Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples, celebrated for their playful banter, glamorous red-carpet appearances, and strong family bond. Their journey from colleagues to lifelong partners is full of heartwarming and humorous moments, reflecting a deep connection built on friendship, trust, and love. Let’s take a look at their romantic timeline.
The story began in 2010 when Reynolds and Lively met while working on the DC superhero film Green Lantern. Reynolds starred as Hal Jordan, the titular hero, while Lively played his love interest, Carol Ferris. At the time, both were involved with other people. Lively was dating her Gossip Girl co-star Penn Badgley, and Reynolds was married to actress Scarlett Johansson.
By the end of the year, both relationships ended. Lively and Badgley broke up in October 2010, while Reynolds and Johansson announced their divorce in December, finalizing it by mid-2011. Little did they know their next great love story was just around the corner.
Although Reynolds and Lively met in 2010, it wasn’t until 2011 that sparks began to fly. After the release of Green Lantern, both found themselves single and decided to hang out as friends. They even went on a double date – but with other people! According to Reynolds, it was during this double date that they realized their chemistry. He described the moment as “fireworks,” though it must have been an awkward experience for their respective dates.
In October 2011, rumors of their relationship surfaced when they were spotted together in Boston, where Reynolds was filming R.I.P.D.. A source confirmed their budding romance, noting how happy they seemed. By the holiday season, they were seen spending time together in Reynolds’ hometown of Vancouver, solidifying their relationship.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Blake Lively (@blakelively/Instagram)
2012: Secret Wedding in South Carolina
After about a year of dating, Reynolds and Lively tied the knot on September 9, 2012, at Boone Hall Plantation in South Carolina. The intimate ceremony included a children’s choir, a paper lantern sendoff, and a sour cream wedding cake with peach-apricot preserves. Florence Welch performed at the event, leaving a burn mark on Lively’s Marchesa wedding gown as an unintentional memento.
Years later, Reynolds expressed regret about choosing a plantation as their wedding venue, calling it “a giant mistake” and vowing to learn and grow from it. In private, the couple later held another ceremony at home to celebrate their union.
It wasn’t until May 2014, nearly two years into their marriage, that the couple made their official red carpet-debut at the Met Gala. They turned heads with their Old Hollywood glamour, showing the world that they were a power couple both on and off-screen.
In October 2014, Lively announced she was pregnant with their first child, sharing a glowing photo of her baby bump on her lifestyle website. A source close to the couple shared their excitement about becoming parents, describing them as “so in love” and ready to start this new chapter.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Blake Lively (@blakelively/Instagram)
2014-2016: Building a Family
In December 2014, Lively and Reynolds welcomed their first child, a daughter named James. Reynolds revealed her birthdate on Twitter a year later with his trademark humor, joking, “Happy birthday to my baby girl! Sad I lost my virginity. But thankful I have a daughter.”
In April 2016, news broke that Lively was expecting their second child. She proudly showcased her baby bump during the press tour for her movie The Shallows, including a stunning appearance at the Cannes Film Festival. That September, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Inez.
During this time, they continued to support each other’s careers while prioritizing their growing family. In December 2016, Lively and the children joined Reynolds at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, marking their first public appearance as a family. Reynolds gave a heartfelt tribute to his wife, calling her “the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Blake Lively (@blakelively/Instagram)
2019: Third Pregnancy and Taylor Swift’s Folklore
In May 2019, Lively debuted her baby bump at the premiere of Reynolds’ film Pokémon Detective Pikachu, announcing they were expecting their third child. They welcomed their third daughter, Betty, in October 2019, though they kept her birth private for some time.
The name Betty was later revealed in an unexpected way. In 2020, their close friend Taylor Swift included the names of all three daughters – James, Inez, and Betty – in her album Folklore. Fans were delighted by the tribute, further solidifying the bond between Swift and the Reynolds-Lively family.
The couple reached another milestone in 2022 when they were named co-chairs of the Met Gala, a significant honor in the fashion world. They once again stole the show with their outfits, perfectly embodying the Gilded Age theme.
Later that year, Lively revealed she was pregnant with their fourth child, debuting her bump at the Forbes Power Women’s Summit. By early 2023, the couple subtly announced the arrival of their new baby when Lively posted a family photo without her baby bump.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Blake Lively (@blakelively/Instagram)
2023-2024: Continued Success and Playful Moments
The past two years have been full of sweet moments and professional achievements for the couple. In 2023, Reynolds and Lively celebrated their love with a trip to Paris, strolling hand-in-hand through the romantic city. Later that year, they supported each other on the red carpet for their respective films – Deadpool & Wolverine for Reynolds and It Ends With Us for Lively.
Reynolds also revealed the name of their fourth child, Olin, while promoting his film. Meanwhile, their playful sense of humor remained intact, with Lively and Reynolds trolling each other over the Super Bowl and sharing cheeky tributes on social media.
Throughout their relationship, Reynolds and Lively have emphasized the importance of friendship, humor, and mutual respect. Reynolds once said, “We were buddies for a long time, which I think is the best way to have a relationship.” Their dynamic is built on a foundation of laughter and support, whether it’s roasting each other on Instagram or making heartfelt speeches about their love.
Beyond their love for each other, the couple is deeply committed to their family. Lively once praised Reynolds’ dedication, saying, “He races home, whether it’s from across the globe or a meeting across the street. He is hard-wired to get home.” Reynolds echoed these sentiments in his 2022 People’s Choice Awards speech, saying, “My family gives me more strength than any man could possibly deserve.”
From their chance meeting on the set of Green Lantern to becoming parents of four and Hollywood’s ultimate couple goals, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s love story is nothing short of inspiring. They’ve shown that a successful relationship requires a balance of humor, sincerity, and effort, all while keeping their family at the center of it all.
As their journey continues, fans remain captivated by their love, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in their swoon-worthy romance.
