Understanding the Heart of Cousins Beach: Why Belly’s Affection for Jeremiah Was Real and Necessary
In the sun-drenched, salt-sprayed world of Cousins Beach, the central question for many fans of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” isn’t just who Belly will end up with, but why her heart is so compellingly torn. While her epic, lifelong crush on the brooding Conrad Fisher often takes center stage, her deep and evolving relationship with his younger brother, Jeremiah, is far more than a simple love triangle complication. So, why did Belly like Jeremiah? The answer, it seems, is woven into the very fabric of their shared history, his radiant personality, and his unwavering ability to offer her something she desperately needed: present, uncomplicated happiness. Belly’s affection for Jeremiah wasn’t a consolation prize; it was a genuine, powerful connection rooted in friendship, safety, and the intoxicating feeling of being truly seen and chosen.
To dismiss Belly’s feelings for Jeremiah is to misunderstand a crucial part of her journey. He was her “sunshine boy,” the golden retriever-hearted friend who offered a port in the emotional storm that was Conrad. Exploring the depths of their bond reveals why, for a significant part of her life, Jeremiah wasn’t just another option—he was the right one.
The Bedrock of a Lifelong Friendship
Before any romance, there was friendship. This is perhaps the most critical and often overlooked element of the Belly and Jeremiah dynamic. While Conrad was an idealized, almost mythical figure in Belly’s childhood narrative, Jeremiah was her partner on the ground. He was the one who engaged in her silly games, who shared her love for the pool, and who never made her feel like a little kid tagging along. Their connection was built on years of shared laughter, secrets, and experiences.
- Partners in Crime: From belly flops into the pool to late-night candy runs, Jeremiah was Belly’s co-conspirator. He matched her energy and enthusiasm for the simple joys of summer, creating a foundation of shared memories that was light and fun.
- An Equal Footing: With Conrad, Belly often felt she was trying to catch up or prove her worth. With Jeremiah, she was always his equal. He saw her, joked with her, and included her without the weight of expectation or the confusing haze of unrequited love.
- He Taught Her to Dance: In a pivotal scene from the show, it’s Jeremiah who patiently teaches a clumsy Belly how to dance for the debutante ball. This moment is a perfect metaphor for their relationship: he meets her where she is, guides her with a gentle hand, and turns a moment of anxiety into one of joy and connection.
This long-standing friendship meant that when romantic feelings did begin to surface, they grew from a place of genuine understanding and mutual affection. He already knew her—the real her, not just the idealized summer version—and he liked her for it.
A Haven of Safety and Emotional Availability
Perhaps the most compelling reason Belly liked Jeremiah was his profound emotional availability, which stood in stark contrast to Conrad’s guarded, often impenetrable nature. For years, Belly’s love for Conrad was a one-sided conversation where she was left to decipher his moods, interpret his fleeting glances, and cling to small gestures like the stuffed bear, Infinity.
Jeremiah, on the other hand, was an open book. He offered Belly something revolutionary: clarity.
“He was my best friend, and I was his. It was that simple.” – Belly, ‘It’s Not Summer Without You’
When Jeremiah felt something, he said it. When he was happy, he showed it. When he was hurt by her and Conrad, he communicated it. This directness was a balm to Belly’s soul, which had been so often bruised by uncertainty. With Jeremiah, she didn’t have to guess if he liked her; he made it abundantly, joyfully clear. He provided a safe harbor where her feelings were not only welcomed but reciprocated in a way she could see and understand. He was the person she could turn to when Conrad’s hot-and-cold behavior became too much to bear, and he would consistently offer comfort, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on.
He Saw Her, He Chose Her, He Celebrated Her
A core human desire is to be seen and valued for who we are. Throughout much of her adolescence, Belly felt invisible, especially around Conrad. She spent years pining for his attention, changing her appearance, and hoping he would finally *see* her as more than just a kid sister figure.
Jeremiah always saw her.
He was the first to notice when she arrived at Cousins looking different in Season 1, his “Belly, what happened?” ringing with genuine awe and appreciation. At the debutante ball, while Conrad was distant and conflicted, Jeremiah’s eyes were locked on her, full of admiration. He consistently vocalized his attraction and affection for her, making her feel beautiful, desired, and chosen.
This validation was incredibly powerful. For a young woman navigating the insecurities of her first real forays into love and romance, Jeremiah’s explicit choice of her was intoxicating. He didn’t make her work for his affection; he gave it freely and enthusiastically. He wanted to be with her, and he made sure she, and everyone else, knew it.
Jeremiah vs. Conrad: A Tale of Two Loves
To fully appreciate why Belly’s relationship with Jeremiah was so significant, it helps to compare the dynamics of the two loves that defined her youth. They weren’t just two brothers; they represented two entirely different kinds of relationships.
| Feature | Relationship with Jeremiah (The Sunshine Boy) | Relationship with Conrad (The Enigma) |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Style | Open, direct, and expressive. Feelings are stated clearly. | Guarded, subtextual, and often silent. Feelings are implied. |
| Emotional Core | Joy, fun, security, and living in the present moment. | Angst, longing, mystery, and focused on past hurts/future hopes. |
| Belly’s Role | An equal partner, a cherished friend, and the chosen one. | A pursuer, an emotional detective, and often waiting for a sign. |
| Expression of Love | Verbal affirmations, physical affection, public displays of partnership. | Brooding glances, rare sentimental gestures (e.g., the Infinity necklace). |
| Conflict Resolution | Often involves direct conversation, though sometimes explosive. | Typically involves withdrawal, misunderstanding, and emotional distance. |
This table highlights that what Jeremiah offered was not a “lesser” love, but a fundamentally different one. It was a love grounded in the reality of the here and now, built on communication and mutual joy—a stark and appealing alternative to the epic, yet often painful, yearning she felt for Conrad.
The Embodiment of Summer: Living in the Moment
Jeremiah is the personification of summer itself. He is bright, warm, and full of life. He represents the carefree, spontaneous spirit of Cousins Beach that Belly cherishes. When she is with him, she is able to live completely in the moment. Their relationship is characterized by laughter, adventure, and a shared sense of fun.
Think of their moments together:
- Blasting music in his car, windows down.
- The explosive fun of the “fireworks war” on the Fourth of July.
- Impulsive swims and lazy afternoons by the pool.
This is incredibly important, especially as the world around them grows more complicated with Susannah’s illness and the looming pressures of adulthood. The heavy, sorrowful atmosphere that often surrounds Conrad is counterbalanced by Jeremiah’s radiant energy. He provides an escape, reminding Belly that love and life can still be light, fun, and beautiful, even amidst pain. He doesn’t just distract her from the sadness; he actively infuses her life with happiness, showing her a way to navigate grief without being entirely consumed by it.
Maturity and Growth: Was It More Than a Rebound?
A common critique from “Team Conrad” enthusiasts is that Belly only turned to Jeremiah as a rebound when Conrad broke her heart. While Conrad’s actions were often the catalyst that pushed Belly and Jeremiah closer, their subsequent relationship proved to be far more substantial.
In the third book, “We’ll Always Have Summer,” we see Belly and Jeremiah in a two-year relationship at Finch College. This is a critical detail. Their love wasn’t just a fleeting summer fling; it survived the transition to the real world, away from the magical bubble of Cousins. They built a life together, integrating their friends and daily routines. Jeremiah was her steady partner, the one who was there for the mundane and the momentous. Their decision to get married, while impulsive and youthful, came from a place of genuine love and a desire to formalize a bond that felt real and lasting to them at that moment.
This period demonstrates that Belly’s feelings for Jeremiah were not fickle. She truly loved him and saw a future with him, one built on the stable foundation they had cultivated over years of friendship and romance.
Conclusion: The Irresistible and Necessary Pull of the Sunshine Boy
Ultimately, the reasons why Belly liked Jeremiah are multifaceted and deeply human. She liked him because he was her best friend before he was her boyfriend. She liked him because he made her feel safe, seen, and utterly cherished. He was the boy who chose her out loud, who matched her joy, and who offered a love that felt like sunshine after a long storm.
Their relationship was a critical stage in Belly’s emotional development. Jeremiah taught her what it felt like to be in a partnership with open communication and mutual adoration. He showed her that she deserved to be happy in the present, not just to wait for a distant, uncertain future. While her journey ultimately led her back to Conrad, the love she shared with Jeremiah was not a detour; it was a necessary and beautiful part of the path. He was the sunshine she needed to grow, and the love he gave her helped shape the woman she became—one who finally knew what she wanted and deserved from a partner.