Kate Garraway has shared her sadness as she marked her first wedding anniversary without Derek Draper.
Derek died in January at the age of 56 following his battle with Covid-19 and its after-effects.
And on Tuesday (September 11) Kate revealed to fans that it was her and Derek’s 20th wedding anniversary, admitting it felt like a “punch in the stomach”.
Kate Garraway and Derek Draper’s 20th wedding anniversary
GMB host Kate took to her Instagram to upload an emotional post on what would have been her 20th wedding anniversary to Derek.
Opening up to fans, Kate spoke about the heartache of marking such a “personal” milestone without him.
“Hello everyone. Today would have been my 20th wedding anniversary to Derek, it still is my 20th wedding anniversary to Derek,” Kate told her 1.3 million followers.
Kate Garraway ‘very sad’ on ‘personal’ day
Kate went on: “It’s one of those days we talked about like Christmas, Easter, his birthday, where you really feel a punch to the stomach.
“This one I’ve been feeling very sorry for myself I’m afraid, because it’s such a personal thing… This day is so particularly special to him and I. The fact that he’s not here makes me feel very sad and notice his absence like a roaring train.
“I’ve been leaning into the grief as people say you have to and have been re-reading his anniversary messages on previous cards which I feel so grateful to have had.”
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Kate on attending the NTAs without Derek
Kate then spoke about the NTAs on Wednesday (September 11), and how she is attending as her documentary Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story, has been nominated.
However, Kate noted it will be “hard” to attend the event without Derek by her side.
“I’ve been rewatching the documentary because tomorrow is the National Television Awards and just marvelling at his spirit over the last few years. This documentary particularly is about his story… and about care and vulnerability,” Kate shared.
Kate admits she’s ‘super emotional’
Kate’s caption read: “So it’s our wedding anniversary today and feeling super emotional but also so grateful to all that Derek brought into my life.
“Leaning into the #grief, by rereading his old cards to me & also watching the doc #dereksstory – reminding myself of how he fought to the end to get back more of his life & for change for others.
“It’s the #officialntas tomorrow and it will be so hard to go without him with us – but Darcey, Bill & I WILL go – to celebrate his life, the message he wanted heard and to honour all the hard work of doctors nurses and carers everywhere – paid and unpaid for the incredible work they do every day.”
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