Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. are celebrating their 22nd wedding anniversary, a significant milestone in any marriage, but especially impressive in Hollywood. Their relationship, which began as a close friendship, blossomed after a fateful dinner in January 2000, where Gellar’s adventurous eating habits impressed Prinze. This unexpected date led to a deeper connection between the two, setting the stage for a long-lasting relationship.
Initially, the pair were just friends, having met on the set of *I Know What You Did Last Summer* in the late 1990s. During the filming, they spent considerable time together due to Gellar’s lack of a driver’s license, which led Prinze to drive her around. Their differing backgrounds—Gellar being a native New Yorker and Prinze a Los Angeles native—provided plenty of conversation topics, helping them bond over time.
Despite their growing closeness, neither saw the other as more than a friend for years. Prinze, in particular, was concerned about Gellar’s well-being, often cooking for her to ensure she ate properly. Their friendship was further solidified through regular gatherings at Gellar’s home, where they would host barbecues with friends.
The turning point in their relationship came during that dinner in January 2000, which was initially supposed to include a mutual friend who couldn’t make it. The evening allowed them to see each other in a new light, with Gellar’s willingness to try new things, like eating a live crab, impressing Prinze. This night marked the beginning of their romantic relationship, which quickly became serious.
By the time they started dating, they had already built a solid foundation of friendship, which Prinze believes is key to their successful marriage. They knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses, making the transition from friends to romantic partners smoother. Prinze has often spoken about how this deep understanding of each other helped them maintain a strong bond over the years.
Their wedding, held in Mexico in September 2002, was nearly derailed by a hurricane but went ahead smoothly with a few adjustments. Over the years, both Gellar and Prinze have enjoyed successful careers, with Gellar starring in *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* and Prinze in various teen films before shifting to television. Despite their busy schedules, they have always prioritized their family life, especially after the birth of their two children, Charlotte and Rocky.
Prinze, having lost his own father at a young age, made fatherhood his top priority, even stepping back from his career to focus on raising his children. Gellar, too, has balanced her career with her role as a mother, launching her own baking company, Foodstirs, which allowed her to spend more time at home. Their commitment to their family is evident in their dedication to family dinners and creating meaningful memories together.
Throughout their marriage, Gellar and Prinze have maintained a strong partnership by communicating openly and supporting each other’s goals. They’ve learned to balance their individual needs with the needs of their family, and they continue to enjoy each other’s company after more than two decades together.
Their secret to a lasting marriage? It’s a combination of mutual respect, shared values, and, most importantly, a deep friendship that has stood the test of time.
