Jared and Genevieve Padalecki: A Timeline of Their Relationship

Credit: Vince Flores/startraksphoto.com

Jared and Genevieve Padalecki: A Timeline of Their Relationship

Supernatural gave Jared Padalecki a whole lot more than 15 years of steady work. The hit CW drama also introduced him to his wife, Genevieve Padalecki (neé Cortese). The actors met on the set of the series in 2008 and went on to welcome three children: son Thomas, son Shepherd and daughter Odette. Before the arrival of the couple’s first child, Jared gushed to Us Weekly about caring for Genevieve. “I’ve been trying to do everything I can to be the classic father: When she needs ice cream, I go get ice cream. If she needs a foot massage, I do the foot massage,” he explained in January 2012. “I’ve [been] doing everything I possibly can.” He added: “Obviously I’ve been working, so I can’t be there all the time when she needs me, but I make sure she has what she needs when she needs it and when I get home at night.” [jwplayer 8kS5nZEf-zhNYySv2] Years later, Genevieve got real about making time for their marriage. “Jared and I have been together for 11 years and married for nine. Throw three kids in the mix and a career that takes him to Canada most the year, and keeping the romance alive can be hard,” she wrote in an August 2019 blog post. “As boring as it sounds, we’ve found that the best way to reconnect is to schedule a date night (or day) as often as possible. Our goal is weekly, but that happens pretty much never. I’m happy if we can reconnect and do something fun together, just us, twice a month.” Jared proved his affection for the actress only grows over time, paying tribute to her with a PDA-heavy Instagram post in January 2018. “To my sweet angel, my dh, and the love of my life (and the only person who’s allowed to smush my nose into my face whenever they want) @nowandgen, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” he raved. “I’m so grateful to be sharing this world and this life with you. There is no me if there is no you.” After more than a decade together, the couple made their first appearance as husband and wife on another CW series: Walker. The idea was pitched to Jared and Genevieve during their 10-year anniversary dinner by the show's creator, Anne Fricke. Jared proposed the idea to his wife and she was onboard, albeit apprehensive. "I was concerned that people might actually think it was his idea or that they would have preconceived notions," she told Us Weekly exclusively. Scroll through to revisit Padalecki and Cortese’s lasting relationship — from Supernatural to married with three kids. [podcast_block]

Credit: Vince Flores/startraksphoto.com

Jared and Genevieve Padalecki: A Timeline of Their Relationship

Supernatural gave Jared Padalecki a whole lot more than 15 years of steady work. The hit CW drama also introduced him to his wife, Genevieve Padalecki (neé Cortese). The actors met on the set of the series in 2008 and went on to welcome three children: son Thomas, son Shepherd and daughter Odette. Before the arrival of the couple’s first child, Jared gushed to Us Weekly about caring for Genevieve. “I’ve been trying to do everything I can to be the classic father: When she needs ice cream, I go get ice cream. If she needs a foot massage, I do the foot massage,” he explained in January 2012. “I’ve [been] doing everything I possibly can.” He added: “Obviously I’ve been working, so I can’t be there all the time when she needs me, but I make sure she has what she needs when she needs it and when I get home at night.” [jwplayer 8kS5nZEf-zhNYySv2] Years later, Genevieve got real about making time for their marriage. “Jared and I have been together for 11 years and married for nine. Throw three kids in the mix and a career that takes him to Canada most the year, and keeping the romance alive can be hard,” she wrote in an August 2019 blog post. “As boring as it sounds, we’ve found that the best way to reconnect is to schedule a date night (or day) as often as possible. Our goal is weekly, but that happens pretty much never. I’m happy if we can reconnect and do something fun together, just us, twice a month.” Jared proved his affection for the actress only grows over time, paying tribute to her with a PDA-heavy Instagram post in January 2018. “To my sweet angel, my dh, and the love of my life (and the only person who’s allowed to smush my nose into my face whenever they want) @nowandgen, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” he raved. “I’m so grateful to be sharing this world and this life with you. There is no me if there is no you.” After more than a decade together, the couple made their first appearance as husband and wife on another CW series: Walker. The idea was pitched to Jared and Genevieve during their 10-year anniversary dinner by the show's creator, Anne Fricke. Jared proposed the idea to his wife and she was onboard, albeit apprehensive. "I was concerned that people might actually think it was his idea or that they would have preconceived notions," she told Us Weekly exclusively. Scroll through to revisit Padalecki and Cortese’s lasting relationship — from Supernatural to married with three kids. [podcast_block]

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July 2008

The Gilmore Girls alum met Genevieve when she guest-starred as Ruby during season 4 of Supernatural. “What made it work is that we got to know each other for about four months before we went on a date,” he explained during a 2012 Supernatural panel.

Credit: Courtesy Jared Padalecki/Instagram

October 2009

Jared proposed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in October 2009. However, the pair did not announce their engagement until the following January.

Credit: Courtesy Jared Padalecki/Instagram

February 2010

The duo tied the knot in Genevieve's hometown — Sun Valley, Idaho — in February 2010.

Credit: Courtesy Jared Padalecki/Instagram

March 2012

The newlyweds revealed in October 2011 that they were expecting their first child together. They welcomed son Thomas (a.k.a. Tom) in March 2012.

Credit: Courtesy Genevieve Cortese/Instagram

December 2013

The twosome’s second child, son Shepherd (a.k.a. Shep), was born in December 2013.

Credit: Courtesy Jared Padalecki/Instagram

May 2015

Jared, who has been open about his struggles with depression, made headlines in May 2015 when he canceled a convention appearance. “I am in desperate and urgent need of my family,” he tweeted at the time. “I am so sorry to tell you this but I must head home.” 

The actor later detailed the reason behind his hiatus. “I was 17 years old when I moved to Los Angeles, and I just kind of got into a habit. … Everything was like, work, work, work, work, do, do, do, do,” he told Us in June 2015. “And the last summer, my life has changed a lot. I have a wife. I have two sons, and so I really needed a chance to just unplug. And it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I’ll probably do it every year.”

Credit: Courtesy Jared Padalecki/Instagram

March 2017

Genevieve gave birth to their third child, daughter Odette, in March 2017.

Credit: Courtesy Jared Padalecki/Instagram

April 2019

Jared and the Wildfire alum ran the Boston Marathon together in April 2019. “I always thought that running was a solo sport but little did I know it takes a village to push you across the finish line,” she wrote via Instagram. “I couldn’t have done it without my partner in crime @jaredpadalecki, awesome coach and amazing running group from @trail_roots and the support of all of you towards our cause, #DreamBig!”

Credit: Vince Flores/startraksphoto.com

November 2019

The House of Wax star was arrested in October 2019 on two misdemeanor counts of assault. Genevieve, in turn, showed her support for her husband with an Instagram post. “‘Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.’ – @brenebrown,” she shared in November 2019.

Credit: Courtesy Jared Padalecki/Instagram

February 2020

Jared and Genevieve celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in February 2020. “Ten years ago today, I was able to convince my best friend to marry me,” he gushed via Instagram. “I can’t even imagine what I must have done in a past life to deserve to be able [to] spend THIS one with this phenomenal women [sic]. I am the luckiest man alive. Love you baby. Here’s to 10 THOUSAND more.”

The Flashforward alum shared an equally heartwarming post. “10 years ago today I said ‘I do,’” she wrote. “The snow started to fall and we sealed our fate. We’ve grown a million different ways and back over the last 10 years but we’ve always grown together. I’m so lucky it’s you. I’d do it all over again. Here’s to 100 more.”

Credit: Courtesy of Jared Padalecki/Instagram

May 2020

“To my one and only. My wife. The #GOAT. Thank you,” the Texas native wrote via Instagram in a Mother’s Day tribute to his love. “Thank you for being born. Thank you for our wonderful family. Thank you for inspiring and motivating me to be the best version of ‘me.’ I love you for more than just your perfect cabbages. #HappyMothersDay.”

Credit: Courtesy of Genevieve Padalecki/Instagram

June 2020

“To the leader of this crew and dad who wears many hats. Thanks for being the ultimate listener, kid tosser, explorer and teacher,” Genevieve wrote via Instagram in a celebratory Father’s Day post. “Thanks for these beautiful children and our family. And thank you for having my back. And as Odette says ‘you’re the best Daddy.’ We love you to the moon. ♥️.”

Credit: Courtesy of Genevieve Cortese/Instagram

July 2020

“Happy Birthday to my favorite grizzly,” the actress wrote on Jared's 38th birthday. “Thank you for all the adventures. The view is always better with you ❤️.”

Credit: Courtesy Genevieve Padalecki/Instagram

September 2020

Genevieve honored Jared's final day of filming Supernatural with a sweet Instagram tribute. “Jared, what you have given to [your character] Sam Winchester, to the cast, the crew, the friends you’ve met, the family you’ve grown, is immeasurable,” she wrote. “You walked in [as] a young kid of 23 and walked away married to a demon and spawned 3 children. I am so proud of this adventure and everything you gave to it.”

Credit: Courtesy Genevieve Padalecki/Instagram

November 2020

The actress shared cute throwbacks of “the first pics I ever took on the set of #Supernatural” with Jared while celebrating the show’s series finale. “It’s a bittersweet evening in our home. Tonight is the last new episode of SPN. Something that’s been with us (or at least my husband) for 15(!) years,” she wrote via Instagram. “It’s no secret that @jaredpadalecki and I fell in love on Supernatural. Because of this show, we’re now celebrating almost 11 years married, 3 amazing kids, traveling the world together and making incredible friends who have formed and shaped who we are today.”

Credit: Courtesy Genevieve Padalecki/Instagram

November 2020

Genevieve gave an inside look at what Thanksgiving looked like in the couple’s home amid the coronavirus pandemic. In the post’s caption, she even made a joke about Jared “walking outside with no shoes” on his feet. “Not traditional and not how we thought 2020 would go, but spending it with our kiddos doing their things,” she continued. “Whatever you’re doing I hope you are surrounded by love or loving on yourself. Be gentle and kind with yourselves.”

Credit: Courtesy Genevieve Padalecki/Instagram

January 2021

The Wildfire actress kicked off the new year by sharing a sweet pic of herself alongside her husband. “2020 was up s--ts creek, but looking forward to more family adventures in 2021... ESP with you! @jaredpadalecki,” she wrote via Instagram.

Credit: Rebecca Brenneman/The CW

January 2021

After more than 10 years together, Jared and Genevieve starred opposite one another as husband and wife for the first time on the CW's Walker. The idea came from the CW series' showrunner while Jared and Genevieve were out celebrating their anniversary — a detail that made it seem fated.

"He was so enthusiastic about it and onboard and then proposed the question to me, it felt like such a great anniversary present in a weird way," she shared with Us exclusively. "It coincidentally came together in this perfect way that it just felt like a glove. It was just so cool."

Credit: Courtesy Jared Padalecki/Instagram

January 2021

Genevieve got real about how the couple balance their relationship with all the other demands in their lives. “It sounds so boring, but it’s all about just scheduling time,” she exclusively told Us. “That’s on multiple facets. From, ‘Hey, we’re going to take time the two of us just to be completely alone.’”

She added that they rekindle their bond through date nights: “We just look in each other’s eyes and connect because even though we’re connecting on set or connecting at home, there’s constantly people around or we’re having to multitask.”

Credit: Courtesy Jared Padalecki/Instagram

January 2021

“Forever grateful that my best friends also happen to be my family. 🙏🏻,” the Gilmore Girls alum captioned multiple snaps with his wife.

Credit: Courtesy Genevieve Padalecki/Instagram

May 2021

The lovebirds packed on the PDA in a series of photos taken by their 7-year-old.

Credit: Courtesy Jared Padalecki/Instagram

July 2021

“840 years later we got here right in time to prop her up,” the Texas native joked while holding his wife up near the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Credit: Courtesy Genevieve Padalecki/Instagram

July 2021

“HP you are ✨Pure Magic ✨ Happy Birthday @jaredpadalecki so grateful to celebrate another year with you ❤️🎂🥂.” the actress wrote via Instagram while celebrating her love’s 39th birthday in Italy.

Credit: Courtesy Jared Padalecki/Instagram

January 2022

Jared shared an Instagram photo of himself kissing Genevieve in honor of her 41st birthday. “Happy birthday baby,” he wrote. “Thank you for spending 14 straight birthdays with me, for putting up with me and for having questionable eyesight whenever you look at me. I am the luckiest man on the planet. I couldn’t love you more.”

Credit: Courtesy Genevieve Cortese/Instagram

June 2022

"To the best. You raise the dad bar ❤️," Genevieve gushed via Instagram in honor of Father's Day. Jared, for his part, replied in the comments section that he "couldn’t last an hour" without his wife by his side. 

Credit: Courtesy of Jared Padalecki/Instagram

October 2022

"As a parent, you give your children everything … In return, they give you lice…. 😭🤦‍♂️ Hope y’all’s weekend is off to a better start than ours!!!" the San Antonio native captioned a photo of him and his wife with their hair being treated for the pests.

Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

December 2022

"Marriage is the best and most amazing adventure in the world," Gen told Austin Lifestyle for their December cover story. "And like farming, there are some good seasons and not so great ones. Marriage takes a lot of love and nurturing. Throughout our lives we change and evolve into many different people. So, in a partnership, you're both constantly growing and it's impossible to always grow together, whether it's in parallel lines or intertwined at the same time. The best advice that's been helpful for me is to take time and try and understand where your partner is coming from, and before reacting to anything that maybe feel incendiary or frustrating, give it 24 hours."

Credit: Suzanne Cordeiro/Shutterstock

April 2023

The Towwn founder praised her husband while recalling a "difficult" time in her second pregnancy.

"Not to get dark with things, my sister right now is doing great and kicking ass, and so we can laugh about it now, but she fell four stories off a building when I was pregnant with Shep," she said on the "Bathroom Chronicles" podcast. "I also learned a bit from Jared at the time because he's like, 'We've been here a month, I need to go back to Texas, I need to kind of see my family, I need to regroup.' Because we had been working nonstop then this happened."

Genevieve continued: "So I actually ended up learning a lot from him, that it's okay to take a time out and that's not a selfish thing, that's actually an act of love and that really helped."