Hayley Erbert counted down the highest 20 issues she loves about husband Derek Hough in honor of his fortieth birthday.
“Glad fortieth Birthday to my favourite particular person ever,” Erbert, 30, wrote through Instagram on Saturday, Might 17. “This world has been blessed for 4 a long time along with your presence and I’m fortunate to have had you in my life for a kind of.”
Erbert famous the particular significance of the Dancing With The Stars professional’s birthday by itemizing a few of her husband’s biggest qualities. (She wrote that she needed to make a High 40 countdown however “Instagram will solely enable 20, in order that’ll must do.”)
On the high of the record have been Hough’s “sense of journey” and “sweetness,” as effectively his “fixed” vitality and being “extraordinarily considerate.”
“Your expertise is out of this world. You’re a true inventive genius,” she wrote. “You reignited my spark for performing. I really like you endlessly for that.”
Erbert shared a few of Hough’s quirkier habits too, like his “impulse to signal [his] title/initials in all places.”
“It’s bizarre nevertheless it’s cute,” she quipped. “You’re a true weirdo 🫠 And also you make me snigger day-after-day.”
Extra critically, Erbert thanked her partner for his capability to “discover the sunshine in each second, even when it’s not so nice” and praised his “love for our infants [pets].”

Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough in 2024 Kayla Oaddams/Getty Pictures
“Thanks for all the time selecting me, even after I won’t deserve it prior to now 10 years. Additionally sure, it has been 10 years,” she concluded. “I really like you a lot, I might go on and on. Cheers to 40 years of life! To all of the laughter, the teachings, the milestones, and the love that simply retains deepening. And right here’s to the subsequent decade! No matter it brings, wherever it leads us, I’m excited to be proper by your aspect. All the time and without end.”
Hough was clearly touched as he replied to the publish to thank his “stunning warrior spouse.” Most of the couple’s mates adopted up with birthday messages of their very own for Hough.
“Ahhhh blissful birthdayyyy,” former Trendy Household star Sarah Hyland wrote to Hough.
Hough’s fellow Dancing With The Stars professional Valentin “Val” Chmerkovskiy was a bit saltier in his reply to the birthday message, branding his longtime pal a “younger ass.” (Chmerkovskiy turned 39 in March.)
On his personal Instagram web page, Hough revealed on Saturday that he’d been bracing Erbert for his milestone fortieth birthday for the previous few years.
He joked, “For the previous 5 years, I’ve been trying within the toilet mirror and telling @hayley.erbert , ‘Not dangerous for 40!’ She’d all the time snigger and remind me, ‘You’re not 40 but, you’ll be able to’t say that.’ Nicely, immediately’s the day I can formally say it: ‘Hey, not dangerous for 40.’”
Hough was by his spouse’s aspect when she suffered a near-fatal cranial hematoma whereas ready to go on stage on the couple’s “Symphony of Dance” Tour in Washington D.C. in December 2023. The DWTS professional credited Erbert and his sister Julianne Hough with staying constructive all through the restoration course of, which in flip gave him the energy to assist his partner.
“I keep in mind calling Julianne as a result of I used to be hysterical [as Hayley had surgery], and she or he type of calmed me down, and she or he goes, ‘It’s worthwhile to speak to her,’” Derek recalled whereas preventing again tears. “She stated, ‘Placed on one thing that’s soothing and delightful and simply speak to her whereas she’s in surgical procedure.’ And that was the one second I felt a way of management. I used to be like, ‘OK, I’m right here with you.’”
Hayley added. “Clearly having him by my aspect, and our household and our mates [got me through it]. I keep in mind Derek stated [to me], ‘Honey, there are such a lot of folks fascinated by you. There’s so many individuals sending you like and prayers.’
“That was really the primary time that I began crying,” she recalled. “I keep in mind simply bawling my eyes out and saying, ‘You didn’t even have to inform me that. I can really feel it.’ I felt this sense of overwhelming love and lightweight; it was probably the most religious experiences I’ve ever had. It was stunning, and I consider that’s actually what carried me by.”
The couple tied the knot in August 2023 after eight years collectively. They met when Hayley joined Derek and Julianne on their “Transfer Dwell” Tour in 2014.