“During my first season on Survivor: Amazon, there were many moments that stand out so brightly in my memory even after all these years. Winning the very first immunity challenge when the boys were so cocky made us women feel like we were on top of the world. I can still remember how the immunity idol smelled when we received it after winning. But, the moment that is my favorite moment would be when my father, Michael Morasca, got to visit me during the family visit challenge. For that challenge, we had to row a VERY rickety boat in the Rio Negro to various stations in the water and answer questions correctly about the Amazon to receive bags of puzzle pieces we had to put together. As soon as Probst said whomever wins gets a visit with their family member, we all basically broke down and started crying right then and there. Little did we know our family members were hidden in the bushes not far away watching us run the challenge to see them.

“Halfway through rowing, for some reason, I jumped out of the boat and started to try and swim (which we were told NOT to do due to the crocodiles in the water) thinking it would be faster. Matthew ended up winning and he had to come out into the water to help me ashore because I just started bawling right there in the water while I was trying to swim, knowing I likely wouldn't get to see my Dad. We were lucky that Matt was, and still is, an incredibly selfless person, and allowed us all to see our family members. Being able to share that moment with your loved one is a bond and experience that is unparalleled to anything else. Going to the Amazon to see me was the first and only time my Dad traveled outside of the U.S. He was so excited because the airline bumped him up to first class on the way to Brazil. I remember him saying, 'Jen, they gave me slippers and caviar in first class. I was wearing slippers and I never wear slippers and eating caviar and I hate caviar!' It was the best.

“Up until the day my father passed away suddenly a few years ago, he talked about that family visit he attended all the time. He was so proud of me and felt so honored he got to experience part of it with me. Playing Survivor is an incredible gift, winning Survivor is an incredible honor, and sharing the experience of what it's like to play Survivor with your loved one in an incredible memory I will never forget and my favorite memory that will stay with me forever.”