Rosie Connolly has opened up about her father’s anniversary, revealing how this time of year affects her mental health.
At just 18 years of age, the Irish influencer sadly lost her father due to a tragic drowning incident, and a decade later, admits it’s still as painful as ever.
Chatting to followers on social media, Rosie spoke openly about the intense anxiety she feels in the run-up to the day.
“Anniversaries never get easier. I always feel so out of sorts and panicky,” she began.
“I’m always like, I don’t know why I feel like this, and then I remember. He’ll be 11 years gone, and it still doesn’t feel any easier.”
Speaking about her dad, Rosie previous revealed he was the nicest person she’d ever met, and the best father she could have wished for.
“He was such a good person and an incredible dad,” she told Georgie Crawford on The Good Glow.
“He never, no matter who it was, had anything bad to say about them.
“He always saw the positive in everything and considering everything he went through in life, that outlook is phenomenal.
“I’m so lucky that I had him in my life. Obviously I was 18 when he passed away, but I got 18 years with him. He was just our world.”
Rosie paid special tribute to her father during her wedding last May, ensuring he was as much a part of the ceremony as anyone else in the room.
“We’ll have a photograph of him on the alter – well, we’re not getting married in a church but where we’ll be saying our vows, just so I can see his face and feel he’s part of the day,” she told VIP Magazine ahead of the big day.
“I hope to do something with the wedding favours with regard to the RNLI, because dad drowned and they were fantastic, so I’d like to give back to them in some way.”
Words: Catherine Taylor.