Influencer Shay Martin has shared an emotional update on Instagram, marking a year since her husband Tanner Martin passed away from colon cancer.
In a video posted on Sunday, August 2, Shay addressed her followers, saying, “I know there are a lot of people on the internet that care a lot about AmyLou and I, so if that’s you this message is for you.” She noted the past year has been filled with both profound sadness and remarkable blessings. She added, “In the past year we’ve welcomed AmyLou, we’ve lost Tanner, I moved to Arizona, where I grew up, and I found love again.”
Tanner was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in November 2020. In June 2026, he passed away at the age of 30, shortly after the birth of their daughter, AmyLou, in May.
Reflecting on Tanner’s passing, Shay shared a poignant message he recorded: “Hey, it’s me, Tanner, if you’re watching this, I am dead. I had a heck of a life. I decided to make this video announcing my death because I saw someone did that, like, a year ago, and I think it’s a good opportunity to get all your thoughts out.”
In her post, Shay discussed Tanner’s wishes for her after his death, revealing that she has found the love he hoped she would. She stated, “Many of you saw Tanner express his wishes for me in a video, but I had the privilege of living this conversation with him many times over the course of the five years he fought cancer.”
Shay recounted how Tanner wanted her to find someone who would love their daughter AmyLou as his own and honor the life they built together. She expressed gratitude for finding someone who respects her memories with Tanner and loves AmyLou in the way Tanner would have wanted.
Shay emphasized that moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting the past, noting that people who haven’t experienced such a loss might not fully understand. She hopes they will listen to those who have.
She recalled, “I remember thinking to myself, even during the five years Tanner fought cancer, ‘I’m never going to remarry. I’m going to be alone and I’m just going to live with that.’” However, she eventually realized that love is limitless and that grief is a journey she will always walk.
The video shared by Shay included moments from her life with Tanner, their daughter AmyLou, and clips of her new husband, including their proposal and wedding, and scenes of him caring for AmyLou and visiting Tanner’s grave.
“Through every step of this journey, the people who knew us personally and loved us best — my family, Tanner’s family, our closest friends — they have walked alongside us at every single point,” Shay said. “They’ve grieved with us, they’ve supported us, and they celebrated with us when we found joy and love again.”
As Shay embarks on this new chapter, she clarified that the online presence she shared with Tanner was never intended to be a detailed account of their lives. She will continue to share parts of her life on her own terms, focusing on what matters most to her. She stated, “My first responsibility is to my family and not the internet,” adding that Tanner’s legacy was one of kindness and hope. She concluded, “That is the legacy I intend to continue honoring. I’ll do this by sharing goodness, educating others and bringing awareness to causes that matter.”
