Derek Hough says goodbye to a rollercoaster of a year and looks forward to the coming year together with his wife and dance partner Hayley Erbert at his side.
In an Instagram recap video posted on Sunday, the professional dancer and Dancing with the stars judge, 38, edited clips of himself and his wife, 29, throughout the year, including moments from their August weddingtheir Symphony of Dance tour and Hayley in recovery after her suffered from a cranial hematoma early December.
“2023,” Derek wrote, beginning his tribute to the momentous and difficult year. “Despite the uncertainty, this year has been a canvas of reflection, painted with the colors of life’s challenges and joys. From creative passion projects to the unforgettable celebration of love at our Jack and Jill bash. We’re going on a national tour, a whirlwind of planning, creating and performing in front of thousands.”
The dancer and Hairspray Live! alum then paid tribute to other great moments throughout the year, both in writing and in video, with clips from each month of the couple’s incredibly busy year.
While the video opens with a clip of Hayley walking slowly wearing a brain injury helmet, the video quickly resets to January to show Derek and Hayley dancing together, their performance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in February, their joint bachelorette party and bachelorette party in April, their honeymoon in September, and Derek’s return to Dancing with the stars same month.
“An honorable role on the judging panel of ‘Dancing With The Stars’, and a highlight paying tribute to the legendary Len Goodman. Choreography awards and recognitions. The highlight of this year’s journey was expressing our love for each other in a breathtaking fairytale wedding , followed by an enchanting honeymoon in Italy,” he wrote. “These experiences are treasures of gratitude, reminding us of the splendor and fleetingness of life.”
The video, set to an orchestral version of Bastille’s Pompeii, ends in December, the month that took a disturbing turn for the dancing couple due to Hayley’s health problems. Derek shared a photo of him and his wife kissing in front of a Christmas tree as Hayley’s head is wrapped after her craniectomy.
Ultimately, the recap ends with the same clip of Hayley walking from the beginning and a message to his followers about taking advantage of every day given as life can be unpredictable and short.
“Each day of our extraordinary journey teaches us to cherish every fleeting moment,” Derek wrote.
Under the pole, the dancer’s closest friends and family members sent the couple love and repeated the message Rock of Ages message from the actor about taking every given moment and not wasting it.
“Your 2023 can be a lesson for all of us. Live each month to the fullest. You never know what the next one will bring,” wrote a member of The Bucket List Family and one of Derek’s groomsmen, Garrett Gee.
“Moments are processed into memories, memories shape our lived experiences and our experiences shape our future selves,” replied Derek’s sister, Julianne Hough. “This year has been an extraordinary year that has changed all of us who have been around you! I love you two so much and am grateful that we can do this life together ❤️”
“❤️To both of you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻,” Jenna Dewan wrote.
A few days before Christmas, Derek shared an update about Hayley’s condition after undergoing a procedure to address the cranial hematoma.
According to the Mayo ClinicA cranial hematoma is an accumulation of blood in the skull. It is usually caused by a blood vessel bursting in the brain. It can also be caused by trauma such as a car accident or a fall. The blood can accumulate in the brain tissue. or under the skull, pressing on the brain. Some head injuries, such as injuries that cause only a brief period of unconsciousness, may be minor. However, an intracranial hematoma is potentially life-threatening. It usually requires immediate treatment. This may include surgery to remove the blood.”
Hayley, who Derek said was “disoriented” after a performance on December 6, was rushed to hospital where doctors made the discovery. Fortunately, medical staff were able to take life-saving measures and remove the blood from the brain.
“It is with immense relief, gratitude and overwhelming joy that I would like to share that Hayley’s cranioplasty surgery was successfully completed as planned,” he wrote in a Dec. 21 post.
“My sincere appreciation goes to the exceptional medical team. Their expertise and steady hands were crucial during this journey and ensured a smooth and successful operation. Especially Dr. Mai who not only performed the operation but was also the one who saved her life weeks ago,” Hough said at the time.
“We are deeply touched by the outpouring of support and prayers from each of you. Your thoughts, prayers and positive energy have been a source of strength and comfort to us during this challenging time. It is truly heartwarming to know how much love and care surrounds us,” he captioned the photo of himself sitting in a chair next to his wife’s hospital bed.
For more information about Hayley’s recovery and the couple’s relationship, check out the links below.
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