. She said I'd regret it but to be honest I never had because I knew I wouldn't be strong enough to let go.