Marriage may seem extra difficult when you're also celebrities and business partners. But Chip and Joanna Gaines have managed to make it work.
The couple both went to Baylor University in Waco, Texas — but at slightly different times. They ended up meeting in a much more peculiar way. Chip was a customer at Joanna's father's automotive shop and managed to spot a picture of her that was behind the counter. He instantly fell in love. "I knew I'd marry her one day just by the picture on the wall," he told Popsugar.
He kept on using her father's business until he finally got to meet her. At the time, she was working in the office. "We met in the waiting area and hit it off immediately," she told the publication. "He was genuinely engaging and he had such a sincere smile."
The two have proven their love with 17 years of marriage. Together, they've managed to be a big part of HGTV. They hosted Fixer Upper and have helped plenty of fans decorate their homes. However, they still manage to prove their genuine love. And they're doing it in a way that seems sincere. They may be one of the strongest celebrity couples out there.
The couple got married in 2003. To celebrate the huge occasion (since 17 married years is literally a huge accomplishment), Chip chose to share a photo of the big day with their shared fan base on Instagram. But the sweetest part about it was the message. It's obvious Chip is still very much in love with his bride.
"Everything about you has made everything about me better," he wrote. "And 17 years later I'm still learning from and loving on the most incredible woman in the world. After all these years Joanna Lea Stevens, you really are the girl of my dreams. Happy 17th sweet girl. I love you."
The two have accomplished so much in their 17 years. Aside from getting married and starting to grow their spotlight, they also chose to grow their family. The two are parents of Crew, who's nearly 2 years old, as well as sons Duke and Drake and daughters Emmie and Ella. They definitely have a full house.
Drake was their first child, whom they reportedly named after a hotel they stayed at. So these two are true romantics at heart. They seem to both value the little details of their relationship, and they know how to keep the spark alive, even after all these years.
However, Joanna has admitted before that like everyone, their relationship still requires a lot of work. "Match made in heaven is not the term you would use to describe us," she told People magazine back in 2016. "But when we mixed our personalities together, it created a spark."
Throughout the years, Chip has made a point to tell Joanna how lucky he is to be with her. Compliments like that often go far, especially after having so many children and often losing any sort of spark or energy. And much like the name of their son, many of their ventures are also named after key moments of their love story.
Such as the name of their boutique. "When we were just dating, I would pick these blooms from Magnolia trees," Chip once said, per HGTV. "So when we had the opportunity and were trying to figure out what to name her little boutique, Magnolia Market just stood out to us."
Their network of choice also chose to spotlight another reason why Chip and Joanna's relationship is so successful. Chip seems to always be listening to Joanna, and he still has the ability to surprise her in unexpected ways. Anecdotes from back when they were dating tell the full story.
"When we were dating I said that I wanted to play the drums one day," Joanna said. "And, the next day he had this whole drum setup, and I learned how to play the drums." Sure, that type of romance might not be in everyone's budget. But it's the thought that counts. Partners should always encourage each other to reach their individual goals.
Many times, people with kids forget to make time for themselves, both individually and as a couple. Chip and Joanna have carved out a date night on their calendar to make sure it's always a priority. "Chip and I have a standing date night once a week," Joanna wrote in her Magnolia Journal magazine, per People. "We usually choose to stay close to home and rotate through our favorite dinner spots."
While their plans may seem a little different this year, at least they can reflect on what an incredible 17 years they've had together. Who knows what would have happened had Joanna's dad not put her picture up in his shop. We may never have gotten Fixer Upper, which is one of HGTV's biggest shows.
Especially since their very first home project was their own. Chip and Joanna bought a house after they married that needed a ton of renovations. "We started renovations on it immediately after we came home from our honeymoon," Joanna told Popsugar. "All I could remember is the smell. The house was bad. Chip did all the construction, and I remember many nights he was on his hands and knees staining floors or laying tile."
From there, Joanna also learned her love of home decor — which is something that's now part of her career. That first house they renovated had themed rooms, which the star now realizes was a bad choice. However, you learn from the mistakes you've made — and surely, Joanna's early input helped add to the home's charm.
Chip and Joanna Gaines are a wonderful example of a couple who makes time for their relationship. Part of that is that they don't consider working together as "quality time," and they realize the importance of focusing on each other. Hopefully, they have a wonderful anniversary, with many more glorious years ahead of them.
