On Sunday, December 29th, model and entrepreneur Emma Heming Willis marked the 17th anniversary of her marriage to actor Bruce Willis with a poignant message on Instagram. Accompanying her post was a nostalgic photo of the couple embracing on a beach, the sun setting behind them.

“17 years together,” Emma wrote, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of this milestone. “Anniversaries used to bring pure joy,” she admitted. “Now, honestly, they stir up a complex mix of emotions, leaving a heaviness in my heart and a hollow ache in my stomach. I give myself 30 minutes to process these feelings – the ‘why him, why us’ thoughts, the anger, the grief. And then, I choose to refocus. I return to what truly matters: unconditional love. I feel incredibly blessed to have experienced this love, and I would choose this life, with all its challenges, over and over again without hesitation.”

In 2022, the Willis family publicly announced that Bruce had been diagnosed with aphasia, a language disorder that necessitated his retirement from acting. The following year, the diagnosis was further clarified as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects brain function.

Since sharing this news with the world, Emma has become a vocal advocate for families facing similar challenges. In March 2023, she shared an emotional message on social media, admitting that she had spent much of the previous day, Bruce’s birthday, in tears. “I believe it’s important to be honest about this journey,” she shared in a video. “People often tell me, ‘You’re so strong. I don’t know how you do it.’ But the truth is, I don’t have a choice. I wish I did, but I don’t – and I’m also raising two young daughters.” Emma and Bruce are parents to 12-year-old Mabel and 10-year-old Evelyn. Despite the immense challenges they face, Emma emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and cherishing every precious day with her family.