The Emotional Journey of the Chrisley Family: A Unique Bond Through Adversity
A Special Keepsake for the Kids
In a heartfelt gesture, Julie Chrisley created Build-a-Bear stuffed animals that contain her voice for her children before she began her prison sentence in January 2023. Savannah Chrisley, now 27 and responsible for caring for her younger brother Grayson, 18, and sister Chloe, 11, shared this touching story on her podcast “Unlocked.” The bears were made to help Chloe feel connected to their nightly prayer routine.
Savannah recounted how Grayson expressed his desire for a bear too. “He had tears in his eyes saying he wanted one as well,” she recalled. With only half an hour until Build-a-Bear closed its doors, Julie hurriedly crafted two bears for Grayson and one each for Savannah and Chase. These cherished items remain with them today.
Facing Difficult Emotions
While Savannah continues to listen to the recordings from the bears, Chloe has avoided it entirely. Recently when someone played it back, Chloe reacted strongly against it—indicating how deeply these memories affect them all.
Chloe is not just Savannah’s sister; she is also their niece who was adopted by Todd and Julie due to challenges faced by Kyle, their estranged brother.
Heartfelt Reflections on Loss
During the podcast episode, Tyler Bishop—a friend of Savannah—expressed empathy towards the family’s situation. He described witnessing them listen to those recordings as profoundly heartbreaking from an outsider’s perspective.
Todd and Julie Chrisley gained fame through their reality series “Chrisley Knows Best,” but they faced serious legal troubles that led to a combined prison sentence of 19 years in November 2022 due to fraud and tax evasion charges. Initially sentenced separately—Todd received a term of twelve years while Julie was given seven—their sentences have since seen some adjustments based on appeals regarding sentencing errors.
Julie’s original sentence was reduced by fourteen months following an appeal court ruling in September 2023 that identified legal miscalculations during sentencing procedures.
Navigating Life After Sentencing
Savannah’s friend Erin Dugan reminisced about having lunch with her shortly after Todd and Julie reported to federal prison. She described how heavy the emotional burden felt during that time: “It felt like every piece of weight was resting on your shoulders.” They shared moments filled with laughter but also tears as they processed this life-altering event together.
Erin encouraged Savannah not just to hold back emotions but rather embrace them fully: “Cry it out! Get it out!” This support proved vital as they navigated such turbulent times together.
Coping with Reality
As time passed after Todd and Julie’s sentencing became real for everyone involved—including friends—it became clear there had been significant denial about what lay ahead. Holly Waldrup noted that many struggled initially with accepting their parents’ fate until they were actually incarcerated.
Reflecting on conversations with her mother about preparing for incarceration revealed regrets from both sides regarding lack of preparation before turning themselves into authorities—a sentiment echoed by Savannah who mentioned packing up everything herself alongside ex-fiancé Nick Kerdiles after their parents’ departure into custody following his tragic passing later that year in a motorcycle accident.
Through these trials—the emotional turmoil surrounding family dynamics amid public scrutiny—the bond between siblings remains strong despite adversity; each day brings new challenges yet also opportunities for growth within this unique family narrative shaped by love amidst hardship.
