In a time before the likes of Tinder, or Raya, young model Jennifer Hawkins walked into a bar and met Jake Wall, who would turn out to be the love of her life.
Jen was only 20 when she met builder Jake and their low-key meeting in the early 2000s quickly turned into a blossoming romance.
Even when she was thrown into stardom by being crowned Miss Universe 2004, Jen kept her romance with Jake down to earth.
“It was one of those nights I didn’t intend on going out, and then I went out, and I met this guy, and slowly, we started a relationship,” Jen said in a 2017 interview with Stellar.
“We think back and we can’t believe it – it honestly feels like another lifetime,” she said.
“We’ve grown up so much. I guess that’s what happens; sometimes you grow apart and some people grow together.”
Jake and Jen had already been growing together for seven years before he popped the question.
The pair became engaged, sealed with a $200,000 diamond ring for Jen, in December 2011.
They then tied the knot in Bali, Indonesia in 2013, in a pretty small ceremony, with only 60 close friends and family in attendance.
“I just want everyone to have fun and that’s the joy of going overseas – it makes it special for everyone else, too,” she said in a chat with The Daily Telegraph in the lead-up to their big day.
The wedding was kept mostly under-wraps, but Woman’s Day were allowed exclusive coverage for a hefty fee, which they used to run a 12-page special on the wedding.
As is the case with most long-term relationships, the couple experienced problems within their marriage, which Jen has been candid about in the past.
Speaking to Stellar in 2017, Jen revealed that the pair ‘had a lot of downs’.
They struggled with the loss of Jake’s mother, Lesslee, in 2012.
Jen’s mother, Gail, was also diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015.
“With Jake’s mum passing away and a few things happening in my family … it hasn’t been perfect,” she said.
Around the time, she was beginning to be asked about having kids of her own.
She addressed the future of their relationship, and whether it involved children, in the same interview.
“We’d love to have a family, but the timing has to be right and things have to change,” she said.
“You’ve got to rearrange everything.”
However, having kids proved to be difficult for the couple.
Jen and Jake seemed to be heading from one success to another between Jen’s modelling and the various businesses they have taken on as a couple: J Group Projects, J Bronze, and Sesion Tequila.
They had also tackled the property ladder, acquiring several multi-million-dollar investment properties.
However, they were struggling to fulfil their dream of growing their family.
Jen suffered a miscarriage in 2018, and again spoke to Stellar about the harrowing experience.
“Last year was such a tough year for Jake and me. It was the toughest year of our lives,” she divulged.
“I felt like I almost broke and, in fact, it’s still really raw. But Jake was amazing. He let me sit with the pain, feel it and not be OK.”
Despite their hardship, the pair announced in May 2019 that they were finally expecting a baby, due that same year in October.
“I’m sooo happy to share with you some exciting news! Jake and I are expecting a baby girl!!! We can’t wait to meet her!” the model wrote on her Instagram alongside the image of herself and Jake, where she sported a small bump.
“Thank you to our beautiful family and friends for their love and support and, most importantly, to my hubby Jake – I can’t wait to see you as a Daddy!” she added.
Jen gave birth to their adorable daughter, Frankie Violet, on October 17, 2019.
“When she came out, I was just so overwhelmed; I was crying, it was incredible,” she said in an interview with Marie Claire the following year.
“We just felt so much gratitude.”
Jake seems to be one doting dad to little Frankie.
“It’s pretty amazing to see your partner just become a father and be silly with her,” Jen said to 9Honey.
“He’s been silly with me before, but he is next level silly with the baby.”
And it seems Jake will be continuing to pull out his silly demeanour in the years to come – the couple just announced that they are expecting baby number two.
“Round two!! Jake and I are so happy to share that we are expecting a baby BOY!!! 💙” Jen wrote again on Instagram, alongside another photo of herself sporting another small bump.
“We both feel really blessed and couldn’t be happier to grow our little family! Can’t wait to see our Frankie girl as a big sis!! 🥰,” she added.
Fellow celebs were quick to give their support in the comments.
“CONGRATULATIONS ANGEL 🥰,” wrote Sophie Monk, all in caps.
“Congrats sweetheart. That’s such lovely news 🥰,” Sonia Kruger said.
“Beautiful news! Congratulations to you all. Enjoy Round 2 and everything it holds for you ♥️♥️♥️,” wrote Megan Gale, a fellow model and mum of two.
We can’t wait to see Jen and Jake’s beautiful new son when he arrives, and hear whatever chic name they’ll definitely pick out for him!
It seems like it’s onwards and upwards for this beautiful couple from here.
Want your own fairytale romance? Find love on eHarmony!
WATCH BELOW: Jen Hawkins shares adorable update of daughter Frankie.
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