"I don't know why I'm crying," Mikaela Shiffrin said, wiping her eyes. "I don't even really know her."
But the 19-year-old American skiing star, who's the reigning Olympic, World Cup and world champion in slalom, was weeping with joy after receiving a video message from Emma Lundell, a 13-year-old Swedish girl who'd met Shiffrin two years ago. Emma was battling leukemia at the time, and Shiffrin recalled how the girl approached her after a race.
Shiffrin was tired and aching to return to her family, but she stopped to take a picture with Emma. Later she posted on Facebook how touched she was.
Shiffrin hadn't forgotten her biggest fan, and when a Swedish publication surprised her with an update from Emma, she was overcome with emotion.
"Today I'm not in chemotherapy anymore," a blonde Emma said with a smile. "I'm feeling much better. I got my hair back and I'm getting stronger day by day. I've been able to start cross country skiing again."
Shiffrin cried during the message, which Emma ended by saying, "I wish you all the best. I hope you stay healthy and I wish you good luck in the world championships in Vail. Good luck, Mikaela! You're the best. Love, me. I hope we meet again sometime, somewhere. Thanks for everything."
Watch the whole touching scene in the video below:
HT: For The Win
