Love and Healing: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert's Christmas Moment

On May 4, 2022, Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough were in San Diego.Photo byEmma McIntyre / WireImage file

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert, former "Dancing With the Stars" personalities, recently shared a heartwarming photo on Christmas, celebrating life and their profound love amidst Erbert's recovery from emergency brain surgery. The image captured a tender moment between the couple, with Erbert sporting a festive wrap around her head as a testament to her ongoing recovery.

In a joint Instagram post, the couple expressed their Christmas wishes and emphasized the significance of life and the love they share, especially during this time. This holiday season marked their first Christmas together since their summer wedding.

The post garnered immense support from the "Dancing With the Stars" community, with Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Heather Morris, and others sending heartfelt messages of encouragement and love.

The positive update followed the news shared by Hough a few days earlier about Erbert's successful cranioplasty surgery, which aimed to replace a section of her skull that was removed in a previous emergency craniectomy. Earlier in December, Erbert had been hospitalized due to a cranial hematoma resulting from a burst blood vessel, leading to the urgent craniectomy.

Hough shared their emotional journey, describing the rollercoaster from the nightmare of the emergency surgery to the hope and relief they felt after the successful procedures. He reflected on the fragility of life and the unexpected changes it can bring, highlighting the resilience they found in themselves and their supportive community throughout this challenging period.

The couple's story of strength, resilience, and the power of love in overcoming adversity has resonated deeply with their followers, serving as a poignant reminder of life's unpredictability and the importance of cherishing every moment.