Hill County, Texas – July 9, 2025
As rescue teams continue the grim search following the devastating flood at Willow Creek Girls Camp, one grieving father has come forward with a story that has brought the entire nation to tears.
John Lawrence, a school teacher from Austin, confirmed that his 8-year-old twin daughters, Ella and Ivy, were among the young victims swept away during the mysterious flash flood that struck the summer camp three days ago.
But it’s what the girls left behind that is now shaking hearts across the country.
🕊️ A Final Gift No One Expected
Before leaving for camp, the twins had tucked a small, handmade envelope under their parents’ bedroom pillow. The envelope, discovered only after their disappearance, contained two crayon drawings — one from each girl — and a note scrawled in clumsy handwriting:
“If anything bad happens, don’t be sad. We’ll be with the stars, waiting to play again. Love you, Mommy & Daddy.”
The girls had signed it simply:
“E + I.”
The parents, unable to speak through tears, allowed a family spokesperson to share the contents publicly “so that people understand the love that was lost.”
🌊 A Tragedy That Defies Explanation
The Willow Creek flood has left at least 27 girls missing, with 12 confirmed dead, including Ella and Ivy. Authorities say that the floodwaters rose with alarming speed — despite no prior flood warnings — and struck the camp in the dead of night, taking tents, cabins, and lives with it.
“The water came like a wall,” said one survivor. “No one had time.”
The twins were last seen holding hands as they were led toward the evacuation trail by counselors. Neither made it.
😭 A Nation in Mourning
Photos of the note and the childlike drawings have since gone viral, appearing on news broadcasts and social media with the hashtag #StarsForEllaAndIvy.
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“I don’t even know these children, but I can’t stop crying.”
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“What kind of child writes something that beautiful?”
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“They left their love behind — and that’s what their parents will carry forever.”
Artists have begun painting murals of stars with “E + I” inside them. Candlelight vigils were held in Austin, Houston, and as far away as New York and London.
💬 The Father’s Only Words
John Lawrence has spoken only once since the confirmation of his daughters' deaths:
“They were light. Pure light. They were our entire world. And even now… they’re trying to comfort us.”
He added, quietly:
“I’ll keep their note in my wallet. Forever.”
🚨 Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have not ruled out infrastructure failure or foul play at the site of the camp. An internal investigation is underway to understand why flood protocols failed and why no alarm was raised until it was too late.
🕯️ A Message Etched in Grief
The Lawrence family has asked for privacy — but also for one thing: that the world never forget the names Ella and Ivy, two little girls who, even in their final moments, were thinking of the people they loved most.
“We’ll be with the stars.”
And now, every night, a family — and a nation — looks up.