When it comes to strong marriages, Chip and Joanna Gaines of Magnolia Network fame set the bar high. But if you dig a little deeper, it's no surprise they're such a powerhouse couple. Joanna credits her parents, Jerry and Nan Stevens, as the ultimate role models for what a healthy, long-lasting relationship looks like. These two have been together for an impressive five decades! Let's dive into their incredible love story and how it shaped Joanna's life.
The Love Story That Began Across the Globe
Joanna Gaines, author of Magnolia Table, often talks about how her parents' love story inspired her own marriage. Their journey began in 1969, a time when the world felt much bigger than it does today. Jerry, serving in the U.S. Army, found himself stationed in South Korea, where he met Nan. It wasn't love at first sight for Jerry, but Nan? She knew right away. As Joanna recalls in her book The Magnolia Story, her mom spotted Jerry sitting quietly in a corner at a party and declared, "That’s the man I’m going to marry." Her friends thought she was out of her mind, but Nan was certain. And, as it turns out, she was right.
Jerry eventually returned to the U.S. in 1971, but he wasn't about to let distance tear them apart. For six months, the couple exchanged letters, keeping their love alive despite being miles apart. Finally, they got engaged, and Nan took a leap of faith, flying to the United States to start a new life. "I can’t imagine the idea of a 19-year-old little girl getting on a plane, flying to America," Joanna said during an episode of her podcast, The Stories We Tell With Joanna Gaines. "Dad picks you up in his VW Bug in San Francisco. You get married on the courthouse steps in your cutoff jean shorts, tank top, all the things. You drive all the way from there to Wichita to start your life."
Read also:When Savannah Guthrie Asked Tom Hanks To Coanchor On Today
Of course, no marriage is perfect, and Jerry and Nan had their fair share of challenges early on. "From what they’ve told me, they actually had a rocky marriage for several years," Joanna revealed in her memoir. "There were times, they say, when they didn’t think they would make it because all they did was fight." But after Jerry's mother passed away, he had a profound realization. He envisioned himself in a casket, surrounded by his family, and it hit him how off-track his life had become. Determined to change, Jerry found a job at a Firestone tire store in Waco, Texas, setting the stage for the next chapter of their lives—one where Joanna would eventually meet Chip.
Jerry and Nan celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in June 2017, and Joanna marked the occasion with a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. "All the odds were against them, but they fought through and became an example of how to love, fight for, extend grace to and honor each other amidst all their many differences," she wrote. On their 50th anniversary in June 2021, Joanna took to social media once again, gushing about her parents' "most beautiful love story."
Where Are Jerry and Nan Now?
These days, Jerry and Nan continue to call Waco home, where Nan often leads prayer groups at Magnolia Market. They're also proud grandparents to Joanna and Chip’s five children: Drake, Ella Rose, Duke, Emmie Kay, and Crew. And let's not forget about Joanna's siblings! Her younger sister, Mary Kay “Mikey” McCall, is a mom of six, while her older sister, Teresa Criswell, is a mom of one. The Stevens family continues to thrive, proving that love, commitment, and a little grace can go a long way.
