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Photos show how ‘Love Story’ recreated Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic style

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  • “Love Story” follows the doomed love story of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
  • The show recreates several of Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic looks and timeless style.
  • The show’s costume designer was replaced after initial backlash to how star Sarah Pidgeon was styled.

The iconic style of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy has been often imitated but never replicated — until now.

“Love Story,” which is produced by Ryan Murphy for FX, chronicles the fated relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, who died in a plane crash off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard in July 1999.

The series has drawn praise for its striking casting — with Sarah Pidgeon bearing an uncanny resemblance to Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and Paul Anthony Kelly closely capturing the look of John F. Kennedy Jr. — as well as for its thoughtful costume design, which carefully recreates and honors Bessette-Kennedy’s real-life style.

Here’s a look at how the show recreated and paid homage to Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s style.

The series recreated an early Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy look down to the leather loafers.

Jenny Landy and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in New York City in 1995; Sarah Pidgeon filming “Love Story” in New York City.

Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images; TheStewartofNY/GC Images

In this scene, before she meets John F. Kennedy Jr. for the first time, Carolyn (played by Sarah Pidgeon) wears a simple black turtleneck, flared black capri pants, and black leather loafers.

In both the show and real life, Bessette-Kennedy worked as a showroom assistant for Calvin Klein before rising the ranks to become head of publicity for the fashion house.

Despite marrying into American royalty, Bessette-Kennedy knew how to perfect a casual look.


JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette in New York City, and Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon are seen on the set of

JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette in New York City, and Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon are seen on the set of “Love Story.”

Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images; Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images

She was often seen wearing loose Levi’s 517 jeans, her hair slicked back into a bun, with a simple monochromatic coat over the top.

When it came to recreating the New York City icon’s style, the series didn’t always nail it. Early leaked images from the set were criticized online for being too modern, fast-fashion-looking, and different from Kennedy-Bessette’s more upscale style.

In response to the backlash, the show brought in a new costume designer, Rudy Mance, who dedicated himself to making the costumes as accurate as possible.

“I get it. I’m protective of [John and Carolyn] as well. We all just wanted to be as precise and accurate as possible,” Mance told Variety.

Mance said he and his team studied for months throughout filming, comparing old paparazzi photos of the couple with the new looks he was creating for the show and pulling in as many archival and vintage pieces as possible to accurately recreate the look.

Part of Bessette-Kennedy’s enduring appeal was her dedication to a minimalist, understated style that felt polished yet effortlessly cool.


Carolyn Kennedy in 1996; Sarah Pidgeon seen on the set of

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in New York City; Sarah Pidgeon on the set of “Love Story.”

Lawrence Schwartzwald/Sygma/Getty Images; Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images

“There’s so much mystery about Carolyn. My familiarity with her was through paparazzi images,” lead actor Sarah Pidgeon told Vogue.

Mance said that recreating Kennedy’s style before she was thrust into the public eye was the most challenging.

“Everybody knows what they wore from 1996 to 1999, but we were telling the story of how they met,” he said, according to Glamour.

Her formal looks remained simple but added a sexy edge, a balance “Love Story” tried to recreate.


Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and JFK Jr. in 1998; Sarah Pidgeon in

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and JFK Jr. in 1998; Sarah Pidgeon in “Love Story.”

Steve Eichner/Penske Media/Getty Images; FX Networks

Bessette-Kennedy often looked effortlessly sexy when she stepped out on red carpets, like in the strapless black Yohji Yamamoto gown photographed above. Pidgeon wears a similar dress for her meet-cute with Kelly in episode one of the series.

It was delicate work for Pidgeon to strike the same balance, especially when fans reacted strongly to early images of her in the role. However, the actor told Vogue she was ultimately grateful for the public feedback about her portrayal.

“The online conversations at the beginning of the process served as a reminder of how important it was to get our portrayal of Carolyn correct. She grew even more important to me,” Pidgeon told Vogue. “People really, really love Carolyn, and my priority every single day on set was doing justice to her legacy.”

And even when they were recreating simple outfits, the “Love Story” team ensured the fit was similar to what Carolyn would have worn.


Carolyn Bessette Kennedy poses for a picture at a gala in 1999; Sarah Pidgeon in

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy poses for a picture at a gala in 1999; Sarah Pidgeon in “Love Story.”

Evan Agostini/Liaison/Getty Images; FX Networks

Although Bessette-Kennedy’s simple outfits could be recreated with off-brand designers — like the white blouse and floor-length black skirt by Yohji Yamamoto that she wore in 1999 — Mance was dedicated to finding archival pieces. Pidgeon was wearing true recreations of Bessette-Kennedy’s looks whenever possible.

He also ensured the pieces would fit Pidgeon similarly to how they fit Bessette-Kennedy, as Pidgeon told Vogue.

“We found her Prada and Valentino coats, and fitted some Levi’s so that they looked exactly how they fit Carolyn,” Pidgeon told Vogue.

By recreating the magic of Bessette-Kennedy’s wardrobe, the “Love Story” team offered a window into her world.


Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in 1999; Sarah Pidgeon on the set of

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in 1999; Sarah Pidgeon on the set of “Love Story.”

Justin Ide/Getty Images; Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images

Kennedy’s clothes were always going to play a central part in her on-screen portrayal since style was so critical to her identity. However, Pidgeon said she hoped the clothes she wears offer a jumping-off point for the total woman she hopes to portray.

“She is known as this minimalist fashion icon, but I learned that she was also vivacious, funny, and had a wildness about her,” she told Vogue.




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My grandparents have been married for 54 years. Their relationship has taught me 3 lessons about love I plan to follow.

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My grandparents, whom I call Papa and GG, have been together since they were teenagers and married for 54 years.

As I’ve grown up, I’ve realized the secret to their lasting love hasn’t been perfection or grand gestures. Instead, it’s in finding joy and meaning in life’s small, everyday moments.

Their marriage has taught me how powerful a gentle, consistent love can be, and how beautifully it can shape everything around it.

Here are three of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from them that I hope to bring into my own relationships.

To maintain the “spark,” nurture curiosity


The author's grandparents posing for a photo together.

My grandparents still discover new things about each other, more than 50 years into their marriage.

Sierra Newell



Whether it’s by going on a spontaneous camping trip or navigating retirement together, my grandparents delight in discovering new things about each other.

Both avid readers, they often will sit beneath their orange tree and share quotes from their books. After long Sunday walks through the park, they also like to continue their running card game of gin rummy, laughter, and nostalgic stories tumbling between them.

Even after decades together, they also eat dinner with each other nearly every night, eager to unravel each other’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Find creative, consistent ways to express your love


A collection of

My Papa has clipped many “Love Is…” comics over the years.

Sierra Newell



My grandparents have found a variety of ways to show each other they care.

Every morning, for example, my Papa clips the “Love Is…” comic strip from the newspaper and places it on the kitchen counter for GG. He also writes poems, scribbled on notepads, painted on rocks, or sent as random texts throughout the day.

Meanwhile, GG often sends photos of heart-shaped stones or leaves she finds on her walks, and they both leave handwritten notes in each other’s suitcases when they travel.

Physical affection anchors it all, though. There’s rarely ever a moment when they aren’t holding hands or resting a head on a shoulder. They often seem to do it without even realizing, as though one another is as constant and grounding as gravity.

Remember to prioritize your own happiness, too


The author and her grandpa posing together.

I appreciate how each of my grandparents still pursues their own interests.

Sierra Newell



In my opinion, one of the reasons their relationship still feels so alive is because they never stopped making room for their individual interests.

GG started playing mahjong in retirement and now competes in tournaments, and Papa likes to play golf around the world.

Instead of resenting or fearing change, they celebrate each other’s passions, and watching each other reinvent themselves sustains their mutual excitement.

The common thread is joy

These days, it can be hard to sift through the barrage of conflicting advice on how to find and cultivate long-lasting love.

Still, witnessing my grandparents build a life out of tiny kindnesses — notes slipped into suitcases, breakfast cartoons, and shared laughter — has shown me the recipe is simpler than we think.

I see how extraordinary it is to share life’s simplest joys, to choose a partner who is real, steady, and kind. That level of devotion is an everyday miracle, and I try to weave those threads into my own relationships.

I send handwritten letters back and forth with my friends and family, and my boyfriend and I collect concert tickets, printed menus, and postcards from trips and dates we’ve experienced.

These items are arranged in a collage in my apartment, ink-stained and wrinkled, but tangible proof of the love my grandparents have taught me to sow.




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I moved to France after falling in love with it during summer visits. Nothing could’ve prepared me for living here full-time.

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I’m originally from the Bahamas, but my love for France began while working there as an English language camp counselor every summer from 2011 to 2014.

Year after year, I fell more in love with the country — and, soon, the seed of a plan to live here began to sprout its roots. In August 2015, I finally packed my bags and made my dream of living in France a reality.

However, no amount of prior experience coming here for short spurts could’ve prepared me for moving to France and actually living there.

I underestimated how tough navigating the language barrier would be


Woman with hands in air smiling on stone path with flowers, building behid her

I wish I’d learned more French before I moved.

Nicole Bedford



Living in a foreign country can be a daunting shock to the system when you don’t speak the native language.

I knew my French being limited to phrases like “hello” and “thank you” would put me at a disadvantage — but I still wasn’t prepared for the frustration I’d feel and the judgment I’d get for being no better than a toddler trying to communicate.

Once I arrived in Rennes, where I’d chosen to move, it became clear to me English was not prevalent, and that I would need to navigate all my administrative procedures with limited French.

To navigate day-to-day transactions, such as opening a bank account, I used Google Translate to create a script. It was challenging, but I managed to get things done.

This experience taught me to never underestimate a language barrier or assume you can rely on English abroad — not even in big cities.

As a word of advice, if you plan to move to France or any country where you do not speak the native tongue, be sure to take classes in that language for six months to a year before you go.

Doing so will help you navigate day-to-day life and ensure a more seamless integration — especially when navigating the paperwork and administrative tasks that come with moving.

The slower pace of life has been nice, but it took me a bit to adjust to shops’ limited hours


Woman smiling at vineyard

It’s been nice getting to relax more often.

Nicole Bedford



Europe is known for having a slower-paced lifestyle than much of North America. However, I still couldn’t believe how relaxed my day-to-day life became after I moved — or how quickly I was able to get used to it.

My first summer living in France without having to work the whole time was the most surprising. During August, entire businesses close for summer holidays and cities feel emptier as locals go on vacation for two or three weeks at a time. It was refreshing.

I’ve grown to really appreciate how the French know how to relax and enjoy life. However, it did take me a little longer to get used to shops here having limited hours.

Businesses like pharmacies, grocery stores, clothing shops, and even private clinics often close before or just after sunset throughout France — even in many major cities.


Woman sipping from mug in front of Le Scoop

I’ve learned to check the hours on a business before I check it out.

Nicole Bedford



A lot of businesses are also closed on Sundays, as it’s meant to be a countrywide day of rest.

This was a bit jarring since I come from a country where many stores are open late for convenience — some are open 24/7, seven days a week.

However, I’ve since learned how to plan accordingly and mark which errands are time-sensitive on my to-do list.

Ultimately, though, this experience reminded me that no amount of research can prepare you for moving to a new country. There will always be surprises around the corner — but, for me, moving here has been worth it.




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I’m 81 years old, and I still love going to the gym. It’s helped me stay social and physically healthy.

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When our family moved to Oregon from Southern California in 1974 for my husband’s new job, I fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. But there was one problem: There wasn’t enough sunshine or swimming pools — both of which I had enjoyed in California.

When the community college where I taught offered free memberships at a new gym, I quickly signed up. I expected exercise, but I got so much more.

Over 30 years later, I’m 81, and still going to the gym every other day. It’s still an important part of my health routine.

I found that the gym isn’t just for young people

The weight room is full of young people lifting weights, and they pound their feet on treadmills like the start of the Kentucky Derby.

But the gym is also filled with older people. There’s the 87-year-old woman who runs up and down the stairs “because it feels good,” while her 91-year-old husband maintains a steady pace on the treadmill.

As a swimmer, I’ve met several people around my age, welcoming each other into the pool.

With a somewhat older crowd, I am pleasantly surprised at how disabilities and imperfections are of no consequence in the pool. Surgery scars, including mastectomies and even amputations, are not worthy of the slightest stare or question. The miracle of being in the water is that handicaps and age disappear.


Cynthia Wall and her friends in the pool at her gym

The author says she’s stayed healthy thanks to the pool at her gym.

Courtesy of Cynthia Wall



Even those who enter the pool in a lift achieve equality once they are buoyant. I’ve witnessed physical challenges that make me realize how insignificant my own are.

I was surprised to find deep friendships at the gym

When I first came to the gym to exercise, I didn’t expect to make friends — acquaintances, yes, but not friendships that mattered.

But then I met Maria, an 80-year-old Austrian with an infectious laugh. I heard her in the locker room as she shared a recipe for Wiener Schnitzel with someone. I had seen her in the pool, swimming with her head held high to keep her beautifully coiffed hair dry. I smiled and said goodbye as I left. The next day, I swam alongside her. I switched to a slow breaststroke so I could keep my head out and hear her story — and what a story it was.

A well-to-do Austrian, married to a doctor, she, her husband, and three children were reduced to refugee status under the Russian occupation at the end of World War II. In 1957, they were able to emigrate to the US. Because of their belief in the American Dream, they thrived. Maria often commented on their good fortune; she also taught me European history. She taught me a little German and showed me that laughter is the best antidote for any problem.

Soon, our casual acquaintance became a dear friendship that lasted until her death at 103 in 2022. We spent over 20 years together at the gym, four days a week. I made other friends as well. All of us loved and admired Maria.

I believe moving my body and socializing are keeping me young

Going to the gym multiple times a week has kept me more than young; it’s kept me moving into my 80s.

I have fairly severe scoliosis, and it hurts. Without swimming and core strengthening at the gym, I don’t want to think about how much worse it would be.

Over the years, I’ve learned that going to the gym is the best thing I can do for myself.

I am stronger than yesterday — stronger in my body, stronger in friendships, and stronger in optimism.




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Chong Ming Lee, Junior News Reporter at Business Insider's Singapore bureau.

Jensen Huang says Nvidia would love to back an OpenAI IPO, and there’s ‘no drama’ with Sam Altman

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Jensen Huang says Nvidia would love to invest in a future OpenAI IPO.

Huang said in an interview on CNBC’s “Mad Money” on Tuesday that there was “no drama” between Nvidia and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, pushing back against recent chatter of tension in the relationship between the two companies.

“The first deal is on,” the Nvidia CEO said, referring to the company’s September deal with OpenAI, under which the company said it planned to invest up to $100 billion in the AI startup.

“​​And then there’s, of course, an IPO in the future,” he added. “We love to be participating in that as well,” he added.

Huang also described OpenAI as a “once in a generation company” and said Nvidia is “delighted to invest in it.”

His comments come amid reports suggesting internal unease around the deal.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that the investment had sparked internal concerns at Nvidia, with some executives questioning the deal, according to people familiar with the matter.

Separately, Reuters reported on Tuesday that OpenAI had been unhappy with certain newer Nvidia chips and had looked at alternatives since last year, citing people familiar with the matter.

Huang told reporters in Taipei on Saturday that speculation of any dissatisfaction with OpenAI was “nonsense.”

“We will invest a great deal of money, probably the largest investment we’ve ever made,” he added.

Altman has also pushed back on rumors of tension.

“We love working with NVIDIA and they make the best AI chips in the world,” wrote Altman in a post on X on Tuesday.

“We hope to be a gigantic customer for a very long time. I don’t get where all this insanity is coming from,” he added.

OpenAI is one of the world’s most valuable private AI companies and a major customer for Nvidia’s chips, which power the training and deployment of large language models.

The startup has not announced plans for an IPO, but its fundraising and computing needs have fueled speculation about how it will finance future growth.

“Big Short” investor Michael Burry said in a Substack exchange in January that he was surprised that ChatGPT “kicked off a multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure race.”

“It’s like someone built a prototype robot and every business in the world started investing for a robot future,” he wrote.




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Amanda Goh

Barbara Corcoran, 76, says getting a second bedroom prompted her to love her husband ‘twice as much’

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Barbara Corcoran, 76, swears by having separate bedrooms from her husband. She says couples should try it — even in small spaces.

“Well, they could get separate beds. They could put a wall up. They could sleep on the convertible couch,” Corcoran told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published on Monday.

While she acknowledged that the setup won’t work for everyone, Corcoran said many people living in small apartments could make better use of the space they already have.

“I don’t really have a solution, but there’s a lot of New Yorkers who have two bedrooms and one set up as a den or TV room. I think that’s a misuse,” she said. “When I got my second bedroom, I immediately loved my husband twice as much.”

The “Shark Tank” host and her husband, retired Navy captain and FBI agent Bill Higgins, have been married since 1988.

For Corcoran, protecting her alone time is key, including in the mornings.

“I always wake up at 5 o’clock. I make myself some coffee, sit on my chair and daydream for an hour. I try to stay off my cellphone and I usually succeed,” she said.

Despite her busy schedule, the business mogul says she doesn’t work on Mondays.

“I take Mondays off, and I always have. I will not work on a Monday. On Friday, I leave all my commands, all my notes, little Post-it Notes on everybody’s machines. Or now, it’s a lot of email,” Corcoran said.

This isn’t the first time that Corcoran has shared her views on sleep divorce. In a December 2024 appearance on “The Jamie Kern Lima Show,” Corcoran described having separate bedrooms as one of the secrets to her successful marriage.

“Well, I think there’s something to be said about your own private space. Yes, I lead a very busy life. I have a huge family that I’m always entertaining. I have very sincere, active friends, and so what I need more than anything else is a respite, and my husband is not relaxing,” Corcoran told podcast host Jamie Kern Lima.

She added that it’s difficult for her to muster the energy at the end of the day to listen to him and contribute meaningfully to the conversation.

Moreover, she and her husband have rules for entering each other’s bedrooms. “I have to invite him into my bedroom, and I like it that way,” Corcoran said.

Many other celebrities have also spoken about sleeping separately from their spouses. Carson Daly has called sleep divorce the “best thing” for his marriage, while Bette Midler has said she and her husband of over 40 years have slept apart since the start of their relationship.




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Karoline Leavitt called her age-gap marriage an ‘atypical love story.’ Here’s what to know about her life and career.

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Leavitt was introduced to Riccio, a real-estate developer, at a campaign event by a mutual friend during her 2022 run for Congress.

They announced their engagement on Christmas in 2023 and welcomed a son, Niko, on July 10, 2024.

Leavitt and Riccio wed on January 4, 2025, days before Trump’s second inauguration. Leavitt spoke about their 32-year age gap in a February 2025 interview on The Megyn Kelly Show.

“I mean, it’s a very atypical love story, but he’s incredible,” she said of Riccio, adding, “He’s the father of my child, and he’s the best dad I could ever ask for. And he is so supportive, especially during a very chaotic period of life.”

In a November interview with Miranda Devine on the podcast “Pod Force One,” Leavitt spoke about her parents’ reaction to her “unusual” relationship with Riccio, who is older than her mother.

“It’s definitely a challenging conversation to have at first,” she said. “But then, of course, once they got to know him and saw who he is as a man and his character and how much he adores me, I think it became quite easy for them.”

On December 26, Leavitt announced that she and Riccio are expecting a baby girl in May, making her the first-ever pregnant White House press secretary.

“My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son become a big brother,” she wrote in an Instagram post.




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I moved from Spain to Florida 21 years ago. My first marriage fell apart, but I met the love of my life.

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Twenty-one years ago, I faced the difficult decision to move from Spain to the United States with my 3-year-old daughter and 4-month-old baby to follow my then-husband, who had lost his job, in pursuit of a new position in Florida.

I was being asked to leave behind my family, friends, and an established writing career. I was to start over at 41, with no connections, no guarantees, and an already shaky marriage.

My family thought it was a terrible idea, yet my husband’s family felt it was a great opportunity. So, after some soul-searching and many promises of a better life in Florida, I decided to uproot my kids and take the chance.

As I boarded the plane to meet my children’s father (he had come to the US ahead of us), I had mixed feelings: I could feel the excitement of my eldest to see her dad again, but I also feared the unknown. I kept asking myself whether it was really possible that we could fix our marriage and thrive in a different country.

My worst fear came true

Going from living in a penthouse in the old part of Sevilla, where I could walk to just about everywhere, to being cooped up in a tiny apartment in a gated community in suburban Florida, where I needed a car to go anywhere, was brutal to my nervous system.

I felt trapped in suburbia without my own car. And with a history of major depressive disorder, I started having panic attacks and depressive episodes. One day, while driving my children to find a preschool for my eldest, I had to pull over to sob.

A few months later, my husband lost the job we had moved to Florida for. And so began one of the most difficult periods of our lives.

In four years, we moved several times within Florida, always because of his new jobs. I found work freelancing for newspapers and magazines and wrote more books for publishers in Spain. But our relationship was always floundering.

As our marriage crumbled, we took a time-out under the same roof. We went to marriage counseling, enrolled in self-improvement seminars, and so on. Trust, respect, and admiration had been completely lost, and in 2008, when the Great Recession hit, we had no money, no savings, and no jobs.

I walked away from my husband with my laptop, my books, joint custody of our children, and the huge regret of having moved so far away from my family and friends. But I stayed in Florida, because I didn’t want my children to be far from their father. From one day to the next, I found myself a single mother on food stamps.

I met the love of my life

Nearly a year after separating, 16 years ago, I met the love of my life. We had many similarities: we were both newly single, bilingual and bicultural, and had children of a similar age. We were writers focused on creating a better life for our kids and ourselves. The best part was that neither of us had given up on love despite the tough times we’d lived through.


Family posing with kids

The author fell in love again in Florida.

Courtesy of the author



For nearly two years, we dated long-distance, spending only weekends and holidays together. One of us would drive two hours to meet the other, sometimes with the children, and when the kids were with our respective former spouses, we met alone.

We were both trying to rebuild ourselves personally and professionally, and together we made a great team. I once again moved for love, but this time with no regrets. Four years later, we married at sunset on the beach, surrounded by our children and close family.

Our kids are all in their 20s now, and we’ve been through the highest highs as well as some pretty rough times. But our relationship was never in question. We’ve cheered each other on and thrived together.

Whenever I think of past regrets and how I shouldn’t have moved to the US 21 years ago with my ex, I realize I would have missed out on finding true love. And I would never have built the stable and dependable family I always wanted.




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As my teens get older, they’re fiercely embracing our holiday traditions again. I love it.

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As a mom of three teens, ages 14 to 18, I’ve had my share of years as the bringer of holiday magic. While I never welcomed the Elf on the Shelf into our home (no regrets), I did pretty much every other holiday tradition, including festive train rides and mall photos with Santa.

In the years when my kids were young, the weekends between Thanksgiving and New Year’s were packed with holiday activities, leaving me exhausted and counting the days until they went back to school in January. The elation of Santa’s arrival was paired with too-early wakeups and too many presents to assemble late at night. I loved seeing the joy in their eyes when they opened that LEGO set or butterfly-growing kit, but man, it was exhausting.

Then came the tween years, which had me begging for someone — anyone — to join me on our annual drive through the neighborhood to look for the best holiday lights. These were the years when everything seemed like forced family fun, and I had to resort to heavy bribery (or light threats) to get anyone to come along.


The author poses next to a Christmas tree with her husband and their three children.

The author said her kids stopped enjoying holiday traditions they once loved when they became tweens. Now that they’re older, they’re starting to enjoy them in new ways.

Courtesy of Kate Loweth



My teens have come back around

It was only in the last year or so that I’ve seen a change in my kids. It started with my 18-year-old daughter planning a trip to the pumpkin patch with her high school friends. I had resigned myself to grocery-store pumpkins the last few years, as nobody seemed excited to make the effort to visit the pumpkin patch (and I wasn’t paying pumpkin-patch prices for grumpy kids). When my daughter mentioned that she and a few friends were going to the pumpkin patch on a Friday night, I was surprised but secretly excited, because who doesn’t love wholesome teen activities?

Then, when I wasn’t immediately busy decorating our house for Christmas after Thanksgiving, my 14-year-old son took it upon himself to hang the stockings and decorate the tree. My middle kid put up the outdoor Christmas lights without any adult prompting or assistance. Then, after skipping the nearby drive-thru lights experience for many years, the kids asked if we’d be going this year. Immediate yes.


The author's son stands on a ladder while hanging holiday lights on the family home.

The author said her middle child took it upon himself to hang holiday lights on the family home.

Courtesy of Kate Loweth



Passing on the holiday magic

These festive activities, which once felt optional and even embarrassing to my kids, now seem to matter to them once again. While there’s nothing like those early years with kids who are all in on Santa and his holiday magic, I’m finding a different kind of joy in this stage. I love watching my teenagers take it upon themselves to fill our house with the holiday spirit, not because I asked them to, but because they wanted to.

For years, I carried the responsibility of creating holiday magic. Now I see that letting go made room for something better. As my kids inch closer to leaving the nest, I love seeing them bring new life to our family traditions.




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