While celebrity relationships have their own unique challenges, there’s something about seeing love out in the open that reminds us that success in love is possible.
No matter what your age, the reality is this: Relationships take hard work, dedication, and commitment to move from talking to Instagram official to marriage.
Let’s look at a young couple who’ve done just that publicly: Jonathan Owens and Simone Biles.
While Simone is known worldwide as the most decorated gymnast of all time, her relationship with Jonathan started off just like it does for so many others: on a dating app.
It may be hard to believe, but NFL star Jonathan Owens wasn’t aware he was in the presence of a star when they first matched.
Now, he rocks a tattooed heart on his finger after several years of dating and a marriage that’s still in the newlywed phase (they’ve been married since 2023). What exactly can you learn from their fairytale whirlwind romance?
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Improve Your Communication
Before tying the knot, Simone and Jonathan said they would often find themselves arguing about athleticism. This clash might have been unavoidable given their professions, but a true partnership requires individuals to work together instead of competing against each other.
“We fought over it a couple of times and then vowed – once we got married – we wouldn’t talk about it again,” said Simone regarding their “Is football or gymnastics athletically more challenging” conversation.
You don’t need to wait until marriage to tighten up on you and your partner’s communication.
Remember, it’s you and your partner vs. the problem.
Lean into Your Friendship for a Strong Foundation
Jonathan notes that the beginning of the relationship was easy because they’d just talk for hours and had many shared interests.
Many couples with long, happy marriages report the same thing – that they were best friends before taking that next step. Discover and explore being friends as your foundation for lasting joy.
Build Your Own Life First
In a 2021 Glamour magazine article, Simone shared she’d had a lot of time to live her life after “retiring” from gymnastics before meeting her partner.
Between traveling, having fun, and just living, Simone developed an identity outside of gymnastics.
When she went into the relationship, she was able to bring the best of herself into it, too.
Whether you’re headed down the aisle or hoping to soon, one of the best things you can do for your relationship is actually focus on yourself.
That doesn’t mean you don’t do things with your partner. Rather, it’s a reminder that relationships work best when two individuals bring their full lives together.
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Strengthen your relationship before marriage with pre-marital and individual coaching and counseling. Here at The Marriage Movement, you can do just that.