Trista and Ryan Sutter are one of the most beloved couples in reality TV history. The two met on the first season of The Bachelorette, after Trista failed to win the heart of the very first Bachelor, Alex Michel.
It must've truly been written in the stars for that to be Trista's path. On her Bachelorette season, she met and fell in love with Ryan. They got married on television in one of early reality TV's biggest moments of all time.
Trista and Ryan will celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary on December 6. They are parents to two kids, 13-year-old Maxwell Alston and 11-year-old Blakesley Grace. Their marriage and their family is as strong as ever.
That said, they have gone through a hard time recently. In a post reflecting on Thanksgiving and an absence from social media, Trista revealed the struggle they are facing. Ryan has been suffering from an unknown illness for months. She assured fans he's still able to care for himself, but she expressed their frustration at the process of figuring out what is wrong.
Trista and Ryan Sutter share one of the first real love stories that played out on television for viewers. Trista Rehn was a contestant on season one of ABC's The Bachelor. She was the runner-up for Alex Michel's affections, unaware that the network would give her a second chance at finding love on the inaugural season of The Bachelorette.
During her season, Trista met and fell for Ryan Sutter. After a brief stint in the NFL, Ryan worked as a firefighter in Colorado. He seemed the perfect match for Trista, a former Miami Heat dancer.
The two enchanted viewers with their love story, culminating in the airing of their December 2003 wedding in a three-part special.
Trista and Ryan have been together ever since. Like all marriages, they've had their ups and downs. Ultimately, their relationship has been quite strong. They're leaning on that strength now as they deal with an unexpected and frustrating situation.
Trista recently revealed that Ryan has been unwell. They aren't sure what exactly is going on, but from what she shared, it appears that his illness has come with some very serious concerns.
"This week is usually one of my favorites. Creating memories with family, honoring traditions, filling our bellies with the tastiest of treats, and recognizing our blessings. I wrote a book on gratitude after all. It's for that reason, though, that I haven't posted," Trista began.
"I know I should be thankful, but I don't want to be fake. And, I'm struggling," she continued.
"This guy…my rock, my best friend, my hero, my love…is struggling. Not everyday, and not to the point that he can't work or cook or exercise or be with family, but enough. We've been struggling for months. Struggling to get answers."
"And this week, we got an answer that would normally be the best answer of all good answers. We found out that Ryan doesn't have cancer. A HUGE relief…without a doubt, especially after fighting to find a doctor to take symptoms that lined up with lymphoma seriously and advocating for the scans to rule it out," she revealed.
"But part of us was wanting a diagnosis. Wanting to be able to fight for him to be cured instead of fighting for an answer. How messed up is that? Don't worry, I know. It's messed up. But, that's where we are. In a holding pattern of not knowing. And believe me…I know it could be worse, so for that, I am thankful."
"Thankful to not have to be separated from a loved one who is dying due to [the virus]. Thankful to not have 2 children with a cancer diagnosis. Thankful to have each other and health insurance and jobs and a home and food on the table and healthy family members and all the things that make this life struggle-free," Trista continued.
"But if I'm not posting or answering emails or emotional or disconnected, please remember that everyone is struggling in some way, behind closed doors. We are young-ish and blessed, but not immune. We lived a fairy tale on TV and have a great life for all intents and purposes, but answers would be nice."
"So, I'm going to keep praying for answers and am hopeful that if you are the praying type, that you'll think of Ryan when the time comes to send up a message," she concluded.
Many fans were shocked to hear that the two were having such a difficult time. They were quick to offer Ryan their prayers.
On the same day as Trista's post, Ryan shared a black-and-white photo of himself. In the caption was a prayer:
"I'm asking You God, to give me what You have left.
Give me those things that others never ask of You.
I don't ask You for rest, or [tranquility].
Not that of the spirit, the body, or the mind.
I don't ask You for wealth, or success, or even health.
All those things are asked of You so much Lord,
that you can't have any left to give.
Give me instead Lord what You have left.
Give me what others don't want.
I want uncertainty and doubt.
I want torment and battle.
And I ask that You give them to me now and forever Lord,
so I can be sure to always have them,
because I won’t always have the strength to ask again.
But give me also the courage, the energy,
and the spirit to face them.
I ask You these things Lord, because I can't ask them of myself.
.
~ Andre Zirnheld"
Ryan is obviously grateful for Trista's concern. He shared a photo of the two of them, reaffirming his love for his wife and gratitude for everyone who reached out.
"All we need is love… #thankyou," he captioned the shot.
