Congrats to the happy couple: after five years together, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani [1] announced their engagement [2] on Tuesday! We've been rooting for them ever since the beginning, when a friendship that formed on the set [3] of The Voice slowly turned into something more after both of them went through divorces around the same time as each other. To celebrate their happy news, we're taking a look back at some of their cutest moments that have led them to this point. Keep reading to revisit the full history of how Shelton and Stefani met, fell in love, made music together [4], and worked towards their happily ever after!
Jul. 2015: Shelton and Miranda Lambert Announce Their Divorce
Lambert and Shelton, who had been married since 2010 and together since 2006, announced their divorce in July 2015. Us Weekly reported that the couple's divorce was finalized [7] almost immediately after the announcement. "This is not the future we envisioned, and it is with heavy hearts that we move forward separately. We are real people, with real lives, with real families, friends, and colleagues. Therefore, we kindly ask for privacy and compassion concerning this very personal matter," the couple said in a joint statement. It was the second divorce for Shelton, whose marriage to Kaynette Williams ended in 2006.
Aug. 2015: Stefani Files for Divorce from Gavin Rossdale
After thirteen years of marriage, nearly twenty years together, and three kids, Stefani and Rossdale annouced their divorce in 2015 [8]. "While the two of us have come to the mutual decision that we will no longer be partners in marriage, we remain partners in parenthood and are committed to jointly raising our three sons in a happy and healthy environment," they said in a statement to People.
Shelton told Billboard that his and Stefani's divorces happening around the same time was part of what brought them closer together, first as friends. "She didn't tell me much [9], because we didn't know each other at the time, but she said, 'I'm going through something very similar to what you're going through. I understand. And I hate it.' That's kind of how our friendship and bond started, that day... Next thing I know, I wake up and she's all I care about, and I'm wondering if she feels the same about me."
Nov. 2015: Shelton Confirms He's Dating Stefani
After rumours kept circling — along with paparazzi snaps of the co-stars looking very cosy at parties — Shelton's reps finally confirmed to E! News that he and Stefani were an item [11]. They stayed fairly low-key for a while, only starting to step out together in early 2016, like this photo at a pre-Grammys party.
Feb. 2016: Shelton and Stefani Make Their Red Carpet Debut
The couple made their first big appearance together at the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscars party, walking the red carpet hand in hand and posing for all the photographers along the way.