When love, devotion and Black excellence come together in the same pot, its a recipe for a longlasting love. That’s exactly what Magic and Cookie Johnson have. In celebration of their 28th wedding anniversary, the couple walked us down memory lane, sharing with us their cutest moments from every era of their lives together.
In shouting out his wife, the basketball Hall Of Famer wrote an endearing message on Instagram describing his decision to marry her three decades ago. “I told you and my parents after three months of dating that you were going to be the one I was going to marry,” he recalls. “And by far, marrying you was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
He continues: “The job you’ve done as a mother, and now a grandmother, has been an honor to witness and I am so proud to call you my wife. I look forward to many more years together. I love you dearly… Happy Anniversary!”
Magic also went on to share an oh-so-’90s photo of them, decked out in FUBU standing in front of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. “Baby, I must say, you look as stunning today as you did when I met you at 18,” the former baller wrote complimenting his wife.
Mrs. Johnson returned the love with a stunning “then and now” photos series. “What can I say, you are the ultimate romantic,” she writes to the NBA legend. “You always manage to surprise me and keep me on my toes, I couldn’t ask for anything more; ours is an undying love that is hard to describe but is uniquely ours because God is all in it, and I love every minute of it. I love you so much, here’s to many many more.”
Cookie also gave us glimpses from their 1991 wedding in Magic’s hometown of Lansing, Michigan. The trends may have changed, but the love certainly has not!
Always known to do it big, Magic and Cookie celebrated their anniversary with a delicious dinner at the swanky Tao restaurant in Los Angeles. The couple was joined by Holly Robinson Peete and her husband Rodney Peete, as well as MLB Hall Of Famer Dave Winfield and wife Tonya Winfield.
Cookie and Magic first met in 1977 during their freshman year of college. “It was so funny because every girl on campus wanted to meet him,” Cookie recalls. “I just thought, ‘forget it. There’s no way he’s going to pick me over all these other women.’”
The couple, who shares two children, remained together through various ups and downs throughout the years. Shortly after their wedding, Magic discovered he was HIV positive. In an interview with Good Morning America, Magic credits Cookie’s unwavering love with his survival.
“This woman here, God let me know why I married her, why he brought us together,” Cookie told Roberts. “I know when I come here [home], I’m not Magic. I’m Earvin. We’re still those kids from Michigan. I’m only as good as Cookie.”
Happy Anniversary to the Johnsons!