The heartbroken husband of TikTok star Bailey Hutchins has posted an emotional Valentine’s Day tribute to his ‘soulmate’ after she died from cancer.
Devastated Caden Hutchins vowed to continue the inspirational legacy of the young nurse who grew a huge following as she bravely charted her two-year battle with the disease.
Caden, 28, underlined the enduring love of the couple, who were childhood sweethearts, in a moving video along with heart-warming photos featuring highlights of their 12-year relationship.
Bailey was aged just 26 when she died last week after battling colon cancer in her hometown of Bradenton, Florida.
The disease is a type of bowel cancer which kills around 16,800 people in the UK each year and has seen cases among young people rising at alarming rates.
Bailey used her social media platform to raise awareness of the condition and help encourage hundreds of thousands of followers to seek potentially life-saving early diagnosis.
Now Caden, who runs his own fishing company, has posted his personal tribute honouring the couple’s ‘love for each other over the years’ describing a series of photos as ‘pictures that put a smile on my face.’
There are 13 images in total – one for each year of their enduring romance all beginning with the words: ‘I loved you in…’
TikTok influencer Bailey Hutchins (right), 26, died on Friday after battling colon cancer. Pictured here in her hospital bed with husband Caden Hutchins, 28.
Bailey’s husband Caden Hutchins (left) posted his own personal Valentine’s Day tribute to his late wife honouring the couple’s ‘love for each other over the years’
Here is this year’s picture of Bailey taking a break while hiking together before her passing
Beginning in 2013 with a deep sea dive, the photos capture tender moments and important milestones in their lives.
They show the couple enjoying family events, holidays and their own wedding in 2023 with the final image featuring a smiling Bailey taking a break during a woodland walk overlooking the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year.
Announcing Bailey’s death just days earlier on her social media accounts Caden said: ‘I am devastated to say that my Bailey B has passed away last night.
‘She fought such a tough incredible fight these past two years and she’s no longer suffering from all the torturous pain she has endured during this journey.
‘Being your husband and caregiver has been such a blessing to me.
Alongside an image of Bailey overlooking a spectacular mountain scene surrounded by mountains, he added: ‘I am still in such disbelief and in denial that I lost my best friend.
‘You were and always will be such a light in any room you fill Bailey, and such an inspiration to others.
‘Your faith could move mountains baby, unfortunately God had bigger plans for you up above.’
The first image from 2013 shows Bailey scuba diving during the couple’s first year together
The 2014 image shows a happy Bailey and Caden posing inside a red tinsel heart
Two more instalments from Caden’s post, showcasing the genuine love between the pair
He signed off the heartbreaking announcement saying simply: ‘Until we meet again.’
Caden also took to Bailey’s TikTok account where he posted a video of the couple’s wedding day and said: ‘Last night our Bailey B passed on to Heaven.
‘Although we selfishly wanted her here forever, we are at peace knowing that she no longer has to endure any pain or suffering.’
Caden – who also works for his family’s firm which installs and services garage doors – told how the past month had been an ‘absolute devastating nightmare’.
But he added of Bailey: ‘Her spirit is as radiant as the sun. Bailey is such a light, and we plan on continuing to let it shine on.
‘Myself, and our families will share her platform to tell stories about great memories and knowledge passed on to us from B. She was and always will be such a spark to so many, her story will live on.’
Bailey’s older sister Ashley Rolfes, who she had followed into nursing, wrote on Instagram: ‘After a two-year battle of a terrible disease, my beautiful sister gained her angel wings.
‘There is nothing that can prepare you for a loss like this. I don’t even have the words to express the immense sadness and heartbreak I feel.
The couple look happy and relaxed for the camera in 2017 as they went for a nice meal together
The cuddle cuddled up in 2018 as they snuggle together for warmth in their winter hats
A mischievous Bailey pours beer into her husband’s mouth while getting a piggyback in the pool
‘You’re supposed to grow old with your siblings and lose your loved ones in a conventional way but last night we lost a sister, my parents’ baby girl, her husband’s soulmate and a friend to many.’
She told of the ‘special sisterly bond’ the pair had shared describing Bailey as her ‘best friend’.
Ashley added: ‘To think that I may live most of my life without her on this earth is unfathomable.’
Ashley, who recently became a mother to daughter Harper, told how Bailey’s death had shattered their plans ‘to raise our future kids together, travel together and create more memories’.
But she told of her pride that even in her darkest days Bailey had put the feelings of others ahead of her own and how she had impacted the lives of more than 200,000 people by sharing her cancer experiences.
She wrote: ‘She shared her journey, vulnerable moments, her wins, her losses and everything in between.
‘She saved lives, she brought people closer to their faith, she advocated for better healthcare and policy change.
‘She taught us the importance of taking care of your body. She raised so much awareness about colon cancer. I’m so damn proud of her.
Caden said his late wife ‘saw the beauty in the world around her’ and was ‘too good for this world’
‘She saw the beauty in the world around her. The last two years consisted of high highs and devastating lows. She suffered greatly but she hid it very well. She was too good for this world. ‘I love you so much Ba, forever and always.’
As a teenager, Bailey began posting images of her idyllic life in Florida – enjoying days out, boat trips and weddings and celebrations for family and friends.
Her posts also featured loving images of the good times she shared with Caden including adventurous holidays in the mountains as well as romantic strolls along beaches at sunset.
In 2020, Bailey proudly posted images of her graduation ceremony after she completed her college degree in nursing.
She went on to work for a period of time in the same medical unit as Ashley who she described as her ‘biggest role model’ who had inspired her to take up nursing.
By the end of 2022, Bailey was busy making her wedding preparations after getting engaged to Caden who she described as ‘the man of my dreams’ before adding in one message: ‘I can’t wait to grow old with you and build a life and family with you.’
But tragically just weeks later in February 2023, Bailey revealed her bombshell diagnosis.
In 2020, Bailey proudly posted images of her graduation ceremony after she completed her college degree in nursing
She told her 200,000 followers: ‘This is the toughest post to put out there.
‘I have been in the hospital for the last five days and have undergone two surgeries to identify and remove a tumour in my colon.
‘I currently have Stage 3 colon cancer which has obviously devastated me and my family. I am currently recovering in hospital from a colectomy, biopsy, appendix removal and removal of 52 lymph nodes. 20 … were positive.’
Bailey revealed that while the majority of the tumour had been cut out, surgeons were unable to safely remove a part which had attached to her spleen and pancreas.
She told how she was to undergo chemotherapy within the following four weeks.
The couple launched a GoFundMe page seeking to raise £120,000 in the hope that Bailey would one day be able to have children despite her devastating illness.
They were seeking funds to be able to increase Bailey’s chances of having a baby in the future with frozen eggs after being told that her treatment significantly reduces fertility.
Bailey continued to use her platform to speak about her medical journey and her determination to build up her strength and remain healthy in the face of her fight with cancer.
The couple launched a GoFundMe page seeking to raise £120,000 in the hope that Bailey would one day be able to have children despite her devastating illness
Bailey continued to use her platform to speak about her medical journey and her determination to build up her strength and remain healthy in the face of her fight with cancer
She revealed how her first sign was ‘excessive burping’ which she noticed while on holiday in Tennessee in 2021.
Then in November 2022, she also started to experience acid reflux, that at its worst would cause her to vomit.
Bailey said: ‘I didn’t Google it, and I Google everything, and I wish I would have Googled that as I probably would have gone to the doctor but I didn’t think twice about the fact that I burped.’
Bailey eventually sought treatment after suffering intense abdominal pain.
While documenting her illness, Bailey continued to highlight happy moments in her life including her wedding day in November 2023.
In one posting, Bailey revealed that her battle had given her new found strength and had helped turn her into a ‘fearless fighter’.
She wrote: ‘I used to always doubt what I was capable of and lack confidence in my abilities completely.
‘However now I have learned that I am unstoppable. Cancer may have stolen a lot from my life but I have also stolen a lot back. ‘
For 2023 Caden selected a shot of the couple on their wedding day, bathed in a beautiful golden light
2024 saw Bailey on the dancefloor with disco glasses in a little red dress
At the beginning of this year, Bailey’s health took a turn for the worse and she was soon back in hospital undergoing surgeries
Bailey told how she had gained ‘confidence, fearlessness and perseverance’.
But at the beginning of this year, Bailey’s health had taken a turn for the worse and Bailey was back in hospital undergoing surgeries.
In an update of January 26, Caden told Bailey’s followers they have been ‘taking it day by day’.
He wrote: ‘Bailey’s doing okay. I’m doing okay. We’re just doing the best we can right now. Just focusing on friends and family and just being present in the moment.’
Along with a clip of Caden and Bailey giving thumbs up signs they said: ‘We just want to say we love you guys.’
In her own final TikTok days earlier Bailey had asked her followers to pray for her.