It’s been six years since Mattie Jackson, daughter of Alan Jackson, lost her husband in an unexpected accident.
Just a few weeks before their first wedding anniversary, Mattie’s husband, Ben Selecman, tragically slipped and hit his head while assisting people onto a boat in Florida. After being hospitalized for some time, he passed away on September 12, leaving Mattie a widow at just 28 years old.
After the tragic accident, Mattie has been very open about her grief and the challenges of navigating life after losing her husband. She even wrote a book about her journey titled Lemons on Friday.
In tribute to the sixth anniversary of Ben’s passing, Mattie honored his memory with a post on her social media, sharing her hope that he can see the “goodness and joy” she now feels six years later.
“I’ve probably shared this photo before, but I look back at it every year on this day and hold it so near to my heart,” Mattie wrote in the caption of a photo of herself and Ben. “It was the last picture we have together before his accident.”
“This summer more than any other time, I’ve begged the Lord to let Ben see the outrageous goodness and joy in my life these days,” she continued. “To see my dreams of a *second* book coming true; to see how incredibly well Connor loves me; to see me learning to be a mom like I always prayed to. And I believe he can.”
Three years after Ben’s death, Mattie found love again.
In her second chance at love, Mattie met Connor Smith, who was the brother-in-law of one of her friends. Mattie and Connor started dating in 2021 and tied the knot two years later.
The couple revealed they were expecting their first child together just eight months after their wedding and welcomed their baby boy, Wesley Alan Smith, in June of this year.
The birth of their son was just one day after Mattie’s own birthday and referred to him as the “absolute best birthday gift I could have ever imagined,” in an adorable post to Facebook.
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“There is no greater honor in life than being chosen by God to be your mom. And no sweeter joy than watching your daddy adore you and protect you already,” she added.