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Dylan Dreyer Gets Real: Vacationing with In-Laws in Turks & Caicos
Dylan Dreyer’s Special Birthday Tradition: How She Keeps Family Close After Divorce
The Birthday Trip That Became a Family Tradition
Imagine going to the same beautiful beach every single year for your birthday. That’s exactly what Dylan Dreyer does! Dylan is a weather anchor on the TODAY show, and she just turned 45 years old.
For 13 or 14 years, her birthday celebration has been a trip to Turks and Caicos — a gorgeous group of islands with crystal-clear blue water and white sandy beaches. But this isn’t just any vacation. It’s a family tradition with a very special twist.
Important Point: A tradition is something you do over and over again, like clockwork, because it means something special to you and your loved ones.
This Year Was a Little Different
Usually, Dylan goes on this trip with:
- Her three sons: Calvin (9), Oliver (6), and Rusty (4)
- Her former husband, Brian Fichera
- Brian’s extended family (parents, siblings, nieces, nephews)
But this year, two big things changed:
- Brian couldn’t come — he had work conflicts
- Two of her nephews couldn’t make it either
Most people might cancel the trip when plans change this much. But Dylan didn’t even think about canceling. She packed up her three boys and went anyway!
Why Dylan Kept the Tradition Alive
You might wonder: "Why go on vacation with your ex-husband’s family?"
Dylan’s answer is simple and beautiful: "Family is family."
Even though she and Brian are divorced, she still loves and feels close to his parents, his sister, and their kids. She calls them her "former in-laws" — that just means "the family I was related to through marriage."
The Most Important Reason: The Kids
Dylan says the #1 reason she keeps going is for her sons.
Important Point: When parents separate, kids can lose touch with cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles from the other side. Dylan is making sure that never happens for her boys.
Her sons get to spend a whole week playing with their cousins — swimming, going to water parks, eating dinners together, and making memories that last forever.
The Perks of a Big Family Vacation
Dylan got a wonderful surprise this year: extra helping hands!
With so many grandparents, aunts, and uncles around, the kids had tons of people to play with them. Dylan’s father-in-law even announced he was "primary" — which is a funny, official-sounding way of saying "I’m in charge of watching the kids at the pool and beach!"
This meant Dylan got something rare for a busy mom of three: time to relax.
Important Point: "It takes a village" isn’t just a saying — it’s real life! When extended family stays close, everyone gets support.
Dylan told TODAY.com: "I would just sit back and I’m like, ‘All right, I’m just gonna soak this in.’ I had a great time."
What We Can Learn from Dylan’s Story
Dylan’s co-host, Sheinelle Jones, pointed out something really smart: Kids do better when adults work hard to keep family connections strong — even after big changes like divorce.
Here’s what Dylan teaches us:
| Lesson | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Traditions matter | Keep doing the special things, even when life changes |
| Family isn’t just blood | The people you choose to love stay your family |
| Put kids first | Their relationships with cousins/grandparents are precious |
| Don’t keep score | Show up for each other, even when it’s not "your turn" |
| Accept help | Let grandparents and aunts/uncles pitch in — it’s good for everyone! |
Summary
Dylan Dreyer celebrated her 45th birthday in Turks and Caicos, continuing a 13+ year tradition with her former in-laws’ family. Even though her ex-husband Brian couldn’t attend this year, Dylan brought their three sons (Calvin, 9; Oliver, 6; Rusty, 4) because she values the bond her kids share with their cousins and grandparents.
The trip gave Dylan a rare chance to relax while her father-in-law took charge of pool duty. Her story shows that divorce doesn’t have to mean losing extended family — with effort and love, those connections can stay strong for the sake of the children.
FAQ
Why does Dylan vacation with her ex-husband’s family if they’re divorced?
Because she genuinely loves them! They were her family for many years, and she wants her sons to stay close to their cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Divorce ended her marriage to Brian, not her relationship with his family.
What does "former in-laws" mean?
It means the family you were related to through marriage. Since Dylan and Brian divorced, Brian’s parents and sister are technically her "former" in-laws — but she still treats them like family.
How does this help the kids?
Calvin, Oliver, and Rusty get to grow up knowing their cousins and having memories with their paternal grandparents. They don’t lose half their family just because their parents separated.
Did Dylan’s ex-husband Brian mind her going without him?
The article doesn’t say he minded — in fact, the trip was booked way in advance as a standing tradition. Brian had a scheduling conflict, but the tradition was important enough that Dylan went anyway.
Can other divorced families do this too?
Absolutely! It takes communication, kindness, and putting kids first. Not every divorced couple can do this, but many do — and experts say it’s one of the best things you can do for your children.
