Giada de Laurentiis has expressed her mixed feelings surrounding her daughter Jade’s departure for university, marking a significant transition in both their lives. In a heartwarming celebration of Jade’s new chapter, the chef and her ex-husband Todd Thompson gathered with friends and family for a beachside sendoff on August 9, 2023. Jade, who has turned 18, will be heading to New York University, where her mother has plans to be nearby.
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Sharing the joyous occasion, De Laurentiis took to Instagram to post a series of images featuring the trio enjoying their time together. The ambience was filled with celebration, as both De Laurentiis and Jade donned elegant sundresses, while Thompson opted for a casual look in shorts and a polo shirt. The atmosphere was underscored by De Laurentiis’s gratitude towards her loved ones, whom she credited for supporting Jade’s journey to this point in her life.
In one of the videos, De Laurentiis can be seen thanking everyone present for lifting up her daughter, whom she referred to as “an awesome kid.” Amidst the smiles and laughter, the family indulged in a group hug, emphasizing their close-knit relationship. The event included various decorations, such as silver balloons spelling Jade’s name, alongside a heartfelt red heart-shaped balloon.
“The celebration was all about our girl before we send her off… we are so proud of you,” De Laurentiis wrote in her Instagram caption, which also conveyed her bittersweet emotions. “It’s time to go to college! 😭❤️.” Earlier this year, during an interview with PEOPLE, she revealed her plans to remain relatively close to Jade, with an apartment in New York already at her disposal. “I’m thinking of buying a house somewhere outside the city, maybe in the Hamptons, just so it doesn’t look like I’m looking to hang out with her,” she noted regarding her desire to be available if Jade needed support.
The culinary star has shared numerous milestones with her daughter over the course of the year. This includes the joyous announcement captured on December 14, 2022, when Jade received her acceptance letter from NYU. De Laurentiis and Jade were seen cheering and celebrating together in an emotional Instagram Reel, with De Laurentiis wiping away tears of joy at the momentous achievement.
Additionally, the proud mother commemorated Jade’s senior prom earlier in the spring. Sharing a series of images, Jade looked elegant in her black strapless dress complemented by a matching scarf, drawing praise from her supportive family. Thompson expressed his pride in the post, remarking on the love they all hold for Jade during this important time.
Turning 18 earlier in March, Jade was the focus of another heartfelt tribute from her mother, who marvelled at how quickly time had flown. “I blinked and woke up with an 18-year-old this morning 😭,” wrote De Laurentiis, expressing immense gratitude for the bond the two share. Her reflections highlighted Jade’s qualities of wit, kindness, and beauty, as she celebrated her daughter’s transition into adulthood.
In the January interview, De Laurentiis elaborated on the emotional shift of Jade heading to university, admitting that the role of motherhood was changing. “That moment of being a mom is sort of done,” she said, noting the adjustment of not having her daughter around every day after 18 years. “It’s really exciting, but I think it’s also incredibly emotional.”
The chef shared that while she is thrilled for Jade’s future, the prospect of her daughter pursuing independence evokes a sense of sadness. “I’m super excited for her to fly and find herself, but at the same time, it’s incredibly sad. I’m gonna miss her terribly,” De Laurentiis confessed during their college tours in March.
This transition into college life is marked by both joy and sorrow for De Laurentiis, illustrating the complexities of motherhood as children grow into young adults. Ultimately, this period signifies not just an ending, but also an exciting new beginning for both Jade and her mother as they navigate this chapter together.