Dear Layla,

I just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday!  I hope you have a great day and are able to celebrate with your friends and colleagues.  I also hope that through this project and Twitter, you’re able to see how many fans care about you and appreciate you.  I have been a WWE fan for a long time, but drifted away several years ago when my job began consuming my life.  I started watching again in earnest last year, and you immediately became my favourite (British sp.) Diva.  I’ve spent hours on YouTube watching old promos and matches of yours to get back up to speed.  I love your passion and enthusiasm.  You always do your best, are eager to improve, and without fail you always make me smile no matter how bad a mood I’m in.  (Plus, I love your accent!)  It was such an honor to meet you this past January at FCW, and again in Asheville in May (photos attached).  I know how busy and tiring your schedule is, so I really appreciate your willingness to interact with fans.

I know this last year has been very difficult for you.  Your injury must have been very scary and the rehabilitation process long, painful, and frustrating.  I also know how hard you worked to not only come back, but to come back looking better than ever!  I’m so appreciative of all the effort you put in to return and once again entertain us fans.  I also hope you know that your fans never forgot you while you were away.  I can really empathize with what you went through, at least mentally.  When I met you down at FCW, you said that your injury was a real learning experience, and that really struck a chord with me.  I am an attorney at a large law firm.  About the time you got injured, I was told I was not likely to make partner at my firm and should start looking for another job.  This obviously was crushing news and I spent many months worrying about whether I’d find a new job before I was forced out of my current one, what my salary would be, whether I’d have to move far away, etc.  It was certainly an emotional roller coaster.  Some days it seemed like things were so close to working out, only to fall apart the next day and be back at square one.  But it was actually a blessing and a great learning experience, as I realized that much of the unhappiness in my life came from working long hours at a job I really didn’t like.  I was making good money, but my life was passing me by and I was miserable.  And that realization is what spurred me to re-prioritize my life.  To take some time to relax and have fun.  To attend WWE events (6 so far this year).  And to fly down to Florida to meet you.  I figured 10 years from now, I’d rather have the memory of the time I met my favourite Diva than yet another regret about something I didn’t do because I was too busy with work.  And, like you, I came out of this learning experience better than ever.  About the time you made your triumphant return, I was offered a job as a law professor in Charlotte starting in August.  This is something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m very excited about it.  I feel passion and enthusiasm for my work, something I haven’t felt in years.  So, I understand completely when you say that something that appeared to be negative turned into a valuable learning experience, and I feel that our respective situations made both of us better persons.

Well, let me close by wishing you a happy birthday once again.  Have a great day and thank you so much for all your passion, hard work, and enthusiasm, as well as your willingness to take time for your fans.

Sincerely,

Jim Hefferan

@WFUJim