Chip & Joanna Gaines: How Their Love Story Began
Chip and Joanna Gaines are goals -- relationship goals, decorating goals, parenting goals ... pretty much just everything goals. But their marriage and the sweet chemistry they share is probably the best thing about them. They stole our hearts when their hit HGTV show, Fixer Upper, debuted in 2013, where they took old homes that desperately needed a renovation and turned them into beautiful spaces. They have since capitalized on the success of the show, growing their Magnolia business into a major lifestyle brand. What started as Magnolia Market is now a full-fledged empire that includes a restaurant, bed and breakfasts, a line of furniture, home decor, and so much more.
But how did it all get started? Well, any fan of the show will say it began in Waco, Texas, where Chip and Joanna lived and went to college. More than 15 years of marriage and five kids later, the couple is still going strong.
(They certainly created quite the life for themselves and their family.)
Though they announced in 2017 that they would no longer be continuing Fixer Upper, the couple has many other projects in the works -- including their own television network. They've also penned a memoir called The Magnolia Story, which gives readers some insight into their lives as a couple and their road to success. From retail to restaurants, television to books, Chip and Joanna are our favorite couple that give us inspiration from everything from parenting to home decor.
Take a look at Chip and Joanna's relationship timeline for even more inspiration.
Date #2
Several months (yes, months) later, Chip asked Joanna on a second date. Even though they hit it off, Chip made a bet with his friend to "see who could hold out the longest before calling [their] dates back," Chip explained in their memoir, The Magnolia Story.
"I really wanted that $50 from John! That's the only reason I didn't call," he wrote.
They Got Hitched
In 2003, Chip and Joanna made it official by getting married in Waco (of course) in a place that looked very much like where the two had their first date, Joanna told Us Weekly.
And Baby Makes ... Six!
Chip and Joanna welcomed their first child, Drake, now 13, in 2005. He was followed by daughter Ella Rose, 11, Duke, 9, and Emmie Kay, 7.
'Fixer Upper' Is Born
Fixer Upper became an instant hit with 1.9 million people tuning in to watch the pilot episode. Chip and Joanna quickly became household names, and the beloved TV show was renewed for five seasons.
Denying Divorce Rumors
In 2017, rumors began to swirl that Chip and Joanna were getting divorced. Chip quickly cleared that up by responding to a fan on Twitter who wrote, "I'm so sick of these 'stories' claiming @joannagaines and @chippergaines breaking up."
"Won't ever happen ... you can take that to the bank! #loveOfMyLife," Chip responded, denying a divorce is on the horizon.
Family Over Everything
With success and fame, Chip and Joanna still manage to focus on each other and maintain a strong marriage. Chip told People magazine in 2017, "For us, the most important thing in the world is Jo and I’s relationship followed very quickly by these four beautiful kids."
'Fixer Upper' Ends
After five seasons, Chip and Joanna announced that Fixer Upper would be coming to an end. Chip has since hinted he felt "caged" on the show and that it was a lot for his family to juggle.
A Fifth Baby
Chip and Joanna surprised the world when they announced they were expecting their fifth child on January 2, 2018. "Gaines party of 7. (If you're still confused, WE ARE PREGNANT)," Chip captioned photo of a pregnant Joanna.
Welcome Crew
Baby Crew was born in June and was the little bundle who completed this family. "Our baby boy, Crew Gaines, is here and we couldn’t be more in love," Joanna Gaines gushed in this Instagram post. "He made an unexpected (and speedy) entrance into the world two and a half weeks early - which is fitting given he was a sweet surprise from day one. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We are so grateful."
They're Each Other's Biggest Fans
There's no denying how much Chip and Jo are in love with each other.
(This is seriously cute.)