Man Leaves Behind 'Yes List' for Girlfriend After He Dies. 3 Years Later, She's Checking Off the Boxes
Among the items on the list are dying her hair blonde, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and bungee jumping
"I'm grateful that he sent me that," the content creator saidThree years ago, a British man left behind a 101-item 'yes list' for his girlfriend. Now, she's starting to check off all the boxes.
Elena Ricci, 29, said her boyfriend of six years Chirag, 26, died by suicide in July 2022, according to SWNS. Just a few days later, the content creator from Birmingham said she received a letter in the mail from Chirag.
The letter contained a list of 50 things they wanted to do as a couple, and another 51 things Elena had mentioned wanting to do herself. The goal, she said, was to ensure she continued to live her life, even after he was gone.
"When I first read it I thought 'what the hell is this?' she recalled, noting that she was initially left 'angry' and in 'disbelief."
Three years later, in January 2025, Elena reread the list from Chirag, according to SWNS. She then decided to start the list, and her goal is to check off every single item.
"Now going through it again, I still feel some anger but I'm grateful that he sent me that,' she explained, adding, "I'm re-learning how to live.'
Elena has already accomplished a number of items on the list, including "enjoying her birthday' on May 11. "I enjoyed it for the first time in two years,' she explained.
Now, Elena wants to visit Stourhead, where Pride and Prejudice was filmed, and dye her hair blonde.
Chirag suggested Elena do some fun and adventurous things, such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, going to Bali and bungee jumping.
He also encouraged her to 'have an Italian summer romance before you're 30' and 'ask your mum to arrange a date for you,' as well as 'play guitar again and actually become good at it' and 'do something you hate.'
Also on the list is buying a house, which Elena hopes to work toward while accomplishing some of the other items. Chirag also recommended that Elena go to therapy, which she has already started.
Some of the items surprised Elena, who said she had only mentioned a few of them in passing over the years.
"I wanted to do something really big for my 30th like going to Thailand. I mentioned it when we first started dating. I don't know how he remembered that,' she explained. "There was also bungee jumping - I mentioned it as a joke. I'm terrified of heights.
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Elena hopes that by opening up about her grief, it can help others heal from theirs. "Life looks completely different,' she said, 'it doesn't mean you can't enjoy the life I have now.'
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
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