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Key Points Ina Garten celebrated husband Jeffrey’s 79th birthday with heartfelt photos and messages. Fans admired their 60-year-long, supportive and loving relationship since meeting in college. “I’ve been loving you for 60 years, and it’s been so much fun," wrote the 'Barefoot Contessa' star. Iconic Food Network chef Ina Garten, 77, shared a sweet message for her husband Jeffrey Garten‘s 79th birthday on Wednesday, Oct. 29, and fans are swooning over their long-lasting love. “Happy birthday, babe!” the Barefoot Contessa star wrote beside a sweet carousel of images of Jeffrey through the years. Some even show them together as young adults when they first met in college. “I’ve been loving you for 60 years, and it’s been so much fun. #lovethehair [red heart emoji.]” Related: Chef Guy Fieri Talks Food Network Star ‘Beef’ and ‘Offending’ a Culinary Legend The last hashtag likely refers to the third photo in the bunch, which shows a younger Jeffrey and Ina standing on top of a snowy mountain together and embracing. The economist is rocking a much bigger hairdo than he does these days, and they both look thrilled to be together. Fans were touched by the sweet post, which gave a rare glimpse into the couple’s long and devoted love. “I have loved your show for so long and, in particular, your beautiful relationship. What a sweet couple,” said one fan, while another wrote, “Best husband on and off the screen. Happy Birthday!” A third added, “Omg wow, since babies!” and a fourth said, “Happy birthday, Jeffrey. I hope you get a roasted chicken tonight!” Many followers also cracked a few jokes using some of Ina’s most famous lines from her reality shows and cookbooks, with one writing, “If you can’t find your own Jeffrey, storebought is fine,” and another teasing, “How sweet is that?” Inside Ina Garten and Jeffrey Garten’s Long Relationship The power couple has been together since 1964, when Jeffrey first saw Ina on campus at Dartmouth, where he was a student and she was visiting her brother. The second he saw her, he said, “Look at that girl, isn’t she beautiful?” according to Food Network Magazine. “She looked really smart and she looked nurturing. She looked like she would take care of me.” He began writing letters to Ina, who was attending high school at the time and living with her parents in Stamford, CT. The duo began dating and quickly fell in love. Ina even took a six-hour train ride each way from her own college in Syracuse to spend every weekend with Jeffrey. The duo got married at her parents’ house in December 1968, when Ina was 20 and Jeffrey was 22. Their love has endured for 60 years now, as they supported each other’s careers. Jeffrey is a successful economist who has served as a government official in multiple administrations and is the Dean Emeritus at the Yale School of Management. Ina, of course, is a bestselling author of 13 cookbooks (one of which is devoted to Jeffrey), a successful TV host, and a master chef. The pair splits their time between New York and Paris, France. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 “I don’t want to make it seem supernatural or anything,” Jeffrey said of his wife, “but I saw everything that was to be. I just knew she’d be the kind of woman I’d want to be around forever.”
