How Did This Unexpected Couple Meet?

Just in case you forgot that Ryan Adams and Mandy Moore share a life, the pair celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary this very year. The pair got married in 2009, but details about their wedding are few and far between. They like to keep their private life very, very private. But please, understand that I am a mere mortal thirsting for as many details on the lives of others as I can possibly wring out of the Internet. And the most pressing matter at the moment? How did Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams meet anyway?

Unearthing deets on this love affair is a real doozy, my friends. It would appear that the couple rarely attends red carpets events together and typically avoids talking about their relationship in interviews. Adams, in particular, is forthright about his desire for privacy. He recently hung up in the middle of an on-air radio interview after being probed to answer questions about his wife when he had already stated that he didn't want to address personal questions. He explained his actions to Buzzfeed, saying:

I just hung up 'cause I was on the radio getting asked about my wife. I was really nice about it the first time, and I'm sorry, but I won't repeat myself. The deal is this: I'm a private person and I'll be a gentleman and say I'm not talking about my marriage ever.

Well, fair enough!

So we may never verily know how that initial spark occurred, but as far as I can tell from a bit of sleuthing, it looks like they originally connected over their music.

According to an article in People magazine, Moore was inspired by Adams' music when she was writing her album fifth studio album, Wild Hope, released in 2007. Known as the guitarist and frontman for the alt-country band The Cardinals, Adams' musical style seemed to complement Moore's indie renaissance record. It's possible that she reached out to Adams while working on Wild Hope and things blossomed from there. At least that's what the media speculation was.

The couple was confirmed to have started dating in 2008, so timing works out with the release of Wild Hope and them DTR-ing. Adams also had a big part in the production of Moore's June 2009 album Amanda Leigh. The pair got married in March of that year, so they were still newlyweds at the time.

And wouldn't ya know it, they're still working on music together. In 2012, Moore revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that Adams would be working with her on her seventh studio album. "There's tremendous influence right now around the house — from the music I've been introduced to and being very happy and in a healthy, happy relationship," Moore said. "I think that still garners a lot of material to write about." Yes, indeed! Viva la husband-wife folk duo! Here's a snap Moore took while in the studio with Adams, hard at work.

While Adams is usually tight-lipped about his relationship with Moore, he's perfectly forthcoming about the fact that she's featured on his new album. He told BuzzFeed that Moore regularly joins in on jam sessions at his studio "Pax-Am," where he recorded his newest album Ryan Adams. Moore also reportedly provides background vocals on a couple of the tracks from Adams' self-titled record.

Back in May 2014, friends and family gathered to celebrate a half decade of matrimony for the couple. Judging from Moore's Instagram documentation of the event, everyone had a lovely time.

While I can't confirm with absolute certainty how they first met, it looks like they probably met while working on Wild Hope, and their relationship really flourished while working on Amanda Leigh. Well, you know what they say. The family that plays together stays together.

Images: Mandy Moore, Minka Kelly/Instagram