This was the heartbreaking letter from Amber-Rose Rush’s mother Lisa read at her funeral in Dunedin on Saturday.
Amber-Rose was found dead at her Corstorphine home on February 3, aged 16. A 30-year-old medical professional has been charged with her murder.
Hundreds of mourners crowded into the Hope and Sons chapel, wearing bright clothes to honour the young girl’s love of colour.
More than half those in the room were teenagers, many sobbing, still grappling with the loss of their friend.Amber-Rose was described as the "life of the party", who pretended to be tough but was a "marshmallow" on the inside.
Family members each lit a colourful candle to begin the service.Amber-Rose’s mother was too distraught to speak. Her partner Brendon read a letter Amber-Rose wrote on her mother’s birthday.
"Even though I’m a brat, and I can have a shitty attitude, you mean the world to me. Without you I don’t know where I would be."
Her sister Shantelle said the two were "partners in crime".
"She touched so many people. This is not goodbye, it’s a see you later."
Shantelle and her brother Jayden dyed their hair pink for the service, Amber-Rose’s favourite colour. Celebrant Lynne Greer said Amber-Rose was popular and had an "amazing personality".
She read a letter written by Amber-Rose’s mother: "You are the best daughter I could have hoped for. Your little attitude made you who you are, acting all tough, but a complete marshmallow on the inside.
"You were always there for us, looking after us, standing up for us. You are the glue that holds us together."
Amber-Rose was known by many nicknames including Peanut, Amby and Shorty.
"She did have a wee temper, but usually it would fire up and just as quickly extinguish.
"Like many teenagers, her phone was described as an extension of her body.
"She loved clothes and shoes, often saying she could not fit any more in her wardrobe."
One story was told of Amber-Rose meeting a homeless man outside a supermarket and using the last $10 from her pay to buy him food.
"When she got back to the car she was moved to tears."
At the end of the service her family carried the casket outside to one of Amber-Rose’s favourite songs, Eminem’s Remind Me, and hundreds of people said their final goodbyes.
