Food Network star Ina Garten is reflecting on the early days of her marriage to Jeffrey Garten, sharing how a simple gift grew into a 57-year partnership.
The couple first met in 1963 when Ina was 15 and Jeffrey was 17, after he spotted her while looking out of a library window at Dartmouth College. She quickly discovered that the way to his heart was through his stomach, a sentiment she still lives by today in how she shows her love.
Ina Garten Says Her Baking Skills Sealed Her Romance With Now-Husband Jeffrey Garten
In an Instagram clip posted by TODAY, Ina Garten shared a recipe for the sweet treat she once used to show Jeffrey Garten how much she cared for him in the early days of their relationship. Their long-distance romance continued to grow stronger, laying the foundation for their lasting marriage.
She told TODAY host Savannah Guthrie, “When I was in high school, I met Jeffrey. He was in college and I used to send him shoe boxes of brownies.”
The “Barefoot Contessa” star continued, “And I realized that he just loved them. So I kept sending more.”
“It was the first time I understood that when you give someone something delicious, it’s just an expression of how you feel about them. It’s not just about nurturing them, its about making them feel good.”
Ina and Jeffrey Garten’s Love Story Continues
In a story published by Food Network Magazine, Ina and Jeffrey Garten may have bonded over brownies, but it appears their love story was meant to be.
Ina was visiting her brother at Dartmouth when Jeffrey first saw her. He told his roommate, “Look at that girl, isn’t she beautiful?” Ironically, the roommate had a date with Ina that very night, but they didn’t make a love connection.
Therefore, Jeffrey took a chance on a relationship with the “beautiful” girl and began writing her letters. He told Food Network Magazine, “She looked really smart, and she looked nurturing. She looked like she would take care of me.” Ina added, “He wrote to me, like, every day. I couldn’t keep up with it!”
“It was very fashionable at the time for guys to date women who were going off to medical school or law school,” Jeffrey said of how his relationship with Ina was different than other students. “Ina was sending me shoe boxes of brownies and making me sweaters. And all these guys who were after those other women — they were in my room all the time, asking, ‘What did Ina send you this time?'”
The couple wed in December 1968 at Ina’s parents’ home. They have no children.
Ina Garten’s series “Be My Guest” airs on the Food Network.
