Who doesn’t dream of having the kind of relationship Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines have? If you're one of those people, here’s some good news: Chip says the key to making it work is simple—unconditional love. And trust me, it's not just lip service. The Fixer Upper star really means it.

“Anyone can have what we have,” Chip, now 45, told E! News back in March 2020. “At the end of the day, I love Jo more than anything in this world. That’s the foundation of it all.”

Chip went on to explain that it’s about changing your mindset. “When you start thinking, ‘Hey, I love someone more than I love myself’—and believe me, I’m not the most humble guy out there—it’s a game-changer,” he added. “That’s when you know you’ve got something special.”

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From Skeptic to Soulmate: Chip’s Journey to Marriage

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Here’s the thing: Chip wasn’t always Mr. Perfect Husband material. In fact, he admitted that marriage wasn’t really on his radar early on. “I wasn’t built for marriage,” he confessed. “Back in my twenties, everyone around me was tying the knot—getting hitched at 21, 22, and having babies right after. I was thinking, ‘Are y’all insane? Who would want to do that?’”

But then something shifted. Enter Joanna Gaines, the love of his life. Chip first laid eyes on her through a family photo displayed in her dad’s tire shop. “Her dad made the mistake of putting up a picture of the family behind the counter,” Chip joked. “And there she was. I looked at that photo and thought, ‘Yeah, I’m going to marry that girl someday.’”

The Rest Is History

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Fast forward to the moment when fate finally brought them together. One day, Chip walked into Joanna’s dad’s shop and spotted her working there. “‘Hey, you’re the girl from the commercials,’” he said to her, breaking the ice. “We ended up sitting outside and talking for 30 minutes. The next day, he called the shop and asked me out. It was pretty romantic,” Joanna recalled with a smile.

And the rest, as they say, is history. Chip and Joanna tied the knot in 2003, and since then, they’ve built not only a loving marriage but also a thriving family and business empire. With five kids—Drake, Ella, Duke, Emmie, and Crew—they’ve created a life filled with love, laughter, and shared dreams.

Chip’s Advice for a Happy Marriage

So, what’s the takeaway here? According to Chip Gaines, it’s all about putting your partner first. “It’s not about being perfect—it’s about loving someone unconditionally,” he says. “That’s how you build a relationship that lasts.”

Whether you’re already married or dreaming of finding your own Joanna, Chip’s advice is worth keeping in mind. Love deeply, love fully, and don’t be afraid to put someone else’s happiness ahead of your own. After all, isn’t that what love is all about?