The Summer I Turned Pretty: Susannah’s Letters Revealed

In the emotional August 27 episode of Prime Video’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” viewers witnessed a dramatic turning point when Belly (played by Lola Tung) nearly married Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) before Conrad (Chris Briney) confessed his lingering feelings for her. At the heart of this love triangle were the heartfelt letters written by Susannah Fisher (Rachel Blanchard), the boys’ late mother, intended to be read on their respective wedding days. These letters, written in traditional cursive handwriting, proved challenging for many modern viewers to decipher, prompting the show’s creator Jenny Han to share their contents on social media. Susannah’s words, filled with maternal wisdom and tender observations about love, provided a posthumous connection between her and the young characters navigating their complex relationships.

Conrad’s letter revealed Susannah’s joy at knowing her son had found someone special. “I am just bursting at the thought that my beautiful boy has found the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with,” she wrote. Susannah reflected on witnessing Conrad’s first experience with love, emphasizing how meaningful it was to see him not just loving someone but being loved in return. “Oh, the way she looked at you — it was like you were the only boy in the world. As a mother, there is no greater gift to see her child be so dearly loved by another person.” This letter, intended for Conrad’s eventual wedding day with Belly, was accidentally discovered by Jeremiah before his own planned nuptials with her, adding another layer of emotional complexity to the already tense situation. The revelation of these sentiments became a pivotal moment that forced all three characters to confront their true feelings.

Susannah’s advice to Conrad continued with practical wisdom about maintaining a loving relationship. “Don’t be afraid to tell her every day how very much she means to you. Cook for her, be a good listener, don’t try to win every argument,” she counseled. With motherly attention to detail, she even included advice about gift-giving: “Jewelry is always welcome. Pay attention to if she wears gold or silver. If she is not a jewelry girl, then chocolate.” These seemingly simple suggestions carried the weight of Susannah’s absence, offering Conrad guidance she wouldn’t be able to provide in person. The letter represented not just Susannah’s blessing of the relationship but also her attempt to continue mothering beyond her death, providing both emotional support and practical advice for her son’s future happiness.

The letter addressed to Belly, which viewers have yet to see her open on screen, contained equally touching sentiments that reflected the deep bond between Susannah and the young woman she considered a daughter. “Right now, I am picturing you today, on your wedding day, looking radiant and lovely, the prettiest bride there ever was,” Susannah wrote, imagining Belly at “about thirty or so, a woman who’s had lots and lots of adventures and romances.” This vision of Belly’s future showcased Susannah’s hopes for the young woman to experience life fully before settling down. With characteristic warmth and humor, she added, “I picture you marrying a man who is solid and steady and strong, a man with kind eyes. I am sure your young man is completely wonderful, even if he doesn’t have the last name Fisher! Ha.” This gentle joke about Belly potentially marrying outside the Fisher family adds poignancy given the current love triangle involving both Fisher brothers.

Susannah’s letter to Belly concluded with a deeply maternal expression of love that transcended biological connections. “You know that I could not love you more if you were my own daughter. My Belly, my special girl. Watching you grow up was one of the great joys of my life,” she wrote, reminiscing about Belly’s childhood wishes and dreams. She recalled “My girl who ached and yearned for so many things … a kitten you could name Margaret, rainbow roller skates, edible bubble bath! A boy who would kiss you the way Rhett kissed Scarlett.” These specific memories demonstrated the intimate knowledge Susannah had of Belly’s innermost desires, underscoring the depth of their relationship. Her final words, “I hope you’ve found him, darling. Be happy. Be good to each other,” serve as both blessing and guidance for Belly’s future, whatever path she might choose.

The revelation of these letters has added yet another emotional dimension to the already compelling narrative of “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” Susannah’s posthumous presence continues to influence the characters’ journeys, serving as both catalyst and comfort as they navigate the complexities of love, loss, and growing up. Her words, preserved in cursive handwriting that proved challenging for some modern viewers, bridge the gap between past and present, between mother and children, between childhood friendships and adult relationships. As the series continues to air on Prime Video each Wednesday, viewers are left wondering how these letters will ultimately shape the decisions of Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah as they determine their futures and confront the lasting legacy of the woman who loved them all.