Yahoo Finance Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott are engaged! Revisit their relationship timeline
Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott's whirlwind romance has hit a new milestone.
The "New Girl" alum and the HGTV star became engaged a little over a week after they celebrated their fourth anniversary with sweet Instagram tributes dedicated to each other.
The couple shared the engagement news in a joint post on Instagram Monday. Deschanel, 43, and "Property Brothers" host Scott, 45, shared a selfie in which Deschanel is holding up her left hand near her face with a massive new ring adorning her finger.
"Forever starts now!!! 🥰♾️🥰" the caption reads.
The two first met in August 2019 while filming a sibling-themed episode of "Carpool Karaoke: The Series," which featured Scott, his twin brother Drew Scott, Deschanel and her sister Emily Deschanel.
Scott told Access Hollywood in April 2020 that they had "instant chemistry" and the couple has been head over heels in love since, sharing countless photos, memories and laughs.
Deschanel was previously married to musician Ben Gibbard from 2009 to 2012 and film producer Jacob Pechenik from 2015 to 2020. She shares two kids with Pechenik, Elsie, 8, and Charlie, 6. Scott was previously married to Kelsy Ully from 2007 to 2013.
To mark their engagement, revisit the couple's love story.
August 2019: Zoey Deschanel, Jonathan Scott 'clicked' on set
Call James Corden cupid.
"How cool was that that the first time we ever met was caught on tape," Scott told Access Hollywood. "So I guess a big thanks to James Corden. It's because of ('Carpool Karaoke: The Series') that we met."
Deschanel remembered it as a "very special day."
"We just clicked," Scott told Hollywood Life in September 2019, when the couple first went public with their relationship during a PDA-filled stroll, just a week after Deschanel announced her split from Pechenik.
Scott reflected on that fateful day.
"Who knew that two years ago, walking into the Carpool Karaoke offices, I’d meet you and my life will change forever," he captioned a series of photos on set with their famous siblings.
October 2019: Zooey Deschanel, Jonathan Scott go Instagram official ahead of Halloween
Is it even real if it's not on Instagram?
Deschanel and Scott took the next big step in their relationship, making things Instagram official on Oct. 20. The couple shared photos from their date night at Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights, showing Scott holding Deschanel in his arms as she has a terrified expression on her face.
Deschanel and Scott joined Scott's twin brother and his wife Linda Phan at the spooky themed amusement park.
November 2019: They became red carpet-official shortly after
Deschanel and Scott made their first red carpet appearance at theCritics' Choice Documentary Awards in Brooklyn, New York. Scott hosted the awards show.
"Yes, it is our first red carpet together, because she is also a huge advocate for independent films and documentary films as well," he told People at the time. "So, for us to come and be able to support this is very important."
The lovefest didn't stop there. The couple attended a family wedding and spent their first Thanksgiving together. Scott tweeted, "I am beyond thankful to be surrounded by such incredibly fun loving people & puppies. You bring joy to my life. I love you."
Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott walk first red carpet together
April 2020: Jonathan Scott 'struck gold' quarantining with Zooey Deschanel
After Scott rang in the new year with Deschanel ("Once in a lifetime you meet someone who changes everything") and celebrated her 40th ("Happy Birthday to the beautiful human who brought joy & laughter back into my life") in January, Scott shared how he was passing time with his girlfriend in quarantine.
"We need your suggestions for the best board games!" he wrote on Instagram.
Later that year, Scott told Today that he "kind of struck gold" being locked down with Deschanel because "she is this incredible chef. So, she makes the most fantastic meals every day. She also loves board games. We even did a virtual escape room the other night, which was a lot of fun."
August 2020: One year down, 'a million billion more' to go
The couple marked their first anniversary on Instagram.
"One year ago today I met this kind, caring, hilarious, generous, creative, nerdy, handsome and all around incredible human," Deschanel captioned a sweet picture. "I am so grateful for every smile, kiss, hug, snuggle, laugh, scrabble game, escape room, breakfast, lunch and dinner we share together. Even during the weirdest year for humanity I want a million billion more with you."
Scott wrote: "How time flies when you’re having the best time of your life. Who would’ve known that exactly one year ago my life would change forever. When I count my blessings, I count you twice."
November 2020: Not engaged… yet
During an appearance on SiriusXM’s The Covino & Rich Show, Scott shut down fans' speculation that the two were engaged: "I'm pretty confident that I will ask my girlfriend to marry me before I tell a reporter."
"It's the rumor mill that turns around," he continued. "We were actually laughing because almost every story that comes out is 'Drew Gives Permission for Jonathan to Wed Zooey' or 'Drew Gives His Nod to the Relationship.' And so we coined the phrase, we were laughing, we're like, so is Drew my 'Brother-Daddy?' Does he have to approve everything that happens in my life?"
January 2021: Zooey Deschanel dubs Jonathan Scott the real '2020 MVP'
Deschanel doled out her own award for MVP of 2020. The winner? Scott.
The couple celebrated the new year hugging in a series of photos taken by Deschanel's father Caleb that the actress shared on Instagram: "My 2020 MVP was this guy, who always made me feel happy in spite of a weird and uncertain year. Hoping 2021 is full of silver linings for everyone."
Scott returned her sentiments in the comments section: "You make me the happiest, best version of me," he wrote. In his own post, Scott wrote that 2021 would be dedicated to "love, happiness and the pursuit of helping others" but noted he has a "good jumpstart on the love part."
Love is in the air: Zooey Deschanel calls boyfriend Jonathan Scott her '2020 MVP'
June 2021: 'I have the best boyfriend in the world,' says Zooey Deschanel
Although Deschanel is co-host of ABC's "The Celebrity Dating Game," she said she doesn't need help in the love department: "I’m taken."
"I have the best boyfriend in the world," she told USA TODAY.
Scott said he suffered a little bit of a scare when Deschanel shared news of her new gig.
"When Zooey first told me she was doing the show, she was really excited," Scott said. "I saw the sets, and the sets looked amazing. I love the set design. But it was so funny ‘cause when she first said she was doing ‘The (Celebrity) Dating Game,’ there was an awkward pause, and I like ‘Wait, but as a host, right? Not as a contestant?’ And she’s like, ‘Yeah, as a host.’”
The couple have been very supportive of each other's business interests. Deschanel appeared as a guest on Scott's TV series "Celebrity IOU," too.
"Got to work side by side with my sweetheart @Jonathanscott to surprise my bestie @sarahmayb with a new kitchen! What could be more fun?" she wrote on Instagram.
August 2023: Zooey Deschanel, Jonathan Scott celebrate 4-year anniversary
The couple celebrated their four-year anniversary on Aug. 4 and posted loving tributes to each other on Instagram. Deschanel declared, "I love him more every day. I’m forever grateful!" in her post about "dreamboat" Scott while he ran with a "500 Days of Summer" joke over on his account.
"500 days of @zooeydeschanel …actually it’s been a lot more, but who’s counting anyway?" he captioned their selfie on Aug. 4. "4 years really flies by. Happy anniversary baby!!! 🥰"
Contributing: Rasha Ali, Andrea Mandell, Hannah Yasharoff, KiMi Robinson
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zooey Deschanel, Jonathan Scott engaged: Revisit relationship timeline
