Joanna Gaines' Inspirational Family Journey: A Tribute To Her Parents

Alaina April 17, 2025

Family has always been a driving force behind Joanna Gaines' success. The beloved star of the Magnolia Network credits her parents, Jerry and Nan Stevens, for their unwavering support as she rose to become a home design icon. Over the years, Joanna has shared glimpses of her life with her mom and dad, showing how they’ve cheered her on through every milestone and accomplishment. Their presence in her life has been a constant source of inspiration.

A Sweet Love Story: The Beginning of Joanna’s Parents’ Journey

Much like Joanna and her husband, Chip Gaines, Nan and Jerry have their own heartwarming love story. Their romance began in 1969 when Jerry was serving in the U.S. Army and stationed at a base in South Korea, Nan’s home country. It was at a party where their paths first crossed, and it was love at first sight—or so Nan says.

“Interestingly, according to my mother, she saw my dad sitting quietly in a corner at that party and told a friend, ‘That’s the man I’m going to marry,’” Joanna revealed in her book The Magnolia Story. “Her friends thought she was out of her mind, but she just knew. That kind of certainty and confidence in her heart is something that has always stuck with me.”

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Long-Distance Love: Building a Foundation for Their Future Together

After returning to the U.S. in 1971, Jerry kept the connection alive by writing letters to Nan while they were apart. Six months later, he proposed, and Nan moved to the U.S. to start their life together. They soon tied the knot and welcomed three children into their family: Joanna, Mary Kay “Mikey” McCall, and Teresa Criswell.

Jerry eventually opened a tire shop in Waco, Texas, where Joanna worked alongside him. This family business became a pivotal moment in Joanna’s life, as it was there she met her future husband, Chip Gaines.

Love at First Sight: Chip’s First Encounter with Joanna

Chip fondly recalls how he first fell for Joanna, all thanks to a family photo displayed behind the counter at Jerry’s shop. During a June 2018 interview with PopSugar, Chip shared, “Her dad made the mistake of putting a picture of the family behind the counter at his shop. I knew from that moment, just by looking at her picture on the wall, that I’d marry her one day.”

The Fixer Upper couple officially tied the knot in 2003 after two years of dating. Building a family together was always part of their plan, and Jerry and Nan have since become loving grandparents to Joanna and Chip’s five children: Drake, Ella Rose, Duke, Emmie Kay, and Crew.

A Legacy of Love and Support

On Father’s Day in June 2023, Joanna took to Instagram to honor her dad with a touching tribute. She shared a sweet photo featuring Jerry sitting alongside Chip and his dad, Bob Gaines.

“Three of the very best,” Joanna wrote in the caption. “What a legacy. Happy Father’s Day!”