Jan Stephenson made a name for herself as one of the early celebrities on the LPGA tour decades ago, emerging as the sport’s Rookie of the Year in 1975. She followed up on her conspicuous debut not just with success on the links (16 wins, 3 of which were majors), but with celebrity off of it, thanks to a risqué cover shoot for Sport magazine in 1977.
She was considered the first sex symbol of the LPGA, and in gaining notoriety across the globe, she had also caught the eye of a rising star in New York real estate world – Donald Trump.
During Stephenson’s first year on tour, LPGA Commissioner Ray Volpe had brokered a dinner between Stephenson and Trump at The Plaza in Manhattan. Trump let Stephenson know that he’d been following her progress on tour (surprising, given her very recent emergence), and mentioned an opportunity to work with his clientele in a promotional capacity.
The relationship escalated from there, with Stephenson saying to USA Today recently, “We got very close.”
Recalling the circumstances surrounding their fling, she speculates on the myriad reasons their relationship didn’t progress, “He was seeing Ivana and I at the same time. He was really open about it. She was an accomplished skier at the time, and he said she was prepared to give up her career to be with him. I told him I couldn’t do that. I think that was the reason it never worked out between us.”
After their relationship ran its course from 1976 until late 1977, Jan Stephenson says Trump started to get very serious with Ivana, marrying her soon thereafter in 1977.
The Trump campaign had been contacted by USA Today to offer comment but declined to do so.
The two stayed friendly after their the relationship’s dissolution and Trump’s marriage. Stephenson claims Trump “never acted inappropriately” during their time together or afterwards, but she suspects him of gloating when he offered her a visit to Trump’s Castle in Atlantic City. Ivana was the president of operations at the time of the, so Stephenson feels Trump was showing off.
She says of the invitation he extended, “It was kind of a double sword. I think that was his way of saying ‘look what you could have had.'”
Say goodbye or make amends.Image via Canva - Photo by Inna Postnikova
Friends recording on a camcorder.Image via Canva - Photo by capturenow
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.