The American comedy sitcom Friends has been a fan favorite since its first season that launched in 1994. Since then, the enthusiasts have always tried to keep up with the cast members' lives both on and off the show.
Our beloved Courteney Cox, who played the character of Monica Geller in the show, has had plenty of high-profile relationships, including her marriage to now-ex David Arquette, which produced one daughter. The actress has been dating Snow Patrol member Johnny McDaid for nearly a decade now, however, and the couple has become a fan favorite.
How Did Courteney Cox Meet Johnny McDaid?
While the tale of how the couple started dating is not the Cinderella type, it certainly is one of the most interesting ones. Cox had harbored a little crush on McDaid since the first time they were in the same room. The second time around, her celebrity friends ensured that the Dirt Star went on a date with the man of her dreams.
The rumors of them dating hit the news when they were seen going to Jennifer Aniston's holiday party together in December 2013. The couple hit a few other events together, which confirmed that they were indeed dating.
The singer-songwriter popped the question at Courteney's fiftieth birthday party in June 2014 after getting permission from the Cougar Town actress' daughter Coco whom she shares with her ex-husband.
The TV star recalled her daughter's conversation with McDaid on occasion. "He said, 'I'd like to marry your mom,' and gave her a little diamond ring," she reminisced. "She said, 'Great, I'm going to camp tomorrow. Let's do it right now.'"
Calling Off The Engagement Didn't Throw The Relationship Off The Track
The duo called off the engagement in November 2015 due to issues over Thanksgiving. Reportedly, the split was triggered by a disagreement on where to live. At the time, Courteney wanted to live in Los Angeles, while Johnny was keen to move to the UK.
The couple made up soon and reunited again in March 2016 to celebrate Easter. Courteney called her break-up with McDaid' so brutal'. That same year while shooting an episode of NBC's Running Wild With Bear Grylls, she told Grylls the real reason for her split with the Don't Give In crooner.
"There's something about… you know, he's from Ireland. And the way he regards love is precious.… I didn't know how to regard love the way he does," Courteney had explained then. She added that the relationship got 'a new context', and it started feeling 'really different' once they began dating again.
McDaid has always expressed his love for the Scream star, whether it be through his words or his actions. "I know that I've never loved like I love this woman. So if that's enough, then that's enough," he had said in May 2016. Later that year, he even got Cox's initials inked on his wrist.
In the 2017 issue of NewBeauty Summer fall, Courteney said that in addition to the daughter she shares with her ex-husband, she would like to have a baby with her boyfriend, Johnny.
"I mean, I could carry someone else's egg. I may be one of the older people doing it, but I would love to, with Johnny that is," Cox told the magazine at the time. She further added, "I know it's crazy, but I would."
The Friends alum got candid about a lot of different things, including her boyfriend's aversion to external beauty. She went on to say that it's the same for her and that it's deeper than having good looks for both of them. But then she also feels lucky, for she finds McDaid gorgeous and incredibly sexy.
The Couple Doesn't Feel Obligated To Tie The Knot Just Yet
While the couple was engaged to be married in 2014, calling off the engagement in 2015 perhaps put a damper on their wedding spirit as they are not eager to get married any time soon.
When asked by People in January 2022 if she may ever get married again, Courteney's response was: "I don't know. I'm definitely not opposed to it. I just don't think about it." Conclusion: there is no doubt that their relationship has only become strong over the years, but getting married is not in the plans as of now.
The singer's family has always welcomed Cox and her daughter Coco with open arms. They celebrate Christmas together at Johnny's home in Ireland, but there's still no confirmation as to where the couple plans to live if and when they do get married.