Let’s talk about something real. Joanna Gaines is spilling her heart about the tough times she and husband Chip Gaines have faced during their nearly two-decade marriage. In the fall 2022 issue of their lifestyle magazine, Magnolia Journal, Joanna dives deep into those moments when life felt overwhelming. If you’ve ever wondered how they’ve navigated the ups and downs, this is a must-read.
When Life Feels Uncontrollable
Joanna, now 44, opens up about the challenges that have tested her and Chip’s relationship over the years. “In our 20 years of marriage, we’ve been through it all—times when hope seemed lost, and circumstances felt completely out of our control,” she shares. “There were moments when all I could do was lay face down on the floor in surrender, just trying to let go and trust the process.” Joanna goes on to reveal that they’ve faced heartbreak together, and it’s made them stronger as a couple. It’s not just about the hard times, though—it’s about how they’ve grown through them.
A New Chapter: Saying Goodbye to Drake
As parents, Joanna and Chip are about to experience another emotional milestone. Their eldest son, Drake, is heading off to college at 18. While it’s a bittersweet moment filled with gratitude and excitement, Joanna admits it’s still tough to let go. “Soon, our oldest son, Drake, will be leaving home for college,” she writes. “In the grand scheme of heartbreaking things, this one comes with a lot of gratitude and excitement. But still, my first child is moving away, and our family dynamic will change because of it. It can feel like a loss of its own.”
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Joanna shares how she’s already imagining what life will look like without Drake at home. “I catch glimpses now of what that life will be like, and I wonder how many times it might bring me to the floor,” she adds. But don’t worry—there’s still plenty of love and laughter at home with their other four children: daughters Ella Rose, 15, and Emmie Kay, 12, and sons Duke, 14, and Crew, 4.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Fame
Joanna and Chip’s love story began in Waco, Texas, back in 2001. They started dating and were married just two years later on May 31, 2003. Less than six months after their wedding, they opened their first business, Magnolia Market, turning a dream into reality. Fast forward to 2013, and their HGTV show, Fixer Upper, catapulted them to international fame. The show ran for five seasons, and their success didn’t stop there. They launched home decor collections, their own magazine, and eventually their own TV network, Magnolia Network, which debuted in January 2022.
Commitment: The Foundation of Their Marriage
Despite the challenges they’ve faced, Joanna and Chip have always maintained one thing: commitment. “One thing that I would say is our superpower is that Jo and I are not quitters,” Chip, 46, told Access Hollywood in June 2021. “Throwing in the towel is not something that ever comes to mind.” He emphasizes that early in their marriage, they both agreed that divorce was not an option. “We’re not perfect, and we’ve had our share of trials and errors, just like anyone else,” Chip admits. “But somehow, that foundation of commitment has served us well.”
