Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert Share Gratitude Following Her Skull Surgery

Days after Hayley Erbert's skull surgery, she and Derek Hough celebrated their first Christmas as a married couple. And despite the obstacles life has thrown their way this year, they're feeling more thankful than ever.

The couple shared a joint Instagram post showing them rocking white and green pajamas and embracing in front of their Christmas tree. "Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas," the couple wrote in the caption. "Cherishing the greatest gift of all. The precious gift of life and the love we share. Hold your loved ones close and treasure every moment."

A post shared by Hayley Erbert Hough
A photo posted by hayley.erbert on

Fans and loved ones flooded the couple's Instagram post with comments of support and encouragement. "You are our Christmas miracle," Julianne Hough wrote. "So glad you guys are safe and together. Love you so much," added Lindsey Stirling.

Earlier this month, the Dancing with the Stars judge shared that Erbert had undergone an "emergency craniectomy" to treat a cranial hematoma. Then, on December 20, Erbert had cranioplasty surgery, which Hough confirmed had been successful.

A post shared by Derek Hough
A photo posted by derekhough on

The dancers tied the knot in August after getting engaged in June 2022. According to People, Erbert and Hough have been together since 2015, making the relationship Instagram official in 2017.

"While this isn't the holiday season either of us envisioned, it's one that we're incredibly grateful to have," Hough wrote in a December 15 Instagram post. "We look forward to cherishing these moments with a deeper appreciation for life and the people in it."

Meghan is a freelance news writer at Marie Claire. Her work has also appeared in Bustle, Refinery29, Popsugar, and other outlets. When she isn't writing, Meghan runs a community for plus-size people in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina.