Gary & Amie Rohan - ‘We'll Always Celebrate And Remember'

The Afl Star And His Wife Open Up About The Elation And Heartbreak Of Their Parenthood Journey

- Jackie Brygel

Watching their 1-year-old daughter Bella Rae’s face light up on her 1st birthday, Sydney Swans turned Geelong Cats star Gary Rohan and his wife Amie were overwhelmed with emotion.

Indeed, Bella’s big day this year – as it will be every year – was a time of both celebration and remembrance – a day that will forever serve as a reminder of the true meaning of love and courage.

On April 12, 2018, Amie and Gary welcomed blue-eyed Bella into the world, only to farewell her identical twin sister, Willow Nevaeh, just five hours after the birth.

Amie and Gary’s “beautiful little angel” taught the young couple a great deal in her short time on this earth. And Amie, 25, and Gary, 27, now know one thing for certain – they will always be grateful for having known brave baby Willow.

“She was a little fighter, that’s for sure,” reflects Gary. “She taught us to face all challenges head-on.”

“Because of Willow, we value every second of life,” agrees Amie, her voice breaking. “She was a breath of fresh air for every minute she was here – the most beautiful wispy willow, blowing in the breeze for the most precious time.”

To former high-school sweethearts Amie and Gary, married in a Hamilton Island ceremony in 2016, starting a family as soon as they could was certainly part of the plan.

“Gary and I have known each other our whole lives,” says Amie. “We’re both from quite big families and have always loved kids.

“We both thought, ‘When it happens, it happens. It’s just meant to be’. I actually found out I was pregnant the week of the elimination final between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans in Melbourne. I didn’t know if I should tell Gary because he had such a big week, but he guessed it anyway.