To some couples, an 18th wedding anniversary may not be cause for celebration.
It’s not a round number or anything.
But Jillian Dempsey and Patrick Dempsey have a reason to celebrate any and all marital milestones these days…
… because they came very close to NOT being married at all in the semi-recent past.
In early 2015, the former Grey’s Anatomy star and his wife announced they were filing for divorce.
Wrote the parents of three kids in a joint statement at the time:
“It is with careful consideration and mutual respect that we have decided to end our marriage.
“Our primary concern remains the wellbeing of our children, and we ask with profound gratitude that you respect our family’s privacy at this very sensitive time.”
One year later, however, the split was called off and the twosome decided to give their relationship another shot.
What changed in that time? Mostly just Dempsey’s attitude.
“Our marriage was not something I was prepared to let go of,” the actor told ES Magazine awhile back, adding:
“I didn’t feel like we had done all the work. And we both wanted to do that work. That’s where it started.”
The pair also attended counseling sessions… and made a lot of love!
“You’ve got to communicate, and stay open and not get lazy. And not give up. And lots of sex!” Dempsey said last year.
Fast forward to this week and things are still going strong between Jillian and Patrick.
Stronger than ever, it seems.
“Happy 18th anniversary @patrickdempsey!” Jillian wrote as a caption to the first photo in this article, which features Patrick kissing her on the cheek as they relaxed on the beach in swimsuits.
“Through thick and thin….I love you,” she added, signing the loving message “wifey.”
Jillian and Patrick share three kids together: daughter Tallula, 15; and twins Sullivan and Darby, 10.
Jillian met the Sweet Home Alabama hunk when she gave him a haircut at an upscale Los Angeles salon in 1994; she filed to have her divorce filing dismissed in November 2016.
Back during the worst of it for the couple, a source told Us Weekly that Patrick took responsibility for the temporary break-up because he “was going through a bit of a midlife crisis. But he’s snapping out of it.”
We’re so glad to hear it!
We wish the best of luck to this cute couple!
