It’s almost unreal how the pairings work out at a time when dating apps have made finding love a game of swipes. You’re avoiding unwanted gym selfies one minute, and then you’re looking directly into the eyes of a prospective NFL QB. That’s just how things worked out for Christen Harper and Jared Goff, who met on Raya, the dating app equivalent of the VIP lounge.
Now, after six years, one engagement, and a dream wedding later, they are ready to welcome a baby. This is the kind of love story that doesn’t just survive but thrives. And to commemorate a significant milestone that had everyone on the internet in awe, the pair shared a heartwarming video on Instagram.
Christen and Jared Goff shared a beautiful black-and-white reel with the description, “6 months of this little love ,” on their six-month anniversary of getting pregnant with their future daughter. The video was a picture of easy elegance, which showed the two lovers on a serene beach dressed like the main characters in a romantic movie. Jared wore a white T-shirt and jeans to match Christen’s cozy white knit jumper and denim. Just a couple embracing, swaying, and celebrating their journey with unfiltered joy—no extravagant settings or extravagant gestures. It was the aesthetic perfection that could make even the most cynical person believe in romance again.
This is not just another anniversary update—it’s a countdown to parenthood. On February 5, the Detroit Lions quarterback and his model wife made the most shocking announcement while walking the NFL Honours red carpet in New Orleans: they are expecting a girl. Since his playoff run ended in heartbreak on January 17 due to the Washington Commanders, Jared has shifted his attention from playbooks to parenting manuals. With the enthusiasm of a man who knows his life is going to be completely turned upside down in the best way possible, 30-year-old Jared Goff told PEOPLE, “I’m looking forward to becoming a dad.” Harper, 31, echoed the sentiment, saying, “We’re just excited to enjoy this special time together and just soak up every second.”
Not to forget, Goff has experienced many significant events in his life. He led the Rams to their first Super Bowl since 2001, helped break a 15-game losing streak with the Lions, and has been the face of a franchise revival in Detroit. Despite all of those professional highlights, parenting comes with a whole new set of responsibilities. “I’ve always dreamt of being a father, and now that it’s real, I can’t wait,” he shared. “I know it’ll add a new perspective to life, and it’ll be great.” And Harper, who is already a formidable force in her own right, has shown her enthusiasm with equal vigour. She smiled and added, “I know he’s going to be the best. Working as a team to accomplish this will be exciting.”
Goff and Harper are starting a new chapter in their lives, one that will involve diaper changes, late-night feedings and the unique joy that comes with having a child. Harper, however, had already mastered the harmony of confidence, health, and strength before the baby bump and nursery design.
Harper had already perfected the skill of keeping a strong, self-assured body before becoming a mother. She maintained a sustainable, plant-based lifestyle that kept her feeling and looking her best, free of crash diets and hectic last-minute workouts.
The Christen Harper playbook: Plant-based, confident, and cover-ready
Christen Harper didn’t simply show up when it was time to don a barely-there bikini; she took charge of the situation. Photographed in Portugal by Ben Watts, the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue featured the model and fiancée of Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Harper was more than just a feature as SI celebrated its 60th anniversary; she made a statement.
You should reconsider if you believe she starved herself to have such an attractive body. No crash diets. No last-minute cleansings with juice. She stands by a plant-based lifestyle full-time, not only for the health benefits but also for the vibe.
Harper, 30, attributes her decision to adopt a plant-based diet to her lifelong passion for animals. She declared, “I never wanted to do anything that would hurt them.” Let’s not pretend, though, that everything went smoothly. Being part Japanese, Harper was raised on sushi. Giving up her favourite rolls? More difficult than a comeback in the fourth quarter. She said, “That was the hardest part.” But instead of leaving, she adjusted. It appears that you don’t need raw fish to have a sushi night; you may have tofu rolls, avocado rolls, or plant-based substitutes. “The experience you share with others is the most important part of food,” she stated.
And because Harper began modelling at the age of nine, she was raised in an industry where “fitting the sample size” was essential. But she didn’t always fit it. And she was made to feel it, too. “It’s really hard to be a woman. You feel constantly judged,” she admitted. Then came Sports Illustrated. A movement rather than merely a magazine. Harper recalls looking at ladies with genuine bodies, self-assurance, and presence as she turned the pages of the magazine. SI made room for her, just as she was. And in return? She owned her space.
Harper has been on a roll since winning SI Swim Search in 2021; she was named co-Rookie of the Year in 2022, made another appearance in 2023, and is now a big name in 2024. She is evidence that being beautiful is about owning your space, your decisions, and your confidence rather than just how you look. And she’s beaming thanks to a plant-based diet, a successful modelling profession, and a supportive quarterback fiancé? Christen Harper has a long-term strategy.
And now, with a baby girl due in the early summer, Jared Goff and Christen are starting their most exciting season yet. This tiny one is entering a home full of love, laughter, and the kind of picture-perfect moments that come from a Nicholas Sparks book, if their Instagram reel is any indication.
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