When I first met Mary, I’ll admit—she wasn’t what I had imagined. I had my head completely wrapped up in footy, and I wasn’t looking for anything else. Mary, though, was different. She had this spark about her. She was confident, energetic, and had no problem speaking her mind. At the time, I wasn’t sure how to take…

When I first met Mary, I’ll admit—she wasn’t what I had imagined. At that point in my life, everything revolved around footy. My days were built around training, matches, and recovery. I didn’t have the time or the mindset to think about anything outside of the game. But Mary… she changed that almost instantly. She had this spark, this energy that filled any room she walked into. Confident, funny, and not afraid to speak her mind — she wasn’t impressed by the spotlight or the fame that came with being an athlete. She saw straight through all that, and I think that’s what caught me off guard the most.

At first, I didn’t know what to make of her. I was used to people who treated me like the footballer, not the person. But Mary never did. She challenged me, made me think about things differently, and had a way of grounding me when life got noisy. There was something about her that made me want to slow down, to actually enjoy moments instead of rushing through them.

Over time, what started as casual conversations turned into late-night talks about everything — family, dreams, fears, and the kind of life we both wanted to build. She had this balance between strength and softness that I couldn’t help but admire. And while I was busy chasing wins and lifting trophies, she reminded me that there’s more to life than what happens on the field.

Looking back, I realize how important that was for me. The world of professional sport can be isolating. You’re constantly judged by your last performance, and there’s little room for vulnerability. But Mary brought that space into my life — the space to be human, to be more than just an athlete.

Now, when I think about where I am and what I’ve achieved, I know she played a huge part in shaping me into a better version of myself. She taught me that true strength isn’t just in how hard you train or how well you perform, but in how open you can be, how deeply you can care, and how willing you are to let someone in.

Meeting Mary wasn’t part of the plan — but like most of the best things in life, it happened when I least expected it. And in a world that often feels like it’s moving too fast, she’s been my reason to slow down, breathe, and appreciate what really matters.