Blame it on baseball! Kate Upton and Justin Verlander’s relationship has had some ups and downs, but overall, the couple has knocked it out of the park romance wise.
The pair has baseball to thank for their meet-cute, working together in February 2012 on the set of a commercial for the Major League Baseball 2K12 video game. Nearly a year later, the duo made their relationship public in January 2013.
Although they split in mid-2013, they were back together by January 2014, reuniting in the Bahamas for a romantic getaway. Two years later, the MLB player popped the question and after Verlander won the World Series with the Houston Astros in November 2017, they headed to Italy to tie the knot the same month.
“I knew she was doing a change, but didn’t know what it was,” Verlander exclusively told Us Weekly in March 2018 of his wife’s surprise wedding dress change into a sheer Christy Rilling Studio gown. “The second I saw her in that, I was like, ‘OK, time to go. Let’s get out of here. Wedding over!”
The duo honeymooned in Europe, beginning in Puglia, Italy, with the pitcher telling Us that he and Upton are “doers” who “want to experience towns and cities wherever we are.” He described the romantic trip, saying, “We rented a car and drove to little towns. We learned the history and experienced the food. It was a lot of fun.”
The model and baseball star celebrated their one-year anniversary in November 2018, days before welcoming their first child, daughter Genevieve on November 7.
“This year has been the best year of my life! It had a crazy beginning with a World Series win and the BEST wedding weekend, where I got to marry my best friend and love of my life,” the Other Woman actress wrote via Instagram at the time. “Now to celebrate our love and our first year of marriage we are preparing to welcome a new addition to our family. I’m so excited to go through this journey of life with you! I love you so much! Happy One Year❤️.”
Verlander reflected on the last decade on New Year’s Eve in December 2019, including their biggest life changes since meeting.
“It’s been such an incredible decade! Meeting my best friend, getting married and starting a family has been the most amazing gift ever!!! Nothing tops that,” he wrote via Instagram. “On the field … winning a championship, throwing a couple no hitters and winning a few awards along the way has been an incredible journey. The friendships that have grown or began this past decade will continue on for decades to come. Truly blessed 🙏🏻🙏🏻. Now bring on the next decade!!”
The athlete concluded: “My daughter will be 11 when it’s over. Can’t wait to see what it holds for us all. Everyone be safe and have a wonderful New Years!”
Scroll down to relive Upton and Verlander’s romance ups and downs through the years.