Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith shares heartbreaking story of love, announces pregnancy at funeral

John I love you so much I'm sorry this is very long but every time I read this over I think of more and more things I want to say I don't know where to begin or how to stop when I'm describing my love for John I want to thank you everyone for being here and for your support for my family seeing everyone these past couple of days has been so touching from Sweden to Calgary to Columbus to Boston the Midwest Florida Vermont Canada an entire family and group of friends flew here from the night of their wedding and it really means so much so on behalf of my entire family thank you for your support there aren't even words that can touch on how to describe my love for John from his messy curly hair to the Cross beat around his dark brown eyes his dimples his smile the sound of his voice his scruffy beard and the softest skin his strong skinny legs and his crazy looking hockey feet his sense of humor his humbleness his shyness his manners and his laugh I love you John so much he didn't have a bad bone in his body he never spoke badly about anyone the most humble person I've ever met zero ego quiet sweet and shy he was everything and more that I only dreamed about finding and a husband and then he made all my dreams come true but the thing with me from the day I met him is that every day I strive to be more like him he did everything he was supposed to and he did everything right he made me a better person and that I'll be forever grateful for but I'm not the perfect one he is and I'll just quickly say opposites track and I promised John if I ever had the opportunity I would go for it even though of course he didn't want me to and this will be one of the few times during this eulogy that I'm probably going to make him cringe but to Michael bé or Michael bubble as John pronounced it as he read your name on Twitter my husband had no idea who you were that day he came across your mockery him on Twitter sorry re but I had to I got your back as I said before despite losing my husband way too soon I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be his wife and here's why I met John in June of 2018 all his friends around him and his entire family so quiet so kind kind so generous so cute the second I saw him I can't explain it but I knew I was going to marry the boy next door with the Mohawk we didn't even really talk that night but I just knew and each day after that kept getting better and better we were next door neighbors in Avalon where our Story begins I would travel back and forth from my night shifts to spend the day with him and he would stayed on the shore overnight by himself waiting for me to get back down if you know John at all you know he doesn't like sleeping anywhere alone so as I got to know this about him I I knew he really liked me and that this was special he was my person and when you know you know it wasn't any more complicated than that he was and still is my soulmate and I just knew he would be from the second I saw his adorable smile and his eyes that I was so obsessed with Labor Day weekend came and summer ended and before I knew it it was September and I was digging around for my passport to go see him soon enough I was moving all my shifts around to line up with his game schedule now it's Christmas time and I convinced him to come home to surprise his family even though it was only for three days of course it was so that I could see him too December 23rd he told me to come over to his parents house because they were having a bond fire I showed up and he didn't even tell his family I was coming but this night sealed the deal for me I had never been to carne's point before I had never heard this small town just 40 minutes away from where I grew up he sends me his location because his address didn't even populate correctly on the map his family welcomed me with open arms even though they barely knew me I spent the night in his childhood twin-sized bed a few feet away from Maddie who was in his twins siiz bed too the wallpaper border was footballs and soccer balls and a lacrosse stick and of course a hockey puck this is his home and where he spends his Summers a little different from his setup in Calgary I'm thinking to myself he's far into his NHL career now and he could have it all but this is all he wants to me in his childhood bedroom two twin beds side by side with his brother he's different and he's special and this whole family is I love everything about him and this entire situation I'm 26 now and I'm still living at home too and I have to admit I was only 25 when I stopped sleeping in my twin-sized bed next to my older sister I felt like I found my match I rang in 2019 with him in Calgary Katie by side and I'm proud to say I've spent every near EP with her since in February I traveled with his family to his All-Star Weekend side note he won the skels competition for the second year in a row and I'm making him cringe again but have to but after the weekend we went to Napa Valley on our first trip together our tour guide said he was married with five kids and we had a lot of wine at this point but but I looked over at John even though it was only a few months into our relationship and I said that's going to be us one day he didn't say anything back but he held my hand tight and just smiled at me the season finished in summer of 2019 passed by my trips to Calgary got longer and longer he asked me to come for christas Christmas and to stay for the rest of the season however he asked me this on December 20th so needless to say it didn't quite happen another New Year's Eve in Calgary but not soon after Co hit and John comes home we were now Inseparable late nights playing C games and sharing sweatshirts and sweatpants with how you could find us I would go with him to the gym watch him do his workouts I'd sit with him at his dentist appointments and the D room and I sat in the chair next to him while he got his haircut he'd bring his Xbox into the room I was sleeping in for my night shifts to be closer to me it was so sweet that I didn't have the heart to tell him he was highly distracting me from getting any sleep at all but he said he just wanted to be close to me he came with me to run all my errands and sometimes drove me to work people must have thought we were so weird but we didn't think anything of it his schedule was mine and mine was his I'm jumping ahead but he even stood next to me in all of my weekly bump photos it was so funny and cute at the time and these pictures are even more special now to me we were best friends he is my soulmate the co summer of 2020 Rose around and it's been two years since the day we met John's off to Edmonton to finish the hockey season in the bubble a month goes by and he comes back home he lands at the airport and comes straight to the hospital where I was working to come see me even though it's only for 20 minutes during my break in the middle of the night and then later that week he proposed to me we get married the next summer and soon after our expecting our first baby it's everything we've ever wanted it was this Summer that John made the difficult decision to say bye to Calgary he did it to be closer to his family plain and simple he wanted his parents and his siblings to be able to see more games and spend more time with us than our baby on the way immediately everything was for our baby that was not even born yet and I know it's getting competitive but he truly was a family first guy and this is something about him I admired to the City of Calgary and the Flames organization I want to specifically thank you all for the outpouring love and support you have for John myself and our family thank you to the many of you that traveled this far to be here with us it's your memories videos tributes and kind words that I'm so tightly holding on to to one day show our babies how truly special their daddy was and how loved he was thank you for that Cal it's special a special place in John's heart and mind I really am blown away by your kindness but at the same time I'm not surprised at all because I have been lucky enough to call Calgary my home with John I got to experience first understand what kind people you are John was so kind because having lived there for about 10 years he became a calgarian as well I still plan to one day show our kids the City of Calgary and where their daddy experienced some of the best times of his life where he made lifelong friends and where he called home for 10 years thank you for being our home away from home and for loving John so so much he is forever a flame and I'm so proud of that and so proud to call calary Calgary my home away from home as well to Columbus and our Blue Jackets family I can't describe how shattered I am that I don't get more time in your amazing City with John the most underrated City I'm so glad we got to learn the Hidden Gem that is Columbus Ohio together together we had our first baby the same week we moved to Columbus for John's first season as a blue jacket we welcomed our daughter Noah Daddy's twin John instantly was the best dad in the world so cautious so gentle so loving and nurturing absolutely in love with his little girl who never missed a single one of Daddy's games Noah is John's light that shines through every day the Happ little girl with black curly hair and the darkest brown eyes you've ever seen shaped just like her daddy's Columbus thank you for taking care of us when we were experiencing so many changes at once you so quickly became home and became our family and the memories we made in Columbus as a growing family are the best years of my life without having to explain all the little details know that there were so many little signs as we got to know the city that truly made us feel reassured that we had made the right choice choosing Columbus thank you to the fifth line and the Blue Jackets Organization for your love and support and comforting words John was so proud to wear your colors every single day he knew and appreciated how special of a community you are he felt comfortable and he felt like he fit right in thank you for giving him that feeling of comfort security and belonging when he was enduring a massive change you know it's a special place when the hockey season is over but you're not quite ready to pack up and go home yet and that is Columbus the way I describ Columbus is similar to the way I describ John you have to come and find out for yourself and then once you know it you love it something else I love about John is how laidback he was about everything sometimes too laid-back most of his pregame interviews you can find him wearing my clothes my slippers my hat that had his my family's dog embroided on it ver the nice clothes I would buy him specifically for the Limelight he couldn't care less he would wake up early with the kids on even on busy game days to help me some morning I would try to get him to change before going to the ring for an interview because he was covered and spit up but he would just say no I like it there he was proud of it and off he went there was one time he was rushing rushing to get changed and came flying down the steps wearing one of my maternity sweatshirts I begged him to change out of his out of it but he argued that it fit and looked fine so then I started laying out his clothes every single night no matter what was on the schedule the next day he was so innocently sweet with everything he did I was really busy one morning trying to get the babies and myself ready for an event and John so nervously interrupted me to ask what I had picked out for him to wear as well I'll miss this so much all I ever wanted to do was take care of him and make him happy and he also never ever left the house without kissing all of us goodbye to John's teammates from growing up at hollydell to Boston College to the NHL you were a huge part of John's happiness he was a guys guy and loves being around all the boys he got to live his dream every single day and he never took a single one for granite I know all his closest friends are here today but I'd like to specifically say something to Kevin ha and Sean man You' both known John longer than I have which means you helped shape him into the man I fell in love with he looked up to you both on and off the ice you are his brothers which means you're my brothers too thank you for being there with me for one you're experiencing such a great loss as well some of my favorite memories with John have both of you right there with us whatever he was laughing at on his phone or taking pictures of I knew it was something that he's sending to one of you Sean Sean loved you so much such an effortless and genuine Bond I was honored to be a part of part of as one of a kind as John was I think you are as close as it gets to being just like him whatever you did he copied if you got a new truck we were in the truck lot the next day you got a golden doodle John got a golden doodle if you were at the dog park we were on our way if you leaving the party John was grabbing me to leave also I'm sorry to put you on the spot and I'm sure John's cringing at me right now too but know you made John the most excited for hockey that I've ever seen when you signed in Columbus and I'm heartbroken for you that he cannot be with you on the ice but I'm rooting for you every single night and I know John is too as your special guardian angel now Kevin you and your family were a huge part of John's upbringing into this crazy NHL life he looked up to you and he loved being around your brother and sisters I think summer spent at the hazes reminded him of his own family so I know this is something he cherished the friendship and bond you have created despite any distance is so so strong and [Music] admirable John would always show me the sentimental and hilarious reals that you had sent him on Instagram about Brotherhood because he was just truthfully so honored by them you've been through so much and you were never not there for John no matter what you were a great great person to your core and John loved you so much I love you guys and I want to thank you for being the best best friends to John I think that's the last time I'll make John cringe during this eulogy it's never ending another year goes by and here comes our second baby just 17 months after Noah John got his boy I've never seen JN so surprised in his life he was so proud immediately shedding happy tears and absolutely beaming he kept looking at me and saying I cannot believe you gave me a boy when we were discussing names we were going back and forth with suggestions but all of a sudden John cut me off and said I can't not name my son John if we have a boy so John it was a family name of three generations now that I'm so proud proud to be a part of John would want me to take this time to mention baby Johnny's size he's in the 93rd percentile for his weight which is something Daddy is very proud of a little unit he would always say it's funny though because he looks nothing like John his eyes are blue and his hair is lighter so far pretty straight but I do think baby Johnny has his dad's hands perfect beautiful hands I've always thought let's hope he inherits his dad's hockey hands too John I promise to have baby Johnny on skates soon and to be a dedicated hockey mom that drives any distance to all the tournaments and I'll wake up early for the games even if that means baby Johnny shows up in Winnie the Poo pajamas and sleeps on the bench just like you did popup will Coach him and trip but no pressure baby Johnny mommy and daddy will be proud of you no matter where life takes you but I have a feeling it's taking you straight to holidale to start John and I had the best six months as a family of four these will forever be the best six months of my life there's specifically one week that I will cherish forever and will be my favorite week of my life out of those six months we're actually a family of five I'm in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby a total surprise but again John was beaming and so excited I was so nervous because this was again a total surprise but his reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me even though I was driving the car after the initial excitement sank in every time he looked at me he would just say you're nuts you know that three kids Noah our oldest hasn't even turned two yet in less than three years of marriage we've created a family of five it doesn't even sound possible but I look at it as the ultimate blessing how lucky am I to be the mother of John's three babies our last one being a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances to my babies Daddy loves you all so much and you have the best daddy in the the world the early mornings with two under two were hard but John truly never ever complained he would do his workouts during nap times even though it hung over his head all morning and he drove to different ranks every week to skate depending on where we were whatever worked best for our family was exactly what John always did he never lost sight of what was most important to him which was time with his family the story I'm about to share is a perfect example of why I love John so much and why he was such a special husband father son brother and Uncle so we don't exactly have a home of our own here yet we've a beach house but it's in a small town about 1 to two hours away from where we grew up it's a very special town to us since it's where we met and where we got engaged but never quite felt like home fully given its seasonal vacation town feel the house is beautiful with everything you could need if we were ever down the shore for a few days by ourselves he'd start calling everyone in our family to see what their schedules were and if they could come down the shore with us but if they couldn't he would look at me like what are we doing here and and insist on packing up and going to wherever our siblings or our parents were so multiple duffel bags coolers of baby of the baby's food pack and plays toys monitors sound machines would all get thrown into multiple bags and off we went back home to the suburbs the beautiful house on the water would sit empty and he always left his G wagon for my brother to use for his barbacking shifts no problem John sent me this long text on August 4th and I quote I said this before and this is corny but I love the shore and the big house and the nice things that we get to give our kids but the things I enjoy more is watching how excited Noah gets when your mom comes home from work or how fired up she is when she sees my dad come in from a bike ride or how she screams Emma when we pull up to South Valley or when she spends time with Logan and Cameron she doesn't get to see them all very much during the season so it's awesome how excited she is when she spends time with them I love the shore and it's been a rough summer with all the stuff we've had to do with weddings but soon we will have our own home and we can host everyone a lot more and it's closer for everyone and then when everyone goes down the shore we'll go too but yeah I love the shore but I love how much Noah loves being with her family I really do mean it John that's not corny at all that's why I love you and it's why you're perfect so back to our childhood bedrooms we would go to our parents houses except now we're squeezing and pack and plays and Cribs strollers boxes of diapers bottles and tins of formula dumped all over the entryway and across the kitchen counter Bailey is on everyone's couch and dirty diapers and Minnie Mouse toys were everywhere ow and his hockey equipment that was airing out any space he could find my mom would come home from work around 6 to see our car in the driveway and immediately knew she was going to be making an 800 p.m. homemade dinner that John was in for all day and she always did John's mother Jane would see us and immediately used a vacation day for the following morning or he would purposely go over to her house on Thursday nights knowing she was off on Fridays everyone spoiled John but he deserved every second of it people would laugh as we slept on the couches and on the floor knowing our big house in Avalon was completely empty everyone would say why are you here in the middle of the summer and not the beach but we knew why he could talk all of us into doing whatever he wanted to do no problem what's for dinner ask John what he wants if I open a bottle of wine John will you have some he'd say just open it and we'll get more tomorrow to my parents-in-law Jane and G my baby's mom and papa you've raised Two Perfect boys and should be very proud of yourselves John and Maddie set the standard high on what it means to be good brothers and Sons best friends with one another and genuine good people I've heard stories and I know raising these two boys so close in age was no easy feet but they were both Family First always and I wonder where they got that from I pray that my relationship with my kids will mirror the relationship you have with all four of yours I also pray that my children grow up to be as close with each other as your children are I couldn't ask for anything more Jane my other mother John was the ultimate mama's boy in the best way and I loved this about him his personality is so much like yours and clearly that is so special to me and I love you ke my other dad you were John's best friend too he wanted you to be a part of everything with him road trips it was no question that you would share a hotel room together boys night out no question you were coming with him he would check in on you all throughout the day and he loved training with you this summer he loved you both so much and was so grateful for everything you sacrificed for him to Kristen although you're 10 years old you and your friends quickly became John's best friends too I remember one summer realizing I hadn't seen my own friends in weeks but I'm with yours every single day and I just laughed Katie Caitlyn is John like to call you it never felt like we were bringing around my boyfriend's little sister he invited you everywhere with us because he genuinely wanted you there part of my wedding speech to you said you cannot choose family but you can choose your friends and I'm so lucky to have you as both you girls were John and Maddie's biggest fans and I want you to know that they both knew that they loved you both so much Maddie John's number one no matter what I'm sorry Kristen and Katie but Maddie is John's favorite his favorite person in the world I've noticed in group pictures John is always hugging Maddie or has his arm around him even at weddings if I couldn't find John I'd just start looking for Matt I have to acknowledge that I feel so bad that so much of this attention has been placed on John when it was both of them but I also want to acknowledge that this attention on John was something Maddie never ever complained about everything was always John and matd Maddie was the best the best brother to John he was John's biggest ban and John was his Maddie wanted everything for John and all John wanted to do was share it with his brother and they did John delayed starting his NHL career to be with Maddie at Boston College and as I said before John was well into his NHL career but chose to come home in the Summers to his twin-sized bed to share a room with Maddie Maddie was the perfect brother I know it couldn't have been easy sharing him but all John ever wanted was Maddie I don't know how to say it but the fact that you were both together now in heaven gives me a little bit of comfort knowing you are of course together I know John would not be able to live a day without his brother he loved him so much and I will miss you Maddie I love you and I really appreciate you sharing your best friend with me and for loving our babies like your own I'm so proud to call you my brother-in-law and I want you to know I will soon be Trip's favored ant because I owe you that for being such a loving Uncle to Noah and baby Johnny I'm sorry Katie and Kristen again but I will be his favorite aunt I want to say to everyone that neither John nor Maddie suffered it makes me feel better knowing whatever silly conversation they were having just picked right back up in heaven in a Flash I can hear their laughs so well in the back of my head and something else that is getting me through is knowing they would not want to see me like this because they are both so sweet and cared so much about other people so I'm trying for them to spread that message and to be more like them kind to everyone selfless and fun to be around two loving sons and brothers and friends the best uncles in the world and the best husbands and fathers I love baby trip so much already and I'm anxiously waiting to hold him and finally have a buddy for baby Johnny to play with John and madd's little boys will grow up together and give M and puup a hard time I'm sure and I can't wait talk about being spoiled these babies are in for a treat and they deserve it mine Maddie is so proud of you the love of his entire life you spent the majority of your lives together which is something I'm so jealous of the love he had for you was incomparable you made him the happiest guy in the world every single day I'll always be here for you forever you are my sister and I love you someone wrote to me in a response to a post of a youth hockey team honoring John's Jersey but I think it applies to everyone she said if these kids emulate your husband and and his brother what a beautiful generation it will be I thought that was really nice one of John's favorite movies is the greatest showman he loved to good musical I couldn't sleep a few nights ago and I was flipping through the channels and the greatest showman was playing on TV in the middle of the night I caught the end of the movie that quoted the noblest art is that of making others happy John you made me the happiest girl in the world it's really hard for me to wrap this up because I still could go on forever about how much I led John and how special he was these words still don't touch on my love for John but no words ever will John my husband my best friend and my soulmate to Daddy you spent your entire life working hard for your family and making us so proud of you every single day but now it's my turn to make you proud as you watch down on us from heaven and I will do that for you because you deserve that you gave me the ultimate happy life and the least I can do for you now is make you proud as you watch down on us from heaven with Uncle Maddie by your side a huge part of me died but the other part of me will be stronger for our children I promise to be strong for our children and to take care of them and love them double now for you they will know how special their daddy was and they will make you proud they will know how much you love them every single day thank you for giving me the greatest gift of all which is family and your love thank you for being for the best years of my life I'm so grateful for that day I met you and every day after that thank you for choosing me as your wife and for making me a mother thank you for being my best friend I miss you so much and I love you you are my forever and I cannot wait till we're all together again please watch over us me and the kids love you and are so proud to call you ours forever for