Erika Kirk Pays Tribute to Late Husband Charlie on First Valentine's Day Since His Death
Erika Kirk has publicly honored her late husband, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, with an emotional social media post marking the first Valentine's Day following his tragic assassination. In a poignant Instagram post shared on Friday evening, the 37-year-old widow posted a photograph of a handwritten note from Charlie, who was shot and killed on September 10 while debating students at Utah Valley University during his American Comeback tour.
A Heartfelt Message and Family Moment
The photograph also captured the hand of one of her two children with the late conservative activist, adding a deeply personal touch to the tribute. "What I would give for one more love letter... They had such a deep reverence about them," Erika wrote in her caption. She described how Charlie would intentionally set aside the noise of the world to hand her words that felt sacred, filled with a depth of love that neither could fully articulate.
"I read it all even slower now. And as I read your words, the weight on my heart reminds me of a reality that we were never promised gray hair and rocking chairs even though we assumed it was guaranteed," she continued. "But my goodness, do I love telling the babies about the fullness of our covenant that left a mark on my soul. My favorite love story."
Advice to Followers and Personal Reflections
Erika advised her followers to "honor the Sabbath this weekend with your loved ones" and to write love letters to their significant others. She emphasized the importance of such gestures, noting that "a letter like this might seem trivial, but you just never know the course life will take, if the Lord calls you home, even in your absence, as they reflect on your words, your love is still serving them." She concluded the caption with a touching declaration: "I love you Charlie baby, you will always be my Valentine."
The handwritten letter from Charlie, partially visible in the photo, included the words: "I love you so much and can't wait to see what adventures lay ahead of us." This message now stands as a bittersweet reminder of their shared dreams and the future that was cut short.
Background on Their Marriage and Family Plans
Erika and Charlie Kirk were married in 2021 and welcomed a daughter in August 2022, followed by a son in May 2024. In the aftermath of her husband's death, Erika revealed that she was "praying to God" that she was pregnant when Charlie was killed, as they had planned to have four children together. During a November interview with Megyn Kelly, she expressed their excitement about expanding their family, saying, "I was like, 'Oh, goodness, that was going to be the ultimate blessing out of this catastrophe.'"
Erika's Role and Encouragement to Others
Following Charlie's death, Erika assumed the role of CEO at Turning Point USA. In her public statements, she has encouraged young couples not to delay having children, particularly addressing young women: "Especially if you're a young woman, don't put it off. You can always have a career, you can always go back to work. You can never just go back to having children. And they grow so fast and so quickly. I just, I was praying. Both of us were."
This Valentine's Day tribute not only commemorates Charlie Kirk's legacy but also highlights the enduring love and resilience of Erika Kirk as she navigates life without her husband while cherishing the memories of their time together.
