Chip & Joanna Gaines’ Marriage Would Not Have Happened If Chip Did Not Take Her Ultimatum over His Trip Seriously

HGTV stars Chip and Joanna enjoy a mishmash of business and pleasure as the duo successfully partners to own the Magnolia empire. However, after almost a decade as a couple with kids, they tell fans that it would not have been possible if Chip did not show a similar level of commitment.

Chip and Joanna Gaines, both authors, are successful business owners. They created the Magnolia brand, a home, and lifestyle brand, and allied to host HGTV's home design series "Fixer Upper."

Alongside their brand creation, they co-run a Magnolia Network. The onscreen partners have also established an inseparable connection following their eighteen years of marriage.

Although many fans admire their bond, they are unaware of the intricacies of their relationship and how it ever happened. Chip, who nearly sabotaged his chances with Joanna, proposed to her after one year of dating.

Having proven that he possessed all it took to win her heart, Joanna accepted and has shared nearly two decades of her life with the man of her dreams. Here are insights into the love that rarely happens!

CHIP AND JOANNA'S FIRST MEETING

Some romantic stories begin with love at first sight, but it was more exciting with the Gaines. Undoubtedly, the fairytale sparks happened when they met, but Chip already loved Joanna before seeing her physically.

Fortunately for Chip, he saw Joanna's photo in her dad's automotive store in 2001. According to him, his future father-in-law made the mistake of showcasing his family's portrait behind the counter. In his words:

"Her dad made the mistake of putting a pic of the family behind the counter at his [automotive] shop. I knew I'd marry her one day just by the picture on the wall."

Chip became a frequent visitor who hoped to meet the striking beauty in the picture. His friends also noticed his regular trips and joked about how often he fixed his brakes.

On one occasion, he met Joanna. She was working at the office. The two connected instantly and began to enjoy each other's company. While the store owner's daughter was smitten by Chip's engaging conversation and genuine smiles, her visitor could not resist patronizing the shop. They eventually scheduled a date.

A DATE TO REMEMBER

For their first date, neither of them planned a venue. Instead, the pair decided to meet up at Joanna's sister's home. The girls were eager to see him, but Chip delayed the meeting by being ninety minutes late.

Joanna was upset and instructed her sister not to answer the door, but her sibling wanted to meet the engaging guy, and finally, Chip was allowed in—the first thing he did was charm the ladies with his greetings.

The HGTV actress explained in their book "The Magnolia Story" that he did not apologize for the mistake. Instead, he asked where she would like to eat.

Joanna added that she assessed his looks on their first date and couldn't believe that he was the same person—Chip had shaved his hair to support a friend with cancer and looked tanned, yet, he managed to whisk her away with something she is yet to describe.

TROUBLE IN PARADISE AND THE ULTIMATUM THAT CHANGED THINGS

Over the years, Chip made tons of mistakes, but he has been fortunate to have a solid partner by his side. Before reaching 30, he ran three businesses and engaged with Mexican clients.

However, it was difficult to communicate with them, so he took a three-month Spanish course in Mexico. Joanna stepped in to run things while he was out of town and was supportive of his absence.

While overseeing the business, she worked for 8 hours in her father's automotive store. It was a daunting task, and the businessman failed to update her. Chip quipped:

"Although her talent for bookkeeping was unmatched, I had sorely underprepared her for the events that were about to unfold."

That was not his only mistake. Chip neglected financial matters, which led to angry employees disturbing his lover of six months; they also harassed Joanna's dad for the debt. After expressing her rage over the phone, Joanna added:

"You have three days to get back to Texas or this relationship is over."

This made Chip embarrassed and scared. So he hurried back to apologize to Joanna's father and redeem his lover. While speaking about the experience, Chip mentioned that his father-in-law forgave him easily. According to him, "The pitiful look on my face must have been powerful. [Then], I witnessed his expression melt from anger to grace."

RARE TRUTHS ABOUT THE COUPLE'S ENGAGEMENT

While Chip made errors, he knew how to correct them by working his spell on his lover and those around her. Finally, after one year of dating, he surprised her with a proposal.

Chip told his lover they would attend a private concert, but he took her to a shopping center near his parents' hometown. There, he popped the question, and of course, she agreed to be his!

The couple later visited a jeweler, Billy Holder, who was friends with Chip's dad, so that Joanna could pick her wedding ring design. As if the surprise proposal was not enough, Chip organized a private family dinner without informing his fianceè. They drove to Archer City hotel, joining families from both sides to celebrate the news.

At the dinner, their families admired Joanna's noticeably huge diamond. She had picked a round diamond with a classic twist at Holder's, but he gave her a flashy ring and promised to work on her design.

Joanna was aware that it was fake, but nobody could tell until Chip spilled the beans. Then, twelve years later, Holder came with a set of diamond rocks, with instructions from her husband, to change it. After glancing at the set, she told him:

"I'm sorry, but no. This is the original diamond I picked, and it's perfect just the way it is."

THE BIG DAY AMID PAST TROUBLES

Despite the origin of her engagement ring, the couple manifested something creative. They tied the knot in 2003 in Earle Harrison House & Pape Gardens, constructed in the 1980s.

Their Texas wedding was in the historical and prestigious center with a capacity for two hundred guests and wedding packages beginning at three thousand dollars.

As soon as they said their "I dos," the couple purchased their first house, where they birthed the flipping home project. They renovated their home and continued with other properties.

LIFE AS A MARRIED COUPLE

The HGTV stars began an empire by opening their first retail store, Magnolia Market, in 2003. But, while they develop their legacy, they also keep the fire burning in their relationship.

Through her posts, Joanna informs fans that her years with Chip have been fun despite its ups and downs, and she intends to stick with him forever. In 2018, she shared a throwback image of their wedding day, with a caption that read:

"It's been a good fifteen years @chipgaines Here's to fifty more."

BECOMING PARENTS

The following year after their wedding, they became parents to Drake. Their first daughter, Rose, came in 2006, followed by Duke in 2008, Emmie Kay in 2010, and in 2018, Crew joined the pack.

LIFE AS PARENTS

Apart from making a success out of their business and marriage, the couple prioritizes their kids. Chip stated that they aim to become better lovers because it would reflect on their parenting. In his words:

"Jo and I both made a commitment pretty early on that the two of us are the most important variable. If we can figure out how to be right as a couple, then obviously we have a lot better opportunity to be right for our kids."

Thankfully, they have made the correct choices for their five-person band by being admirable lovers. This has come at a price; the couple admitted that building a family and an empire has been tasking, but with each other's help, that is where they thrive.