Ryan Sutter is forever in awe of wife Trista Sutter — and he’s letting her know this Valentine’s Day.
“February 13th. The day before that famed day of love and devotion — Saint Valentine’s Day. But sometimes love and devotion can’t wait a day for recognition,” Ryan, 50, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, February 13. “Some things should be said now, must be said now. Some things don’t require a dedicated day of recognition or celebration or flowers or candy. Some things like love and devotion.”
He added, “This is my wife — my amazing wife — in her office, on the phone [and] working tirelessly, inspired by your thoughts and prayers (thank you), advocating for my mom.”
According to Ryan, the 52-year-old former Bachelorette “spent the better part of a day” trying to navigate the bureaucracy of a local healthcare provider to help his mother.
“She bounced between doctors and schedulers and advice advocates and providers. All of them compassionate and kind but limited in their scope of influence or aide,” Ryan added. “Collectively, however, through @tristasutter’s diligence, persistence, insistence and influence, a path was cleared and a resolution found. My mom will be in surgery tomorrow (more prayers please)!!!”
Ryan, who has not shared why his mother needs medical attention, and Trista found love on the first season of The Bachelorette in 2003. They went on to welcome children Maxwell and Blakesley in 2007 and 2009, respectively. They celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary last year — and are still feeling the love.
“Valentine’s Day is about romance and that’s fine. But love is about so much more,” Ryan concluded on Thursday. “It is about being there, putting everything else aside, showing up, picking up, hurrying up and slowing down. It is empathy, sympathy and unconditional. It is selfless and honest — tiring but tireless. It is a bond, a kept promise, a daily ritual and commitment. Love is my wife and it is all that matters.”
Ahead of Ryan and Trista’s milestone anniversary, she briefly left home for a then-secret solo trip. Ryan subsequently raised concern amongst Bachelor Nation in May 2024 when he noted in a Mother’s Day tribute that Trista would be spending the holiday elsewhere. In actuality, she was filming season 3 of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.
“We’ve lived our marriage in the public eye, so I understand and I really appreciate the support and the care people cared,” Trista exclusively told Us Weekly of the speculation in December 2024. “But, it was surprising because, usually, we don’t cause such a ruckus. … It turned into people losing their minds. It is amazing to be part of something that makes it so that you connect with the world. And I am grateful for that.”
She added, “He [was] like, ‘I don’t care. I’m just going to say it. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. You think what you’re going to think. I’m going to tell my wife that I love her.’”
