1. First Meeting (2007)
How They Met:
- At a birthday dinner for a mutual friend in 2007, hosted by Veronica Mars co-star Ryan Hansen.
- Dax’s First Impression: He told Howard Stern he thought Kristen was “the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen” but didn’t pursue her because:
- He was newly sober (since 2005) and wary of dating.
- She was dating Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley at the time.
- Kristen’s Take: She broke up with Badgley weeks later and asked a friend for Dax’s number, texting him: “I’m Kristen Bell. I think we should be friends.”
Early Dates:
- Their first date was at a dive bar (Dax drank soda; Kristen had wine).
- Dax admitted on Armchair Expert he “love-bombed” her with grand romantic gestures early on.
2. Moving In Together (2008)
The Unconventional Timeline:
- They moved in together after just 4 months of dating.
- Dax’s Reluctance: He feared repeating past toxic relationships but later said Kristen’s emotional intelligence “rewired” him.
- Living Situation: Shared a modest L.A. home with their rescue dogs. Kristen joked: “We had a blow-up mattress and a toaster oven.”
Couples Therapy (Started in 2008):
- Began therapy within a year to address communication issues.
- Kristen told Shape: “We’d yell like siblings. Therapy taught us to fight fair.”
3. Engagement (January 2010)
The Proposal:
- Dax proposed mid-air in a helicopter over L.A., but it almost went wrong:
- Kristen was terrified of helicopters and cried the entire ride.
- Dax panicked and blurted: “Will you marry me? Because if not, this is really awkward.”
- The Ring: A vintage Art Deco piece Dax found at Irene Neuwirth Jewelry.
Why They Waited to Marry:
- Pledged not to legally wed until same-sex marriage was federally recognized.
- Kristen told People: “We couldn’t participate in a system that denied others that right.”
4. Secret Wedding (October 17, 2013)
The DOMA Decision:
- After the Supreme Court overturned DOMA in June 2013, they planned a courthouse wedding.
Wedding Day Details:
- Married at the Beverly Hills Courthouse with only Kristen’s mom and a friend present.
- Kristen wore a $60 pink dress from Zara; Dax wore jeans and a blazer.
- Celebrated with In-N-Out burgers afterward.
Post-Wedding Drama:
- Dax forgot to file the marriage license, leaving them legally unmarried for 3 weeks until a clerk called to fix it.
5. Parenthood (2013–2014)
Lincoln Bell Shepard (Born March 2013):
- Born 7 months before their wedding. Kristen joked: “We’re Method actors playing a married couple.”
- Birth Story: Kristen had a C-section; Dax passed out during the procedure.
Delta Bell Shepard (Born December 2014):
- Named after the Delta blues music Dax loved.
- Kristen’s postpartum depression led her to advocate for mental health awareness.
Parenting Style:
- No gender stereotypes (e.g., Lincoln’s favorite color is “all the colors”).
- No social media rule: Kids’ faces are rarely shown online.
6. Dax’s Relapse & Recovery (2016–2017)
The Relapse:
- After 16 years sober, Dax relapsed on painkillers following a motorcycle accident.
- Kristen gave an ultimatum: “I will not be with a partner who’s using.”
Rehab & Aftermath:
- Dax entered a 30-day program in 2016.
- Kristen told Ellen: “I was prepared to leave, but he chose us.”
- They renewed vows in 2019 as a recommitment.
7. Career Collaborations (2018–Present)
Armchair Expert Podcast:
- Launched in 2018, it’s now a Top 10 Spotify podcast.
- Kristen’s recurring “We Are Supported By…” episodes focus on parenting.
On-Screen Work:
- Co-starred in CHiPS (2017) and Bless This Mess (2019).
- Voiced animated couples (Frozen’s Anna & Zootopia’s Flash).
8. Their Relationship Philosophy
Secrets to Longevity:
- “No Secrets” Policy: They share phone passwords.
- Weekly Therapy: Even when things are “good.”
- Playfulness: Prank wars and roasts keep them laughing.
Famous Quote (Kristen):
“Love is choosing to make a million tiny sacrifices.”
9. Where They Are Now (2024)
- Reside in a sustainable L.A. home with solar panels and an edible garden.
- Advocates for therapy, sobriety, and LGBTQ+ rights.
- Still gush about each other in interviews—Dax calls Kristen “the most emotionally intelligent person I know.”
