Love is in the air for Meg Ryan and John Mellencamp! On a crisp November day in New York City, the legendary actress was spotted strolling along a sidewalk, sporting a casual ensemble of sunglasses and a fisherman’s cap. Despite her understated look, her dazzling diamond engagement ring caught everyone's attention, gleaming brightly as she chatted away on her cell phone. Sometimes, love finds a way when you least expect it, and that’s exactly what happened here.
After an impressive eight-year love story, Meg Ryan, now 56, is finally engaged to her long-term partner, John Mellencamp, who’s 67. The news was confirmed by Meg herself, who shared the happy news with her Instagram followers the very next day. With a heartfelt caption that simply read “Engaged,” she posted a charming drawing of her and John holding hands. It’s clear that their love has stood the test of time, and now they’re ready to take the next step together.
View this post on InstagramENGAGED!
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It’s About Time: Friends and Family Celebrate the Engagement
There’s no denying that Meg and John’s engagement has been long-awaited by their inner circle. "Everyone is thrilled for them," an insider exclusively revealed to Closer Weekly. John’s daughter, Teddi, has always adored Meg, often reminding her dad that time waits for no one. “John isn’t getting any younger, and women like Meg don’t grow on trees,” Teddi has been known to say. Clearly, she sees Meg as a perfect match for her father. While Teddi might not be calling Meg “Mom” anytime soon, she’s genuinely excited to have her officially join the family.
But their journey to love wasn’t always smooth sailing. Early in their relationship, distance became a major hurdle. Meg, who resides in New York with her daughter Daisy, struggled to maintain a serious relationship with John, who adamantly refused to leave Indiana. "I’m not leaving Indiana. This is where I belong, and this is where I’ll die," the rock star once declared. After three years of dating, the strain of their long-distance relationship became too much, and they parted ways in August 2014. “Meg simply couldn’t handle the distance anymore,” a close friend explained.
Rekindling the Flame: A Second Chance at Love
Fortunately, love stories don’t always end when the first chapter closes. Just two months after their initial split, Meg and John rekindled their romance. “Nothing’s over until it’s truly over,” John optimistically remarked not long before news of their reconciliation broke. For a while, it seemed like this reunion was the real deal. They spent countless hours binge-watching their favorite TV shows, like The Handmaid’s Tale and Killing Eve, or enjoying a night out at the movies.
Unfortunately, their reconnection wasn’t destined to last. When Meg called it quits again, John sought solace in a relationship with Christie Brinkley. However, this romance fizzled out after a year, much like the first time around. A confidant told Closer that Christie, like Meg, grew frustrated with John’s frequent absences. Yet, John’s heart never strayed far from Meg. “I loved Meg Ryan,” he confided to radio talk-show host Howard Stern in 2017. “She just doesn’t want anything to do with me, and I don’t blame her,” he admitted, taking full responsibility for their breakup. “I think it’s because I’m a child. I throw fits, I gripe, I complain. I’m moody,” he confessed. “Every bad thing a guy can be, that’s me.”
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The Final Chapter: A Commitment to Last
John’s heartfelt confession touched Meg’s heart, and they decided to give their relationship one more shot. This time, they were determined to make it work. “They have so much fun together,” a source revealed. “They enjoy binge-watching their favorite shows, or they go out to see films together.” Even so, it took another year before Meg finally agreed to marry John. “She truly loves John but was hesitant about committing again,” a close friend explained. “Like the characters she’s played, Meg is an eternal optimist.”
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