Reality TV star and public speaker Bristol Palin has shared a heartwarming reunion with her eldest son, Tripp, as they celebrated his 17th birthday together. The 35-year-old took to her Instagram stories over the weekend to mark the milestone, posting nostalgic throwback photos and a clip of the birthday celebrations.
An Emotional Family Reunion in Texas
The birthday gathering held special significance as it came just over a year after Tripp made the decision to move from Texas to Alaska to live with his father, Levi Johnston. In the short video shared by Palin, a smiling Tripp is seen blowing out candles on cupcakes, indicating he had travelled down to Texas to spend the day with his mother. Palin captioned the reel, "happiest 17th birthday to my @tripp.easton!!!"
Palin shares Tripp with her ex-fiancé, Levi Johnston. Their on-again, off-again relationship, which was highly publicised during her mother Sarah Palin's 2008 vice-presidential campaign, finally ended in 2010. The former couple engaged in a lengthy custody battle, which was resolved in 2016 with an agreement for joint custody.
Navigating a Difficult Transition
In August 2024, Palin had openly expressed her heartache after Tripp, then 15, chose to relocate to Alaska to finish high school near his father and extended family. "This has been the hardest 'first day of school' yet with one of the biggest pieces of my heart missing," she wrote on Instagram at the time.
She supported his decision, stating, "He's almost 16 years old and that relationship with his dad is a lot more important than my own selfish desires of having him with his mama forever!" However, she admitted finding it difficult to accept, adding, "I can't talk about it yet without crying."
In a candid revelation on the 'Sex, Lies, And Spray Tans' podcast, Palin described how Tripp broke the news via text message: "He just texted me and was like, 'Hey Mom, I'm not coming back.'" She recalled her initial angry reaction, saying, "At first I'm like, 'I'm coming up to Alaska. We're not doing this.' I was so mad." She described the move as "gut wrenching," emphasising the uniquely close bond they had shared for years.
Life Beyond High School and Health Updates
In a recent Instagram Q&A, Palin addressed questions about Tripp's future plans, revealing she would "never push college." She indicated he is already working and will likely pursue a trade or a career in real estate and development.
Meanwhile, Palin continues to manage life as a mother to her two daughters, Sailor, 10, and Atlee, eight, whom she shares with ex-husband Dakota Meyer. She has also been publicly documenting her health journey. Earlier this year, she was diagnosed with a form of Bell's palsy, causing facial paralysis.
During a recent Thanksgiving holiday post with her daughters, she gave a brief update, noting she was wearing "still a crooked face." However, in August, she shared a positive development, confirming her face was "slowly getting better." The birthday reunion with Tripp serves as a joyful personal moment amidst her ongoing health challenges and family transitions.
