On the first anniversary of Aaron Hernandez's death, fiancée Shayanna Jenkins paid tribute to her love, who died by suicide in 2017 while serving a life sentence for murder.
"I remember getting a call saying you had passed," she wrote at the time. "Dropping the phone and crying uncontrollably I didn’t know what to do . I wanted to get to you as fast as I knew how so you weren’t alone anymore . This was by far the worst day of my life especially when things were looking better."
Acknowledging their daughter Avielle, now 11, she continued, "I’ve suffered hurt , sadness and definitely anger BUT I’ve had this little girl to make my spirits higher . Although , I hurt today and continue to figure this thing called 'life' out ... we will celebrate your life with love , joy and happiness."
Shayanna and her baby girl proudly wore Patriots' jersey. Aaron served as tight end for the New England team from 2010 to 2012.
For Shayanna, Aaron's legacy continues to grow stronger every day.
"You’ve touched more people’s hearts than I’ve ever seen - not just from your smile but you being you," she wrote in 2018. "I thank you for showing me things I’d never get to experience in life and creating a better one for your daughter and I ... I thank you for allowing me to share all of our experiences and create new memories with this precious princess . Your legacy will live on , until we meet again ... WE love you very very much."
"It takes as long as it takes .I will always wake up everyday only to remember you are not here and have to feel that ache all over again," Shayanna captioned a selfie of her and Aaron. "You are truly loved & missed."
She described her love as "beautiful inside and out."
For Shayanna, there's no denying who her daughter takes after: "Daddy’s twin !"