Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott Celebrate a Year of Dating: Relive Their Relationship Timeline

From ELLE

One of the more surprising couples to emerge from 2019 were Zooey Deschanel, 40, and Property Brothers star Jonathan Scott, 42. They were originally linked in the fall of last year following Deschanel's split from husband Jacob Pechenik. As they celebrate their one-year dating anniversary, let's take a look back at their courtship, from a musical meet-cute to tons of Instagram PDA.

August 2019

We actually know the exact day Deschanel and Scott met one another: August 4, 2019. The couple met while filming a Carpool Karaoke segment (popularized on The Late Late Show with James Corden) with their respective siblings, Drew Scott and Emily Deschanel. Although the siblings were competing against each other during the segment, both Deschanel and Scott expressed excitement about their meet-cute on Instagram. "Met some new humans today. We had fun. I think I’ll keep them #carpoolkaraoke," Scott captioned his post.

Their episode of Carpool Karaoke wouldn't air until February 2020, but you can get a glimpse of the couple's early chemistry here:

A source later told People in September 2019 that Scott and Deschanel became friends after filming the segment, getting to know each other before dating. “They were doing carpool karaoke and they had a really fun day,” the source said. “They became friends after and then started talking as friends and realized there was more to it. It’s still a very new relationship.”

An Us Weekly source said the couple "bonded over their love of music, film, theatre—and Christmas carols," citing the "instant chemistry" between the pair. The only problem was, as far as the rest of the world knew, Deschanel was still married to husband Jacob Pechenik.

September 2019

On September 6, Deschanel and Pechenik confirmed their split in a statement to People after more than four years of marriage. “After much discussion and a long period of contemplation, we have decided we are better off as friends, business partners and co-parents rather than life partners,” a representative for the couple told the outlet in a joint statement. “We remain committed to our business, our values and most of all our children. Thank you for respecting our privacy at this time.” The pair share two kids together: Elsie, 4 and Charlie, 2. Deschanel was previously married to Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard from 2009 to 2012. Scott also opened up about getting a divorce, prior to his HGTV fame, in a joint 2017 memoir with his brother It Takes Two: Our Story.

A week after news of Deschanel's divorce broke, a source told People that she and Scott were seeing each other. "It’s new, but they are having a lot of fun together,” the insider said.

“It’s definitely special for me because I am the guy who raises the bar in what I’m looking for in a partner,” Scott told Us Weekly of his new relationship. “I was caught a little off guard. It was definitely a pleasant surprise.” The following day, Pechenik told HollywoodLife, “Everything is amicable, and we have two beautiful children together,” when asked about his separation from Deschanel. “We’ve been raising them and we’re going to continue to raise them, and take great care of get them… I’m happy.”

For their first public outing as a couple, Scott and Deschanel dropped by a taping of Dancing with the Stars. They were on a double date with Drew and his wife, Linda Phan. A source told Us Weekly that the couple "appeared very comfortable together and looked sweet" during the evening.

October 2019

In late October, Pechenik officially filed for divorce from Deschanel, seeking joint legal and physical custody of the pair's two children. The filing came two days after she made her romance with Scott Instagram official. "Still processing how scared I was of these people dressed in spooky masks. @unistudios @horrornights #UniversalHHN," Deschanel captioned a picture of the couple at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios.

November 2019

Then Scott took Deschanel as his date to his older brother J.D.'s wedding. She posted photos from the Halloween-themed nuptials, which she and Scott dressed up as Batman and Catwoman for. "It’s the first time I’ve ever been cat-woman escorted to a fancy dress party wedding by Batman. Only for the nuptials of @mrjdscott and @annaleebelle could I be so inspired! Congrats to these gorgeous and gracious love birds, I was overjoyed to celebrate such a happy union! ❤️💕❤️💕 Photos by: @dennydenn," she captioned the post.

When asked about his younger brother's relationship, J.D. told People, “All I’ve ever wanted for my brother is for him to be happy. I’m excited that he’s got someone that’s really great.”

"Simply a perfect date night," Scott captioned an Instagram selfie of the couple at the Neon Museum in Las Vegas.

The pair was spotted a few days later outside of Jimmy Kimmel Live for Deschanel's appearance on the show.

December 2019

Scott and Deschanel made their red carpet debut as a couple when they attended the Hollywood premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker alongside Drew and his wife Linda.

That same month, Scott attended a few of Deschanel's holiday concerts that she performed as part of her band She & Him. People reported that Scott joined Deschanel onstage during the tour's opening night show in Philadelphia. A couple weeks later, he filmed footage of her show in Oakland, California, which he shared on his Instagram Stories, via People.

"When you surround yourself with amazing, creative people...the result is magical :)," Scott captioned an Instagram photo of the couple holding personalized Christmas cookies.

He also posted an edited photo of Deschanel's character in the holiday movie Elf, photoshopping his face where Will Ferrell's would be. "We’re gonna spread SO much holiday cheer this year 😍," he wrote alongside the picture.

January 2020

Next, the couple rang in the new year together. Scott shared sunset photos of the duo captioned, "Once in a lifetime you meet someone who changes everything 😍." Deschanel commented, "I'm the luckiest gal!"

Deschanel shared one of the three photos from Scott's post and captioned it, "A truly Happy New Year with my sweetie!" Scott replied, "New Years Resolution...continue being the kinda fella you deserve ❤️."

The pair continued to make memories in January, visiting both Disneyland and a Golden Globes after party together.

The pair then posed together at an event for artist Daren LeGallo (husband of Amy Adams) in West Hollywood.

For Deschanel's 40th birthday, Scott wrote on Instagram, "Happy Birthday to the beautiful human who brought joy & laughter back into my life ❤️🎉!" She shared a snap of herself and Scott at the '80s-themed birthday bash.

February 2020

Then Scott and Deschanel attended the Vanity Fair Oscars party, skipping the red carpet in favor of a photo booth inside the event.

The couple marked their first Valentine's Day together with predictably adorable Instagram posts. "❤️My funny valentine ❤️😍," Deschanel wrote alongside her photo. While Scott captioned his post, "Ingredients for the perfect Valentines:
- 1 part great fun
- 1 part great food
- 1 part Zooey ❤️ Tonight was magical."

The couple made another date night out of the Los Angeles premiere of Emma, posing for pictures inside the screening.

March 2020

Scott gave fans an update on the 'gram about how quarantine is treating the pair. "Zooey Deschanel and I have been playing games, making music, and of course doing puzzles," he captioned photos featuring Deschanel's guitar and a Scrabble board.

April 2020

Easter brought another cute Instagram photo from the couple, more than six months into their romance.

Scott opened up to People about what sheltering at home with Deschanel looked like. “Let me tell you, I’ve been quarantined with the perfect person,” he told the outlet. “Not only is Zooey an amazing cook, but she’s a musician, so our house is constantly filled with music.” He also mentioned that Deschanel and cut and colored his gray hair. “I think we’re just taking it one day at a time here and it’s a crazy thing nobody would have predicted,” he added. “But I’m glad that I’m with somebody that I love, and somebody who’s so talented.”

When it came time to commemorate Scott's 42nd birthday, Deschanel shared a black-and-white photo of herself kissing him on the cheek. "This amazing person makes me truly happy every single day and fills my life with love and joy. Happy birthday @mrsilverscott! You are one of a kind wonderful. So happy I get to make your birthday cake. 🎂❤️," she wrote alongside the snap.

Days later, Scott shared photos from the Game of Thrones-themed Zoom party Deschanel threw him on social media.

Around the same time, a pre-pandemic filmed episode of "At Home with Linda & Drew Scott," featuring Deschanel and Jonathan was released. During the podcast appearance, the couples talked about their relationships. Scott reminisced about the beginning of his romance with Deschanel, including his attempt to flirt during their Carpool Karaoke episode. "I thought I was playing it cool," Scott admitted. "I didn't think anything of it. The producer said I was flirting so bad, so hard, they had to cut a bunch of that out."

They also reminisced about their first date, which included Scott taking Deschanel on a tour of a newly-renovated home. “I thought he was trying to put the moves on me!” she remembered. “He’s like, ‘And here is the living room and here is the bedroom and here is the other bedroom,’ and I’m like, Oh, he really is just giving me an architectural tour. Maybe I have the wrong idea about this date.”

June 2020

People reported that Deschanel and Pechenik's divorce was finalized nine months after announcing their split. Deschanel's legal name was restored to her maiden name, allowing a new chapter for she and Scott to begin.

August 2020

The couple each shared romantic tributes for one another to honor their one-year anniversary on August 4. Scott posted a montage of the couple's cutest moments, filled with photos and video clips. He captioned the clip, "How time flies when you’re having the best time of your life. Who would’ve known that exactly one year ago my life would change forever. When I count my blessings, I count you twice."

His brother Drew joked in the comments section, "If you can still have fun with someone and love them after quarantine, it’s smooth sailing. 😎"

Deschanel shared a pair of photos to commemorate the milestone. She posted them with the heartfelt caption:

"You give me ALL the feels 😍 I love you," Scott commented on Deschanel's post.

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