Ciara and Russell Wilson's love story feels like a romance movie. For five years and counting, the couple have been going strong, hitting milestones, and making us swoon over their bond. But believe it or not, their first date almost didn't happen due to a timing conflict. Things thankfully worked out, and the 34-year-old singer and 31-year-old Seattle Seahawks player eventually said "I do." [1] They now share 3-year-old daughter Sienna Princess [2], with another baby on the way [3], and are also parents to 5-year-old son Future Zahir Wilburn [4], whom Ciara shares with her ex Future. Between their cute parenting moments and heartwarming acts of love [5], we can't help but gush over Ciara and Russell's relationship. Keep reading to learn about their journey together!
2015: Ciara and Russell Meet and Their Love Story Begins
March 2015: In an Instagram Live video, Ciara and Russell revealed that they met on March 26, 2015 [6], when they attended a University of Wisconsin basketball game. They chatted a bit before Russell asked Ciara to dinner [7] around 9:30 p.m. He hoped to meet up with her after another dinner he already planned with a group of business partners. But that time was a little too late for Ciara, so Russell phoned his friends to push back their plans. He and Ciara ended up hanging out that evening, but never went to dinner. They instead talked for hours, and Russell's other plans slipped his mind. "I completely forgot about the 10:30 [p.m.] dinner," he said. "Next thing I knew, it was 12:00 [a.m.], 12:30 [a.m.], and I was sold on you."
April 2015: Ciara and Russell look as happy as can be during their first public appearance together at the White House's Japanese state dinner.
July 2015: Russell discusses their decision to remain celibate in an interview with Miles McPherson, a pastor at the The Rock Church. "She was in the dressing room getting ready to go before she went on stage, and she was sitting there, and God spoke to me and said, 'I need you to lead her,'" Russell said. "And I was like, 'Really?' And he was like, 'No, I want you to lead her.' So I told her, 'What would you do if we took all of that extra stuff off the table and just did it Jesus's way?'" Russell also touched on the challenges of abstaining, joking, "I ain't going to lie to you all now. I need you all to pray for us. I know you've seen her on the screen. If there's a 10, she's a 15."
2016: Ciara and Russell Level Up and Get Married
March 2016: Russell pops the question, proposing to Ciara on a private beach in the Seychelles. The NFL star announces the engagement on Instagram [8], writing, "She said Yes!!! Since Day 1 I knew you were the one. No Greater feeling."
July 2016: The pair marry in a gorgeous ceremony at the Peckforton Castle in Liverpool, England [9]. While Ciara stuns in a custom Roberto Cavalli gown and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, Russell sports a black-and-white tux.
October 2016: On her 31st birthday, Ciara reveals that she and Russell are expecting their first child [10] together. "On this special Birthday I received an abundance of love from friends and family," she writes on Instagram. "And I'm excited to Finally share one of the Greatest Gifts of All that God could give... 👶🏽🍼💃🏽☺️❤️."
2017: Ciara and Russell Welcome Their Daughter Sienna Princess
February 2017: Ciara publicly debuts her growing baby belly [11] alongside Russell at the MAKERS conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.
March 2017: The couple host an extravagant baby shower in LA [12]. Guests include Lala Anthony and Serena Williams, and Shake Shack is the caterer.
April 2017: Ciara and Russell welcome their baby girl [13], Sienna Princess. The "Promise" singer announces the birth on Instagram [14], writing, "Dear Sienna Princess Wilson, No matter how big the wave, we will always be your calm in the storm. We Love You. Love, Mommy & Daddy."
2018: Their Bond Grows Stronger, and They *Finally* Go on a Honeymoon
February 2018: Ciara shares the first photos of Sienna [15], which were shot by Russell. "She's The Sweetest Angel!" she captioned the pictures on Instagram.
June 2018: Ciara and Russell's professional lives merge together, as they join the Portland Diamond Project to help bring a Major League Baseball team to Portland, OR [16]. The initiave is led by Nike executive Craig Cheek, who Russell met when he signed an endorsement deal with the athletic brand.
July 2018: Two years after tying the knot, Ciara and Russell finally enjoy a honeymoon in South Africa where they walk with elephants and make efforts to stop the poaching of rhinos [17]. Later that month, they make their red carpet debut as a family at the Kids' Choice Sports Awards [18]. Russell is honoured with the award for "best cannon," but little Future and Sienna are the stars of the show.
2019: Ciara and Russell's Joint Business Ventures Expand
April 2019: Ciara and Russell launch their company, Why Not You Productions [19], which will develop film, TV, and digital projects. "While we work in different fields in our day-to-day, we are excited to come together to collaborate and create stories that we hope will touch people's lives," they announce in a joint statement. "We are both storytellers at heart, and we want to be able to share stories that uplift people and inspire others to create positive change. That's ultimately what we want this company to represent."
August 2019: The duo become members of the Seattle Sounders' ownership group [20]. "Football. Fútbol. We Love them both!" Russell tweeted [21]. "@ciara and I are fired up to announce we are Team Owners of the Seattle @SoundersFC one of the best football franchises in the world! We can't wait for our kids to grow up loving Football! Family is everything!"
October 2019: Ciara and Russell break the internet and slay the Halloween [22] game by dressing up as Beyoncé and JAY-Z from the "Apesh*t" music video [23].
2020: Ciara and Russell Reveal They're Expecting a Second Baby Together
January 2020: While vacationing in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Ciara reveals that she's pregnant with her third child [24]. She and Russell both share an Instagram photo of her growing baby belly [25], captioning the posts, "Number 3."
February 2020: Ciara shows off her baby belly in a gorgeous dress at Vanity Fair's Oscars afterparty.
April 2020: Ciara gets into the groove with Russell in an adorable dance video to Drake's "Toosie Slide [26]." She also opens up about her pregnancy experience amid the coronavirus outbreak, sharing how she has to FaceTime Russell during her doctor and ultrasound appointments [27].