Happy Birthday Beyonce: Her Love Story With Jay Z In Pics

03 Bonnie and Clyde

There was no linking of the two until the October 2002 release of the Jay Z single "'03 Bonnie and Clyde." They always remained tight-lipped about any romance.

First Meeting

In a 2008 interview with Seventeen, Bey said, "I was 18 when we first met, 19 when we first started dating." If we calculate as per date of births, they first met in 1999 or early 2000. Then 18, Bey appeared on Jay Z protégé (and Roc-A-Fella records golden girl) Amil's track "I Got That."

2001 Romance?

After appearing together in the music issue of Vanity Fair, Jay Z revealed a decade later "We were just beginning to try to date each other (then)."

2004

It wasn't until 2004 that they made their very first red carpet debut as a 'pair' at the MTV VMAs in sparkling matching outfits.

Public Spotting

The public spotting never ended post their red carpet debut. Even after not commenting on their relationship, they traveled together and even attended Grammys.

Engagement

In 2007, engagement rumours started swirling around with tabloids claiming that Jay popped the question on Bey's birthday in September.

Wedding

On April 4th, 2008, Jay and Bey got married at a private ceremony at Jay Z's Tribeca apartment New York. They stuck to their number, 4/4 which they feel is lucky for the relationship as both music icons were both born on the fourth of the month. Instead of exchanging rings, they both got matching IV tattoos on their ring fingers.

At The White House

The power couple of the U.S. attended Barack and Michelle Obama's inauguration together. The two were staunch Obama supporters throughout his presidential campaign.

Friends to lovers to a partner

"We were friends first, for a year and a half, before we went on any date, [we were] on the phone for a year and a half. And that foundation is so important in a relationship. And just to have someone that you just like, is so important. And someone that is honest," Beyonce told Mirror.co.uk.

The Break

The diva took a break in 2010 in order to focus on her family and her relationships which started pregnancy rumours. "I did it for my sanity, my life, my relationships, my nephew, my husband, my sister and my friendships," she said of her career break. "I can decide I want to have kids. I can be the mother I want to be."

Pregnancy

She broke the internet by debuting her baby bump on the carpet of the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. She confirmed her pregnancy by saying before her performance, "Tonight I want you to stand up on your feet, I want you to feel the love that's growing inside of me," and proudly rubbing her bump.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the announcement breaks the record for "most tweets per second recorded for a single event," at 8,868 tweets per second!

Blue Ivy

Post the birth of their daughter, Blue Ivy, the couple released a statement, "Her birth was emotional and extremely peaceful, we are in heaven. We are thankful to everyone for all your prayers, well wishes, love and support." In late 2013 the singer then surprised the world with a visual album and also released a string of video features where she spoke candidly about home life for the very first time.

First Photo

In 2012 January, Jay Z posted the song "Glory," on his website, describing Blue Ivy's birth. It read, "The most amazing feeling I feel / Words can't describe the feeling, for real / Baby, I'll paint the sky blue / My most greatest creation was you."

Her Love

In an interview with Oprah back in 2013, Bey spoke about her marriage saying, "I would not be the woman I am if I did not go home to that man. It gives me such a foundation." She also describes an earlier miscarriage as being "one of the hardest things I've been through."