The Heartbreaking Secret: What Susannah’s Wedding Letter Truly Said To Conrad In TSITP

As of December 11, 2025, the most intensely debated and emotionally charged mystery in the 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' universe revolves around the wedding day letters Susannah Fisher wrote for her sons. The specific contents of the letter intended for Conrad Fisher are the ultimate piece of foreshadowing, a heartbreaking message from a mother to her eldest son on the day she knew she wouldn't live to see. This letter is not just a sentimental note; it's the narrative anchor for the entire love triangle, confirming Susannah’s final, profound thoughts on Conrad’s future happiness and his relationship with Belly.

The letter's full text, later revealed by series creator Jenny Han, is a deeply personal and poignant expression of a mother's joy and gratitude. Its significance was amplified by a devastating mix-up in the final book of the trilogy, which Season 3 of the Prime Video series is expected to adapt. The core message focuses on Conrad's capacity for love and, most importantly, the singular time Susannah witnessed him truly in love and being loved in return—a clear reference point that has fueled the "Team Conrad" narrative since the story's inception.

The Full Text of Susannah’s Letter to Conrad Fisher

Susannah Fisher, played by Rachel Blanchard in the TV series, wrote two separate letters for her sons, Conrad and Jeremiah, to be opened on their respective wedding days. This act was a final, loving gesture to ensure her presence was felt on the most important day of their lives. The letter for Conrad is particularly significant because of its timing and the specific, emotionally resonant language Susannah uses.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

While the full, handwritten version of the letter is sometimes difficult to transcribe from the show's props, the key phrases and emotional core, confirmed by Jenny Han, reveal a message of overwhelming pride and gratitude.

The letter begins with a warm, maternal greeting, acknowledging the impossible reality of the day:

• "Dear Conrad, I can hardly believe my little bug is getting married today! I am just bursting at the thought that my beautiful boy has found the person he wants to spend his life with."

The most crucial and emotionally devastating passage, however, is the one that speaks directly to Conrad’s love life and his connection to Belly:

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

• "I only got to see you in love once, and for that I will always, always be grateful. Not just that I got to see you in love but that I got to see you be loved."

This single sentence serves as the ultimate piece of foreshadowing in the entire series. When Susannah wrote this, Conrad was in a relationship with Belly Conklin. The line confirms that, in his mother's eyes, the love he shared with Belly was the only true, defining, and reciprocated love she ever witnessed him experience. It's a powerful endorsement from the person who knew Conrad best, solidifying the emotional weight of their connection.

The Devastating Mix-Up: Why Jeremiah Read Conrad’s Letter

The dramatic tension surrounding Susannah's letters reaches its peak due to a simple, yet catastrophic, mistake. This plot point is central to the third book, "We'll Always Have Summer," and is expected to be a major event in Season 3 of the TV series.

In the narrative, Susannah wrote three letters: one for Belly, one for Conrad, and one for Jeremiah, all intended for their wedding days. A flashback in the series shows Laurel accidentally knocking over the tray of letters, causing them to get mixed up.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

The devastating twist occurs when Jeremiah, who is engaged to Belly at the time, is given a letter to read on his wedding day. Instead of receiving his own letter, he is mistakenly given Conrad’s.

Jeremiah reads the letter and is immediately confronted with the truth of his mother's words: "I only got to see you in love once..." The realization that the letter was not intended for him, and that his mother was referring to Conrad’s relationship with Belly, shatters him. This moment is the catalyst that forces Jeremiah to confront the reality of Belly's heart and the true nature of their relationship, leading to the eventual dissolution of their engagement.

The Profound Emotional Impact and Foreshadowing

Susannah’s letter to Conrad is arguably the most important non-character entity in the entire trilogy, acting as a spiritual guide for the characters' romantic destinies. Its impact extends far beyond the moment it is read.

The "Endgame" Foreshadowing

The line about seeing Conrad "in love once" is widely interpreted by fans and critics as the definitive confirmation of the Belly and Conrad (Bellyad) endgame. Susannah, the matriarch and the emotional center of the story, is essentially validating their relationship from beyond the grave. It suggests that even in the face of Belly and Jeremiah's engagement, Susannah knew where Conrad's true happiness lay.

The Parallel to Steven’s Gift

The letters also parallel another thoughtful gesture Susannah made before her death. In Season 2, Steven receives a box of graduation gifts from Susannah, including a note. This establishes a pattern of Susannah planning for her loved ones' future milestones, making the wedding letters a believable and deeply emotional part of her character.

The Weight on Conrad and Jeremiah

For Conrad, the letter is a deeply personal validation of his feelings for Belly. While he may not read it until much later in the story, the existence of the letter and its contents underscore the depth of his connection to Belly, a connection his mother recognized as unique and lasting. For Jeremiah, reading the letter is a profound betrayal, not from his brother, but from the universe. It confirms his deepest fear: that his relationship with Belly, despite its intensity, was not the "one true love" his mother had hoped for him, but rather a shadow of the love she witnessed between his brother and Belly. This moment is a tragic turning point for the "Jelly" ship.

Topical Authority: The Letters in TSITP Canon

The concept of Susannah’s letters is a classic literary device used to tie up loose ends and provide a final blessing or curse from a deceased character. In the context of "The Summer I Turned Pretty," the letters serve several key functions that elevate the story’s topical authority:

• Finality of Susannah’s Wish: They solidify Susannah's role as a benevolent, albeit flawed, matchmaker. Her final words carry immense weight for the children who loved her.
• Emotional Catalyst: The mix-up is a high-stakes emotional catalyst necessary to break the Belly-Jeremiah engagement without simply relying on a change of heart. It forces an external truth to intervene.
• Bridging Book and Show: By confirming the full text, Jenny Han ensures that the emotional core of the book's ending is maintained in the TV adaptation, even if the surrounding details change.

Ultimately, Susannah's letter to Conrad is a testament to the enduring nature of first love and a mother's intuition. It’s a message of hope for Conrad, a painful truth for Jeremiah, and a powerful, tear-jerking moment that ensures Susannah remains the emotional heart of Cousins Beach, long after she is gone.