Jason and Kirsten Clawson found love and happiness after enduring the devastating loss of their spouses to cancer. Their heartwarming story is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and creating new possibilities.
At their home in Utah, Jason and Kirsten, along with their blended family of five, have built a life filled with love and cherished memories. Kirsten became a stepmother to Jason’s two sons, Boston, 17, and Cooper, 11, after they got married in 2022. Shortly after, in December of the same year, they received an unexpected surprise – the arrival of their daughter, Maisie.
Their journey together hasn’t been easy, as their relationship was formed in the aftermath of mutual loss. Jason’s wife Valerie passed away from colon cancer at the age of 38 in 2019, while Kirsten’s husband Cody battled Acute Myeloid Leukemia before succumbing to the disease at 43 in 2020. Both Cody and Valerie had genes that made them resistant to chemotherapy, and their fights against cancer lasted for approximately nine months, leaving their loved ones with an indescribable void.
However, Jason and Kirsten have found a way to honor and remember their late spouses while building a new life together. They keep pictures of Valerie and Cody hanging in their house, celebrate their birthdays, visit their graves as a family, and acknowledge the anniversaries of their deaths. The couple allows each other the space to mourn and grieve, never ignoring or pretending that their pasts didn’t happen. They support each other through difficult moments and offer solace when needed.
The Clawsons understand that grief takes many forms and can extend beyond the loss of their late spouses. They have both experienced additional heartbreaks, including the loss of a child and other family members. Despite the challenges, they have persevered, leaning on each other for support and finding meaningful ways to honor their loved ones’ memories.
Both Kirsten and Jason have also turned to social media to share their journey, offering hope and solace to others who may be going through similar experiences. Kirsten’s TikTok videos have garnered millions of views, allowing her to connect with a wider audience and spread messages of resilience and love. They recently launched Light After Grief, a platform on TikTok and Instagram with the purpose of providing support and comfort to those navigating their own grief journeys.
Their blended family, filled with love and laughter, has been further enriched by the arrival of their daughter Maisie. Despite initial concerns, Kirsten delivered a healthy baby girl, who has brought immense joy to their lives. Her presence has helped to unite their two worlds, bridging the gap between past and present.
The Clawsons’ story is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and finding happiness after loss. They have shown that even in the darkest times, joy can still be found and shared. Their journey serves as an inspiration to others, reminding us that it is possible to create a new chapter filled with love, hope, and unexpected miracles.
