~With Owen; May 23rd, 2018~

Today is the day I turned 29, the same age as Kaori, but there was something I wanted to do for my birthday and, no, it's not to spend time with Nattie and the family, I wanted to visit my father's gravesite.

I do this every year on my birthday, just so I can get it out of the way, especially since the day before was the day that he died, May 23.

I remember that my dad promised to take me to Disneyland for my birthday after Over The Edge 1999, but when I learned he died, I was a mess.

It was the worst birthday present I have ever received in my life.

Every time my birthday comes around, I get emotional because it's one of those days that I hate so much. My dad's not here anymore and I can't talk to him.

If I can just go back in time and just have a few more minutes with him, it could've been worth it.

When I called Kaori about it, she said yes and came over to my house immediately to get ready to fly up. I even had the "okay" from Hunter to go up to Calgary to visit my Uncle Bret for a few weeks and visit father's gravesite because he knew how important it is to me. I'll never be more grateful to him than I am right now.

I even had two tickets for the both of us and it's only right to do so since she's been so loving and supportive.

I even gave a call to Uncle Bret and asked him if Kaori and I could stay with him for a few weeks and he was very thrilled to say yes to me.

You see, I wanted to live in Calgary once I retire from wrestling in a few decades and I want to make that happen, but if life decides to bite me in the ass and end my career by a life-threatening injury, I'm okay with that, because at least I get to make my dad proud in everything I do.

He meant the world to me then, and he means the world to me now.

Also, I would take the bike and trek around, but because of the policy regarding motorcycles in airlines, it's not allowed, so a rental car will have to do, which I'm fine with.

~1 Day Later~

We flew up to Calgary and I can't explain how emotional it is to be back home. When Kaori stood next to me, she was smiling from ear to ear, just excited to be in Calgary with me for the first time, but she quickly realized why we're here and held my hand, comforting me.

When we went down the escalator, I saw Bret standing at the bottom of the stairs with the sign, "Owen Hart II and Kaori Hosako".

Seeing him made me happy as Kaori wrapped her hand around mine, just because of how lovely it is to see my Uncle Bret here, even though he lives in Calgary right now.

Bret: Hey Junior! Kaori!

Me: Hey, don't call me that.

We both laughed and hugged as Kaori giggled.

Bret: How you doing, Kaori?

Kaori: Happy to be here.

Bret: This is your first time in Calgary?

Kaori: Hai.

Me: Well, we're definitely gonna have to give you the tour.

Bret: Let's go to my place.

Me: Alright.

We got to Bret's car and looked to find our way to the house where Kaori and I were going to be staying at.

Bret: How are you guys as a couple? I heard you two got together.

Me: Kaori, is it okay if I talk about it?

Kaori: I trust you, Owen. I really do.

I held her hand as she smiled the cute little smile she always has.

I mean, that smile always brightens up my day whenever I feel down, especially with tomorrow coming up.

Me: We're doing pretty good. Right now, we're about five months now, I believe?

Bret: That's amazing!

Me: Yeah, we knew each other for years, so it was just a matter of time.

Bret: Probably better when Julie and I married.

Kaori: Julie?

Me: His ex-wife

Kaori: Oh.

Me: Sorry if I gave away a bit of personal info, Uncle. Not my intention.

Bret: It's alright, Owen. I'm over it.

Me: At least you're honest.

We all laughed and talked as the drive went by. I mean, seeing the countryside and the hills. I mean, this is the kinda place I wanna live. Hell yeah.

When we finally got to Bret's house, and we saw Steph in the garage waiting for us, as I really looked forward to seeing her again. She probably doesn't know about Kaori and I's relationship, but I'm okay with it, at least it's gonna be new to her.

Steph: Owen!

Me: Hey! Steph!

We hugged as Kaori came out of the car, smiling at us.

Steph: Oh, you must be Kaori.

Kaori: Hai. Nice to meet you.

They shook hands as it was great to see these two get along.

Steph: You two must be tired from all the flying.

Me: Believe me, we are.

Bret: If you want, we can let you guys rest.

Me: I would deeply appreciate it.

We were brought in and looked to see our bedroom as it turned out that Bret had two twin beds, one for Kaori and one for me.

I was okay with that, considering that Bret had the rules of whenever I was bringing a girl with me, in this case, Kaori, we were sleeping in separate beds.

There were no "buts" in his place, and I was willing to take them seriously.

Bret: You know the rules, Owen, when bringing a girl over, you sleep in separate beds. Is that fair?

Me: Kaori?

Kaori: I understand.

Me: Yes sir.

Bret: Good. You guys go rest, come out when you're ready.

Me: Thanks, Uncle Bret.

Bret: Hey, I'm always happy to let you stay here.

We hugged as Bret did the same to Kaori, who was in pure delight.

Bret left the room as it was just us.

Kaori: Nice place here.

Me: It really is. I mean, it brings back a lot of memories.

Kaori: It does?

Me: Yeah. Whenever I had to visit my dad's grave, which we'll do later on tomorrow, or if I have to stay for a few days to rest from the sport, I always come here to clear my head and just spend time with my uncle. It's beautiful up here, you know?

Kaori: It really is. We should nap. It was long flight.

Me: I agree.

Kaori: And Owen?

Me: Yeah?

Kaori: Otanjōbiomedetō. (Happy birthday.)

Me: Arigato, Kaori. I love you.

Kaori: Watashi mo aishiteruyo, (Love you too,) Owen Junior.

We then went to sleep and just basically napped the whole day.

I think Bret understood about our flight being delayed three times and then had to wait for 5 hours to fly to Calgary.

For today, I just wanted to rest up and have some fun the next day, even though it won't for what we're about to do tomorrow.

~May 24, 2018~

It was my birthday today and I was dreading it, but I know that my dad would've wanted me out of bed so we could celebrate, and I did.

So I basically got in the shower, dressed, and I saw Kaori making breakfast with Steph.

Kaori: Good Morning, birthday boy!

Me: Thanks, Kaori.

She handed me my breakfast, kissed my cheek, and I took a bite of it, which was so delicious.

Kaori: So, you know where you want to eat for dinner?

Me: To be honest, I'm not sure. I mean, there are so many good restaurants here that I can't choose.

Kaori: Want me to choose?

Me: Let me look at some, alright?

Kaori: Okay. I love you.

Me: I love you too, Kaori.

We kissed as she continued to make breakfast with Steph, but I really felt happy to be around beautiful people like Kaori and Steph.

Soon after breakfast, Kaori and I left to visit the cemetery. Luckily, whenever I was in Calgary and had to stay for a few days, my Uncle Bret saved a motorcycle for me...

...that I bought while I was here at one point, so I was going to show Kaori around Calgary, but there was a landmark I really wanted to show her, the Hart House.

We're not allowed to go in because it's Canadian government property, but we are allowed to see it from the outside.

After a few minutes, we finally saw it as I was really happy to be back here.

Kaori: This is it?!

Me: Yeah, this is it. It's great to see this again, Kaori.

Kaori: Let me take picture of you!

Me: Alright.

I walked towards the house a bit, smirked, pointed at the house, and Kaori took the picture.

Then, I gestured for her to come near me as I wanted a selfie with her with the House behind us.

She did as I put the phone up above us, getting the House in the background, and the picture was taken.

I mean, seeing the House after some time made me smile. I really wanted to go inside and relive my childhood, but I can't because it's government property.

However, I do hope that I save just enough money to where I can finally buy it and bring it back to its original glory.

This place is a historical landmark, and it should be treated with respect.

Me: Kaori.

Kaori: Hai?

Me: What if I told you that I want to buy this house in the future?

Kaori: Really? You going to buy it?

Me: I plan on it, but then again, I'm hoping to save just enough to get it off the market.

Kaori: I all for it, but is it expensive?

Me: It is, that's why I'm saving up money right now. It's true, we are paid quarter of a million per year, since we're in NXT, but when we hit the main roster, that's where the big bucks come in. I'm willing to wait until we get there, just so we can get that house.

Kaori: I okay with that, but what about me?

Me: I'll do anything for you. You know that, right?

Kaori: I know, but I feel like you shoving it down my throat.

Me: I'm sorry, Kaori. I really am. I just thought you were interested in learning more about it.

Kaori: Do not get me wrong, I am, but the way you teach me, I on the fence.

Me: If it makes you feel better, I'll take it easy. Is that alright?

Kaori: I appreciate it, Owen. I really do.

We hugged and kissed as we looked into each other's eyes for a bit before we walked back to the bike.

We went back into town and found a florist. We bought a bouquet of flowers and we were on our way to my dad's grave.

I was really dreading to come here, only because I come here every year on my birthday and it's something I don't like having the burden of, but I know for a fact that my dad would want me to visit him every chance I get.

It was after a few minutes, and we finally got to the entrance of the cemetery.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

When we went through the entrance, I had a lump in my throat.

Seeing this cemetery again, even though I do it every year, still makes me feel scared and just emotional because this is where my dad was buried.

I miss him. I really do.

Kaori: Owen. Are you okay?

Me: Brought back a lot of memories, not all of them good.

Kaori: Let me know if it too much. Promise?

Me: I will. Thank you, Kaori.

She hugged me and she kissed my cheek as I got off the bike and I helped her off as we set our helmets down, just trying to keep myself together.

I really wanted to have him remembered as I promised myself to visit his grave every year on my birthday, no matter how busy it was, I was going to visit.

I remembered exactly where it was as I was starting to get emotional as I saw the lantern, letting us know that it's there.

Me: Kaori, there it is.

Kaori: That the grave?

Me: Yeah. Let's keep going.

Kaori: Are you sure?

Me: I am.

We kept walking towards it as I was holding myself together, but Kaori held back and started washing her hands with a water bottle she had with her.

Then, she put the water out for me.

Kaori: Clean your hands?

Me: Sure.

She poured the water as I rubbed my hands together against the water and dried them.

After that, we proceeded to visit my father's grave, but when we finally reached it, I started choking up.

Me: Well, here it is Kaori.

When the grave was being made, I didn't want my name on there, knowing that people would get confused on who's who since my name is Owen James Hart II, or Owen Jr if you will, but everyone understood where I was coming from.

Before I could even come forward to the grave, Kaori held my hand, smiled, and nodded before saying to me...

Kaori: It your birthday. Go ahead.

Me: Thank you, Kaori.

I kiss her head and I looked at it before walking up.

Me: Hey dad. I'm back.

I walked up to it and kneeled down, putting my hand on the side of the rock, just looking at my dad's picture.

Me: I was really looking forward to seeing you again, but I didn't come alone this time.

I looked back at Kaori who was smiling, but also tearing up.

Me: Let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Kaori Hosako, from Japan.

She smiled and waved with a tear in her eye, as I was trying to hold myself together.

Me: I miss you so much. Wish you were here to see us, but I know that you're proud of what I'm doing so far. Not a day goes by where I don't think about you, you know?

I noticed that Kaori was being really quiet and I think she wanted to be respectful of what's happening right now.

I couldn't be more grateful to her because she's just the sweetest girl I've ever met in my life, but I felt another presence as I continued to talk to my dad's grave.

It felt comforting and warm, as if my dad was there, and thinking about that made me tear up.

Me(voice cracking): I have to go celebrate my birthday, but I will visit you next year. I promise. Goodbye dad.

I choked up as I kissed his grave, got up on my feet, and walked away before I let out my tears.

It's been 19 years since he passed. I don't think anyone but a few people could ever understand how hard it is for me to visit his site every year on my birthday, considering he died the day before.

After some time, I looked to leave before I lost my mind, but then, I looked back at Kaori, and I was stunned by what I was seeing.

Kaori was crouching down and was praying with her hands clasped together.

(A/N: Here's a dramatized version of what Owen Jr is talking about.)

Seeing this made me cover my mouth and I thought I could hold in my tears, but I couldn't as I just started crying as silently as possible.

The reason I couldn't because in Japan, this is a custom, where people wash their hands with water, like we just did before approaching my dad's grave, offer up tributes, pray to their ancestors' graves (for peace and comfort to their departed souls and the loved ones they left behind, by the way), and tidy it up out of respect before leaving.

In this case, Kaori was praying to my father's gravesite, that was foreign to her and I knew the differences between cultures, but I wasn't expecting this from her.

Kaori is the sweetest girl I have ever met and she didn't have to do this, but it's just the way she is as it made me cry even more. I just love her so much.

When she was done, I was wiping some of my tears away and tried to look strong for her, but I couldn't. Kaori saw me, got up, lightly ran up to me, and hugged me as I just bawled my eyes out.

Kaori: It okay, Owen. It okay.

Kaori kept her arms around me as tight as she could as I kept crying. I really didn't think she would do this, even if it's a foreign grave as well.

She didn't let up as Kaori kissed my cheek, still hugging me. I really didn't think she would do something like this. Kaori didn't have to because this was such a personal day for me, but in the end, that's just who she is.

When we looked at each other, Kaori had a tear in her eye, but I was a mess, just tears coming down my face. She put her hand on my face with a sad smile, saying...

Kaori: I may not have personally know him, but I wanted to. I saw how hard you taking it today, so I want to pray for some comfort on you and family. He looking down on you, proud of what you accomplish in your career and what man you have become. Remember that, okay? Sore o oboete oite kudasai. (Remember that.) For me.

She kissed my cheek as we kept the hug going, knowing how much of a mess I was from all the crying and how hard today was for me.

After a while, we released before I gave Kaori my phone as I walked up behind my dad's grave, put my hand on the top, smiled the best I could, and before she could took the picture, someone came up to us.

Calgarian: Hey, can I take the picture for you?

Me: Please do.

Kaori gave the phone to him as she came down to me, put her arm around my waist, I put mine over her shoulder, and we smiled.

When the person took the picture, I was so happy.

Me: Thank you so much.

Calgarian: You're very welcome, young man.

He went on his way as I gave the tombstone one last kiss, we put the flowers down, and we left as I wanted to get out of here before I lost my mind.

We went back to Bret and Steph's house, but I needed to be alone for a while, knowing how hard today was for me.

I was looking out the window reflecting on today, and just wiping away any tear coming out of my eyes.

Like I said many times, my birthday is the one day I hate so much. I don't think anyone will understand how hard it is for me to celebrate my birthday, when my dad died the day before.

Knowing now, my dad would've wanted me to celebrate my birthday instead of feeling sad about him not being here anymore, but it's still too much for me to live with.

Instead of letting it get to me, I decided to post the picture of Kaori and I visiting my dad's grave on my instagram, but I was given permission by Kaori to share with everyone our relationship, just because of how emotional I was about today.

After writing out the caption, I posted it, as it said...

@OwenHartJr

"Whenever my birthday comes around, I feel so much emotion because my dad died the day before. I remember the funeral like it was yesterday, even though it literally was, as I had no idea how serious it was until I saw him in that casket, and I always had trouble gaining the courage to visit every single year.

"Whenever I visit, I usually go alone, but I recently fell in love with someone who I consider my best friend, and her name is Kaori Hosako, better known in WWE as Kairi Sane, as it gave me the confidence to visit his grave this year.

"If my dad were still around, I know he would've loved to meet her and welcome her into the family. He was such a beautiful soul and just the best father I could've asked for, but he died so young at 34, and I wish I could go back in time and spend a few more minutes with him.

"And as you can see, I'm here with my girlfriend and I couldn't be more happy to have her stand by me as we visited. I really miss my dad, but I know that he's here with me, because I felt his presence as we walked up to his grave. I felt a source of comfort and warmth as it wasn't just Kaori, it was my dad. He was here with us, and I felt him as I talked to his grave.

"Other than that, it's only fitting for me to come up to Calgary to visit him on the day of my birth with my girlfriend, just to show that I've never forgotten about him. I never did and I never will. Rest In Peace, dad. I miss and love you so much 🥺😭🇨🇦"

After posting it on my Instagram, fans and many of the people I worked with gave out so much love and support, as I didn't think I would get any of it.

And many wrestlers, who were close to my dad, were very touched by my tribute, as they were:

@iamjericho

"Sweet tribute, Junior! Happy birthday🤘"

@themarkhenry

"Happy birthday, Owen Jr. RIP Owen Sr ❤️"

@undertaker

"Love it, man. Much love to you and your family. Happy birthday."

@realmickfoley

"Happy birthday, Owen. And may your dad rest in peace"

@natbynature

"Happy birthday, my cousin. RIP Owen Hart Sr 💗💕💓"

Then, I saw my mom's reply to my tribute, as she said...

@MarthaH1989

"I love you, son, and I know dad is so proud of the man you have become. Happy birthday, Owen Jr, and treat her good. You hear me?"

I replied with...

@OwenHartJr

"I will. And I love you too mom❤️😭"

I knew she would want me to reply to her so that was my way of doing it.

I love my dad, but I'm so sad that was taken away so soon, FUCK! I mean, my brother, sister, and myself had lost out on growing up with him and my dad helping me with my career and supporting me, but I know for a fact that he's proud of what I've done so far.

After a while, I felt something on my arm, as it turned out to be Kaori, who looked at me with a sad smile, holding my arm and laying her head on my pec as well.

She really comforted me with this and I can't feel more grateful to her to stand by me. I love her so much.

I love you, dad. Rest in peace, and happy birthday to me.

Almod1119