FamilyToday Contributors – FamilyToday https://www.familytoday.com Here today, better tomorrow. Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:26:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.3 https://wp-media.familytoday.com/2020/03/favicon.ico FamilyToday Contributors – FamilyToday https://www.familytoday.com 32 32 Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi Welcome First Baby Together Via Adoption https://www.familytoday.com/family/millie-bobby-brown-and-jake-bongiovi-welcome-first-baby-together-via-adoption/ Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:30:54 +0000 https://www.familytoday.com/?p=72218 The couple announced they welcomed their first baby via adoption on Instagram.

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“Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown and her husband Jake Bongiovi have just stepped into the next chapter of their love story — parenthood. The 21-year-old actress and the 23-year-old son of Jon Bon Jovi announced on Instagram that they’ve adopted their first child together.

“This summer, we welcomed our baby girl through adoption,” the couple shared in a joint post on Thursday. “We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy. And then there were 3.”

The sweet surprise comes just months after the pair tied the knot in May 2024. Brown was 20 at the time and Bongiovi was 22. The two first sparked romance rumors back in 2021 when Bongiovi posted a selfie with the actress. Later, Brown revealed they first connected online. “We met on Instagram,” she told Wired. “And we were friends for a bit, and then, what can I say?”

The couple’s romance quickly deepened. They made their red-carpet debut in March 2022 and got engaged in April 2023. Brown explained on the Call Her Daddy podcast how she knew Jake was the one:

“We’ve been together for four years. When we moved in together, we had dogs together, and we were taking care of our animals, and we started living this day-to-day life, I thought, ‘Oh, I really don’t think I could ever see you as anything else. I don’t want to be with anyone else ever again. I don’t want to date, I don’t want to meet anyone, I want you.’”

She added that the two grew closer as they discussed life’s bigger questions. “When we started talking about politics and how we want to raise our kids, we started talking about really, really big things that I’ve never spoken about, and I’m already very young, so I’ve never spoken about that with boys anyway. But to be able to even think about those things, I was like, ‘S---. Maybe I do want to be with him forever.’”

When Jake proposed, she said, “It made sense. Everything aligned.”

Brown has been open about wanting to start a family early, following in the footsteps of her own parents. “My mom actually had her first child at 21 and my dad was 19. This has been my thing since before I met Jake. I wanted to be a mom just like the way my mom was to me,” she said on the Smartless podcast.

She added, “Jake knows how important it is to me. Of course, I want to focus on really establishing myself as an actor and as a producer, but I also find it’s so important to start a family for me personally.”

Bongiovi, meanwhile, had his own boundary. “Jake was like, we cannot do that until we get married,” she revealed. “So that was his thing. And my thing was, I really want a family. I really want a big family. I’m one of four. He’s one of four. So, it is definitely in our future.”

Brown also shared her perspective on adoption, saying she doesn’t see it as any different than having a biological child.

The young couple’s love story has unfolded quickly, but with deep roots. From Instagram messages to a wedding in Italy, to now cradling their new baby girl, Brown and Bongiovi are embracing this next chapter wholeheartedly.

As Brown summed it up, the dream of becoming a mother was always part of her journey — and with Jake by her side, that dream is now a reality.

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Bride’s Face Paralyzed on Wedding Day After Stress Triggers Rare Illness https://www.familytoday.com/relationships/brides-face-paralyzed-on-wedding-day-after-stress-triggers-rare-illness/ Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:30:38 +0000 https://www.familytoday.com/?p=72227 Her $50,000 “dream day” turned into a medical nightmare.

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What’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life can sometimes take an unexpected turn. For Chicago bride Kelly Stech, her $50,000 “dream day” became a medical nightmare when she woke up unable to smile on her wedding day.

“I felt like it was the happiest day of my life, but I didn’t want people to think I looked miserable because I couldn’t smile on my wedding day,” Stech, 30, told Kennedy News. “It’s hard to believe this happened.”

In early October 2023, just days before tying the knot with her husband Benjamin, Stech began to feel unwell. “Exactly a week before the wedding, I was starting to feel under the weather. The following day, at work, I felt like I had an ear infection coming on,” she recalled. “It hurt to swallow, and I felt a popping sensation in my ear.”

Doctors initially told her everything looked fine, but her condition quickly worsened. “I woke up that Monday, and my ear was completely swollen and blistered. I went back to urgent care and they put me on a steroid and antibiotic for cellulitis,” she said. “I woke up the next day, and the pain was worse.”

“I was vomiting non-stop, I couldn’t keep anything down,” she remembered. “My whole body felt like it had been hit by a truck. Then I was lying on the couch later on and making silly faces on Snapchat and couldn’t feel the right side of my face moving.”

By the time of her rehearsal dinner, Stech was in the hospital. Doctors first thought she had Bell’s Palsy, but she was later diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome — the same rare condition pop star Justin Bieber battled in 2022. It’s a neurological disorder caused by shingles affecting the facial nerves, often leading to paralysis and hearing problems.

“My wedding stress definitely caused this,” she admitted. “The financial stress of it definitely takes a toll.”

Even with her health in crisis, Stech refused to cancel her wedding. She reduced her guest list from 200 to 50 and moved forward with her big day.

“I barely slept the whole night. There was barely any movement in my mouth,” she explained. “I could smile without teeth, but if I tried to smile with teeth, it was definitely crooked. I wanted to go ahead with the wedding either way.”

Her bridal party and makeup artist did their best to cover up the paralysis, but as the day wore on, things got worse. “I couldn’t go around taking photos anymore, my eyelid was paralysed, I couldn’t blink,” she said. “I was holding a handkerchief up to my eye to keep it shut. Everybody kept saying, ‘Sorry you’re going through this.’”

“I couldn’t drink any alcohol. I was in so much pain and so tired,” she added.

Thankfully, Stech has since regained full movement in her face, and now, eight months pregnant, she looks back with perspective. “We got to experience first-hand early on what ‘in sickness and health’ actually meant,” she said.

Now she’s urging other brides not to let stress ruin what should be a joyful occasion. “I tell friends stressed about wedding planning, be grateful you’re in this position and don’t let it stress you out, you don’t want to end up paralysed on your wedding day,” she warned. “Don’t stress about your shoes or the weather.”

For Stech and her husband, their love story proved that even in the hardest moments, commitment, support, and perspective matter more than perfection.

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Groom Mistakenly Says Ex’s Name During Vows and the Bride’s Reaction Stuns Everyone https://www.familytoday.com/relationships/groom-mistakenly-says-exs-name-during-vows-and-the-brides-reaction-stuns-everyone/ Sat, 23 Aug 2025 13:08:27 +0000 https://www.familytoday.com/?p=72194 Andrew Fildes made a mistake no groom ever wants to make.

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Weddings are supposed to be unforgettable, but one couple in England ended up with an unforgettable memory for all the wrong reasons. Still, the way they handled it shows what love — and a good sense of humor — can do.

Andrew and Rebecca Fildes were tying the knot in the English countryside in 2023 when Andrew made a mistake no groom ever wants to make. As he nervously repeated his vows, he accidentally called his bride by his ex-girlfriend’s name.

The viral moment, captured on TikTok and posted on July 28, shows the celebrant prompting, “I take you, Rebecca Sarah Joan Qureshi…” But instead of saying Rebecca’s full name, Andrew replied: “I take you, Sarah…”

Cue the gasps, followed quickly by giggles.

@scalesfeathersandfur Oh dear 🫣#weddingday #weddingvowsgonewrong #nohedidnt ♬ original sound - bec_Fildes

Rebecca, to her credit, didn’t storm off or burst into tears. She laughed. The guests laughed. Even Andrew laughed once he realized his blunder.

“His ex-girlfriend’s name is Sarah, [and] so is one of my middle names,” Rebecca explained to Newsweek. “I understood he was nervous and slipped up.”

She added that the mix-up was just part of their personalities: “I’m a lot more outgoing and sociable. Andi [short for Andrew] is more introverted and sensible.”

Andrew admitted he wasn’t even aware of what he had said. “I wasn’t even aware of it when I said it. Rebecca just looked at me and I thought ‘What have I said wrong’ and she corrected me. My brother put his hand on his face and my son shook his head and I thought, ‘I’ve clearly got something wrong.’”

Rebecca reminded him afterward that he had forgotten to say her name. “He didn’t even realize he’d left ‘Rebecca’ out,” she recalled. “I told him and he said, ‘I’m so sorry, I was so nervous that I’d do something wrong.’ We laughed about it.”

Though Andrew’s ex was named Sarah, he clarified that they had been separated for ten years. “It’s just one of those things but it’s quite a common name,” he said.

Rebecca has kept her sense of humor about the slip, even joking, “I keep saying he owes me a proper wedding now, where he gets my name right.”

The TikTok video — cheekily captioned “Oh dear” — has now been viewed more than 38,000 times, sparking a wide range of reactions online.

Some people were sympathetic: “To be fair I think he just got HER names in the wrong order due to anxiety. He looks besotted with her. Congratulations,” one viewer wrote. Another noted, “things like this happen when you are nervous…”

Others weren’t so forgiving: “Oh no, that’s awful. I would have been so upset.” One person even called it “instant romance cancellation,” while another admitted, “I’d be bringing this up for the next 50 years.”

The couple has even laughed about the comparisons to the infamous Friends scene where Ross accidentally says “Rachel” instead of “Emily.”

Despite critics saying the slip was a bad sign, Rebecca isn’t fazed. She’s even made follow-up TikToks poking fun at the situation, showing her wedding ring with the words, “It will or won’t.”

In the end, while Andrew may have flubbed his vows, it’s clear Rebecca said “I do” not just to the man she loves, but also to the humor and grace it takes to build a marriage that can weather a few mistakes — even big ones at the altar.

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Son of Bowling Billionaire Cheats With Former Nanny, Shocks Wife With Divorce on Christmas Day https://www.familytoday.com/relationships/son-of-bowling-billionaire-cheats-with-former-nanny-shocks-wife-with-divorce-on-christmas-day/ Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:27:43 +0000 https://www.familytoday.com/?p=72176 Peter and Clara Goodwin, who married in 2014, share four children ranging from 2 to 9 years old.

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When most people think of Christmas morning, they picture joy, laughter, and family gathered together. But for Cara Goodwin, a 40-year-old mother of four, last Christmas was anything but merry. According to court documents, her husband, Peter Goodwin — son of Virginia billionaire William Goodwin — chose that moment to tell her he wanted a divorce, right as she sat cradling their four-month-old baby.

The shocking revelation didn’t just break Cara’s heart; it unfolded in front of their other three children, who watched as their father stormed out, shouting obscenities.

The reason for the split? Peter, also 40, admitted to an affair with the family’s former nanny, 27-year-old Annette Lombard. Annette wasn’t just a temporary hire. She joined the Goodwins in 2019 while still a college student and quickly became a part of the family. During the pandemic, she lived with them full-time, caring for the children and even being called their “sister” by the kids.

Eventually, Peter also brought her into his business, promoting her to vice president. By the time Cara raised concerns about their closeness in 2020, Peter allegedly brushed her off.

Fast-forward to 2023. Just weeks after Cara gave birth to their youngest child, Peter began asking for more “independence” and time for “self-care.” That “self-care” soon revealed itself as luxury trips with Annette — from five-star hotels in Florida to getaways in Wyoming. Court papers say the two were together within six days of Peter leaving his wife.

The scandal has captured attention not only because of its betrayal but also because of the striking contrasts between Peter and Cara.

Peter’s Instagram page, under the name “timetodrive5,” features sports cars, Rolex watches, and a tagline that reads, “just trying to keep the revs high.” He has thousands of followers who see him flaunting his fast-paced lifestyle.

Cara’s page, on the other hand, reflects her career as a respected child psychologist and founder of “Parenting Translator.” With over 135,000 followers, she shares parenting advice, research-based insights, and encouragement for families. While Peter showcased Ferraris, Cara was posting about how to raise children with patience, love, and resilience.

Peter filed for divorce in January 2025. The couple, who married in 2014, share four children ranging from 2 to 9 years old. Court documents reveal that they’ve worked out a shared custody agreement, but the legal battle over finances is far from over. Cara is seeking half of the marital assets, child support, and $500,000 to cover legal fees.

The case also shines a spotlight on Peter’s father, William Goodwin, one of Virginia’s most prominent businessmen and philanthropists. Known for his investments in luxury resorts and his $250 million donation to cancer research, William has long been a respected figure. Now, however, his family name is tied to a very public and painful scandal.

Behind all the headlines and luxury lifestyles lies the heartbreak of a family in turmoil. Four young children are now caught in the middle of a bitter divorce, watching their parents’ marriage unravel in the public eye.

It’s a sobering reminder that money and status can’t shield anyone from the pain of broken trust. At the end of the day, the most valuable things we can give our families aren’t Rolexes or lavish vacations — but faithfulness, respect, and love that lasts.

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Parents Leave 10-Year-Old Son Behind at Barcelona Airport So They Wouldn’t Miss Their Flight https://www.familytoday.com/family/parents-leave-10-year-old-son-behind-at-barcelona-airport-so-they-wouldnt-miss-their-flight/ Fri, 08 Aug 2025 18:24:04 +0000 https://www.familytoday.com/?p=72158 An airport worker says parents called relative to pick up 10-year-old from Barcelona terminal.

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In a story that has stunned people around the world, a couple is being investigated for child abandonment after they left their 10-year-old son at Barcelona’s Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport so they wouldn’t miss their flight.

According to The Sun, the incident happened on a Wednesday when the family was preparing to board a flight to their home country. But when airport staff discovered that the boy’s passport had expired—and that he also required a visa—he was not allowed to board.

Rather than staying behind, the parents made the shocking decision to board the plane anyway with their younger child, leaving their 10-year-old son behind and calling a relative to pick him up later.

A terminal worker at the airport, who goes by Lilian and shared the story on TikTok, couldn’t believe what she saw.

“His passport in the country was expired, so the child was traveling with a Spanish passport but the Spanish passport needed a visa,” she explained. “As they did not have a visa, they left the child at the terminal and called a relative to come and pick him up.”

Lilian added, “How is it possible for parents to leave their ten-year-old son at the terminal because he cannot travel due to documentation issues? They call a relative but the relative may take half an hour, about an hour, about three hours—and they take the flight so calmly and leave the child behind!”

@limasin41 Historias de aeropuerto surrealistas!! #aeropuerto #abandono #historytime #flightdispatcher #viralvideos #paratiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ♬ original sound - Limasin

Airport staff found the boy alone in the terminal and immediately alerted authorities. “He told them that his parents were on the plane on their way to their home country, going on vacation,” Lilian said.

Police then contacted the plane's pilot, who confirmed that he had been told there was “a minor in the car park.” He asked passengers "if someone had left a child in the terminal, and no one had answered." The parents, who were accompanied by another younger child, were eventually located. They were then taken to a police station to get their son.

Spain’s national police, Guardia Civil, and the local Catalonia police, Mossos d’Esquadra, were both involved. The child was taken to safety while his parents were questioned at the police station. Authorities have confirmed the couple is being reported for child abandonment.

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Christie Brinkley Recounts Devastating Moment She Learned About Ex-Husband’s Affair With a Teen: ‘It Nearly Broke Me’ https://www.familytoday.com/relationships/christie-brinkley-recounts-devastating-moment-she-learned-about-ex-husbands-affair-with-a-teen-it-nearly-broke-me/ Thu, 31 Jul 2025 21:57:00 +0000 https://www.familytoday.com/?p=72122 The supermodel describes the public revelation of husband's affair in her bestselling memoir 'Uptown Girl.'

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When Christie Brinkley found out her husband was cheating, she says it "nearly broke her." The iconic Sports Illustrated model recently opened up to Social Life Magazine about one of the hardest moments in her life—discovering her fourth husband’s affair.

Brinkley, now 71, is back in the spotlight thanks to her memoir Uptown Girl, which dives deep into both the highs and lows of her life. While recording the audiobook version, she found herself reliving painful memories. “There were parts where I thought, ‘Please don’t cry,’” she shared. “I tried to keep [my voice] level, but [the publisher] let me be. Let my voice crack. Let it show.”

One of the most emotional chapters describes how she learned about her fourth husband, Peter Cook’s, infidelity. In 2006, Brinkley was giving a commencement speech when a man approached her with news that hit her “with the weight of a wrecking ball, delivered in barely a whisper.” At first, she didn’t believe it. But as she looked at her husband—and then at her son Jack’s panicked face—she knew something was terribly wrong.

“I looked out into the crowd,” she said. “I saw mouths agape. They all knew... I felt faint, exposed… like the floor might drop beneath me.”

The man didn’t have a business card but told her, “I’m a cop at the Southampton station.” Later, Brinkley would discover that the officer was the father of the 18-year-old girl involved with her husband.

Back home, friends encouraged her to search the family computer. “It was like something out of Charlie’s Angels,” she wrote. What they found shocked her: “A creepy labyrinth of files and photos,” and emails that revealed even more betrayal. “It was so insane that it was almost funny,” she added. “Soon enough, the three of us were doubled over in laughter, as printouts... piled up on the floor faster than trash outside a greasy takeaway.”

Brinkley and Cook’s divorce turned into a six-year media circus. But for her, it was about one thing—protecting her kids. “A mother fighting to protect her cubs,” Social Life described it.

Today, Christie finds peace in her garden. “We’re not salon blondes. We’re hands-in-the-dirt women. We bloom in the garden,” she said, comparing herself to Pamela Anderson, who also found new strength in recent years.

And yes, Christie still believes in love. “I find that love is the strongest thing in the whole world,” she told Fox News Digital. “I love love – I feel like my life is so full of love.”

Whether or not romantic love finds her again, she says she’s content. “I consider my life to be very full of love.”

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Family Vacation Drama Erupts Over Grandma’s Request For Grown-Kids-Only Dinner https://www.familytoday.com/family/family-vacation-drama-erupts-over-grandmas-request-for-grown-kids-only-dinner/ Mon, 28 Jul 2025 23:56:57 +0000 https://www.familytoday.com/?p=72104 Internet debate arises over family loyalty after mother tries to exclude her kids' spouses and her own grandkids.

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Family vacations are supposed to bring everyone closer—but sometimes, they come with a little drama. That’s exactly what happened when one grandmother’s request for a kid-free, spouse-free dinner stirred up emotions and divided opinions online.

According to a 40-year-old woman who shared her story on Reddit, her mom is planning and paying for a family vacation. Everything sounded great—until her mom requested that one dinner during the trip be just for her and her adult children, with no grandchildren or spouses invited.

“It’s not a fancy restaurant, but she isn’t confident the kids can behave up to her standards … I am not either,” the woman admitted in her Reddit post.

While the woman said she understood the idea of a simple “sibs only” dinner with their mom, she felt torn about leaving her husband and children behind—especially since her husband has always felt excluded by her mother.

“He was noticeably let down,” she wrote. “I feel like I should just go and enjoy it, but now I'm thinking of 20 years of him being excluded and feeling sad and disloyal.”

That’s where the internet stepped in. Thousands of Reddit users shared their thoughts—and let’s just say, opinions were strong.

“YTA for allowing your mom to treat your husband as [an] other for decades, especially when he has lost both of his parents,” one user wrote, highlighting that the issue isn’t just about one dinner—it’s about a pattern of exclusion.

Others felt sympathy for the mom’s request, noting that it’s only one meal out of an entire vacation. “Give her this one evening,” one person suggested. “You’re taking this woman’s [money] in the form of a vacation, so if she wants one dinner with her kids, then why not?”

Some people encouraged compromise, like going to the restaurant as couples on another night and letting grandma babysit the grandkids.

Experts also weighed in. Randi Crawford, a life coach from San Diego, said this situation is really about recognizing life’s changing seasons. “Excluding spouses on a group trip is tone-deaf, and it puts everyone in an awkward position,” she told Fox News Digital. “This isn't about one dinner. It's about recognizing that your children are no longer solo acts. They come as a team.”

Psychotherapist Melanie Williams added that there may be deeper issues at play. “The mother is trying to relive a fantasy of her kids still being young,” she said. She encouraged the adult children to speak up and set healthier boundaries while also being mindful of how financial dynamics can complicate things.

Ultimately, the Reddit poster admitted she’d love an uncomplicated dinner with just her mom and siblings—but given the history, it’s hard to ignore how her husband might feel.

It’s a story many families can relate to: the delicate balance between honoring parents, including spouses, and keeping the peace. Maybe the best vacations are the ones where everyone gets a little of what they need—even if it means having a tough conversation or two before the trip.

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Wisconsin Graduate Student Eliotte Heinz Found Dead in Mississippi River After Disappearing From Waterfront https://www.familytoday.com/living/wisconsin-graduate-student-eliotte-heinz-found-dead-in-mississippi-river-after-disappearing-from-waterfront/ Thu, 24 Jul 2025 18:50:42 +0000 https://www.familytoday.com/?p=72086 22-year-old Eliotte Heinz's body was found more than a dozen miles from where she was last seen.

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Authorities found the body of missing Wisconsin graduate student Eliotte Heinz in the Mississippi River, following four heartbreaking days of searching after she disappeared during a walk home from a local bar.

Eliotte, a student in the mental health counseling program at Viterbo University, disappeared early Sunday morning after leaving Broncos Bar around 2:30 a.m. Surveillance footage later captured her walking along the riverfront and heading in the direction of her apartment, which was less than a mile away. But she never made it home.

On Wednesday, authorities confirmed that her body was discovered in the Mississippi River near Brownsville, Minnesota, more than 12 miles from where she was last seen. Police are still investigating and waiting for autopsy results to determine the official cause of death.

“This was not the outcome we had hoped for,” La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Eliotte’s family, friends, and all those who knew Eliotte.”

Eliotte’s mother, Amber Heinz, described her daughter as “beautiful inside and out,” adding, “She has got the biggest heart and unending kindness for everyone.” She also noted the overwhelming community response during the search. “I think that is noted by how many people have showed up for her,” she said.

Her disappearance sent shockwaves through the La Crosse area, prompting a multi-day search involving family, friends, volunteers, and law enforcement. Her phone was later discovered by friends, helping narrow the search efforts.

In a heartfelt message shared by Viterbo University, the Heinz family thanked the community: “The outpouring of support in the search for Eliotte has been overwhelming, and we are deeply grateful for the kindness, prayers, and encouragement from the community and beyond.”

Viterbo University President Rick Trietley expressed sorrow on behalf of the campus. “We are heartbroken by this loss and extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends. There are no words that can ease the pain of losing someone so young, with so much life ahead of her.”

The university plans to hold a memorial service in Eliotte’s honor this fall, once students have returned to campus.

Questions remain surrounding the circumstances of Eliotte’s death. FBI investigators have been reviewing surveillance footage, speaking with witnesses, and checking for any phone or financial activity to determine what happened and whether she was alone.

The tragedy has also renewed concern about river safety in La Crosse, especially for students. Since 2006, a volunteer-based “River Watch” program has patrolled the area near the river during the academic year to prevent accidents. It’s unclear whether the program was operating the night Eliotte went missing, as the school year had not yet begun.

Eliotte’s loss is being deeply felt by her family, her university, and the wider La Crosse community. She was a bright, caring young woman with a future dedicated to helping others—and her memory will continue to inspire those who knew and loved her.

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Taylor Swift’s Dad Scott Undergoes Life-Saving Heart Surgery https://www.familytoday.com/family/taylor-swifts-dad-scott-undergoes-life-saving-heart-surgery/ Mon, 21 Jul 2025 21:54:00 +0000 https://www.familytoday.com/?p=72059 The pop superstar, her brother Austin and their mom Andrea were all by his side during his procedure.

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Taylor Swift has always been open about how much her family means to her—and now, her tight-knit bond with her parents is once again front and center.

Her dad, Scott Swift, recently underwent a major heart procedure—a quintuple bypass surgery. At 73 years old, Scott didn’t have a heart attack, but his doctor spotted something during a routine check-up that led to the surgery. Thankfully, he’s now “feeling just great,” a spokesperson confirmed.

Taylor, 35, didn’t face this scary moment alone. Her mom, Andrea, 67, and brother, Austin, 33, were right there with her during the surgery and recovery. The family stood strong together, just as they have through other health challenges.

Scott and Andrea have been married for 37 years and have supported Taylor’s dreams from the beginning. When Taylor was just 14, Scott moved the entire family to Tennessee so she could pursue her dream of becoming a singer. It’s clear that kind of dedication and love still runs deep.

Long before she was headlining sold-out stadiums on her Eras Tour, Scott was cheering her on at karaoke nights. “She was always singing music when she was 3, 5, 6, 7 years old,” he told UDaily back in 2009. “It’s Taylor doing what she likes to do.”

That kind of fatherly love hasn’t gone unnoticed. During her tour stop at London’s Wembley Stadium, Scott even handed out chicken tenders to fans during Taylor’s performance of “Style.” One lucky fan shared the moment online, writing, “Tell your dad I said thank you, it was just what I needed.”

This isn’t the first time the Swift family has faced a health battle together. Andrea has been fighting cancer for several years. Taylor first shared the news of her mom’s diagnosis in 2015, writing to fans, “She wanted you to know why she may not be at as many shows this tour. She’s got an important battle to fight.”

In 2019, Taylor opened up in an essay for Elle, writing, “Both of my parents have had cancer. It’s taught me that there are real problems and then there’s everything else.” She also revealed Andrea was later diagnosed with a brain tumor while undergoing cancer treatment.

Andrea’s illness inspired Taylor’s emotional song “Soon You’ll Get Better,” a moving track from her Lover album that highlights the pain of watching someone you love go through something so difficult.

But through it all—the health scares, the long recoveries, the ups and downs—one thing remains steady: the Swift family’s unshakable love for one another.

Scott’s successful surgery and strong recovery are a reminder that even superstars like Taylor Swift lean on the strength of their family during life’s toughest moments. And for the Swifts, it’s clear—family really does come first.

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Groom’s ‘Humiliating’ Wedding Day Prank on Bride Sparks Fierce Backlash https://www.familytoday.com/relationships/grooms-humiliating-wedding-day-prank-on-bride-sparks-fierce-backlash/ Mon, 21 Jul 2025 21:54:00 +0000 https://www.familytoday.com/?p=72065 The alarming act was captured by the wedding photographer after he attempted to create a special wedding shot for the…

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Weddings are supposed to be about love, joy, and the start of a beautiful journey together. But for one bride, her big day took a shocking turn—and not in a good way. A viral video of a groom dropping his bride into a pool during their wedding photoshoot is making waves online, and not the kind you'd want on your special day.

The moment was captured by wedding photographer Emad Joe in Egypt. What was supposed to be a romantic photo of the groom holding his bride as they leaned over a pool ended in disaster when the groom appeared to intentionally let her go. The bride plunged into the water, her dress soaking and heavy, while her husband threw his hands up in what looked like celebration.

“A look of sheer horror could be seen across her face as she emerged from the water,” the article described. Meanwhile, her groom seemed to cheer “with delight at her suffering.”

Unsurprisingly, the internet exploded with outrage. Social media users, especially women, were quick to call out the groom’s behavior. One commenter wrote, “This is grounds for an annulment.” Another pointed out, “She could have drowned; all that fabric from the wedding dress in the water is no joke.”

Experts are weighing in, too. Psychologist Carly Dober didn’t mince words. “Unless this has been specifically spoken about beforehand, and she’s given her consent to be in on the joke, this behavior is disrespectful and alarming,” she told news.com.au.

Dober emphasized that weddings are often a lifelong dream for many brides. “Ideally, all parties involved look back on the day with good feelings and good memories,” she said. “Behavior such as this can highlight the disparities in some heterosexual relationships where women’s feelings aren’t valued.”

Others see the incident as part of a troubling trend. From smashing cake in a bride’s face to making crude jokes during vows, more and more grooms are turning their weddings into stages for public humiliation. “Why do men constantly want to embarrass their wives?” one woman asked online.

Psychosexual therapist Lauren Muratore echoed these concerns. “Embarrassing any human being is bullying,” she said. “There’s no place for degradation ever between couples.” She added, “It’s showing a power balance and that there is a massive lack of respect in the relationship.”

Dober also warned that viral stunts like this can set a bad example. “This is not something that we want to encourage more people to do,” she stressed. “If this isn’t a joke between them, and this is something that he’s done without her consent, there can be pretty catastrophic emotional consequences.”

Trust, as Muratore pointed out, is fragile. “It takes a long time to build back up and a willingness of two partners,” she said. And when someone “purposely erodes trust to make other people laugh,” it sends a clear message about how they value their partner.

In the end, love should lift us up—not drag us down. Especially not into a pool on what’s supposed to be one of the happiest days of our lives.

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