Jessie James Decker and her estranged brother, John James, recently reunited for a “cordial” family get together.
John revealed in a new podcast that their mother pushed for them to be together for a family birthday celebration in April after speculation that there was a falling out years ago between the siblings.
“I did not think there was a chance we would all be together in one room. Not a chance at all,” he said on the “The Spillover” podcast on Friday. “I was really on the fence about going because I just didn’t want to go and then it be awkward — granted, you know, some of us haven’t talked in years. But we decided to do that for her. And it was honestly amazing.”
John went on to say seeing their children interact made the reunion more than worth it.
“It was amazing, not only for us, but for the kids as well, like seeing all the kids play together was … it sounds silly to say, but it felt like a dream come true.
“[The kids are] so loving and so good with one another. So it was really amazing to see.”
John and wife Ally share daughters Emmy and Callie while Jessie and husband Eric Decker share daughter Vivi and sons Forrest and Eric Jr..
Their sister, Sydney Rae Bass, also shares two children — daughters Brooklyn and Blaire — with husband Anthony Bass.
While John was clearly moved by the camaraderie of the young cousins, he confirmed that he and his sisters refrained from any deep exchanges.
“With Sydney, [we picked up] right where things left off. You know, we were having fun, joking, being stupid like we always have historically together,” John shared. “But it wasn’t until a couple of days after that we actually saw Jess. And it was just very cordial for the sake of my mother, I’d say. There was definitely no heart to hearts or anything.”
While neither John nor Jessie has directly addressed their rift, a Reddit user shared a screenshot of an alleged conversation with John that many believe breaks down their issues, as he appears to accuse his sister of forcing “a conversation that wasn’t appropriate.”
Following their reunion, John believes the door is open for true reconciliation.
“That’s the hope,” he explained. “Not even just like for the sake of us, but for the sake of our kids because, you know, I don’t want our little girls missing out on some amazing aunts and uncles and cousins. So I definitely think it’s a start. A lot of wounds are still left to heal, but I definitely think it’s the start of something great.”
