Neil Patrick HarrisandDavid Burtkahave been supporting each other since their very first date.
From their celebratory social media tributes to sweet moments on the red carpet, here’s everything to know about Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka’s relationship.
April 1, 2004: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka go on their first date
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Harris and Burtka went to the movies for their first date on April 1, 2004, aftermeeting in passingon the street.
In a 2012essay writtenforOutmagazine, Burtka shared that he had had a boyfriend when he met theDoogie Howserstar, but that the relationship was already on the rocks and ended shortly afterward.
November 2006: Neil Patrick Harris comes out to PEOPLE, keeping his relationship with David Burtka private
In anexclusive interviewwith PEOPLE, Harris publicly came out as gay in 2006. “I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love,” he said.
The interview came two months after season 2 ofHow I Met Your Motherbegan airing on CBS.
April 2007: Neil Patrick Harris confirms relationship without naming David Burtka
A few months after coming out to PEOPLE,Harris confirmedthat he was in a relationship onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show. In the interview, he spoke toDeGeneresabout coming out while maintaining his privacy.
“I’m not a very scandalous person and so I didn’t want to have to respond to some story … I just made a statement and sort of squashed the fires,” he said. “My life had been relatively open in my world. I’ve been dating the same guy for three years and our families know. We go out together all the time … I never felt it was an obligation for me to hold pinkies down the red carpet or anything.”
September 16, 2007: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka make their red carpet debut at the Emmy Awards
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
After three years of dating, Harris and Burtka made their first joint red carpet appearance at the 2007Emmy Awards.
The2007 Emmy Awardsmarked the first of four nominations Harris received for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his role inHow I Met Your Mother.
June 2009:Neil Patrick Harrisresponds to rumors of starting a family with David Burtka
As Harris’How I Met Your MothercostarsAlyson HanniganandCobie Smuldersbegan to expand their families, rumors swirled that Harris and Burtka were thinking of starting their own.
August 2010: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka announce they are expecting twins via surrogate
In August 2010 — a year after saying they may “someday” have kids — Harris announced thathe and Burtka were expecting twinswith the help of a surrogate.
“So, get this: David and I are expecting twins this fall,” Harris wrote onTwitter. “We’re super excited/nervous/thrilled. Hoping the press can respect our privacy…”
October 12, 2010:Neil Patrick Harrisand David Burtka welcome twins Harper Grace andGideon Scott
Frazer Harrison/Getty
In October, Harrisposted on Twitterto announce the birth of the twins, saying, “All of us are happy, healthy, tired, and a little pukey.” Before the twins were born, Harris and Burtka moved into a more child-friendly home in Los Angeles.
June 25, 2011: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burkta announce their engagement following the legalization of gay marriage in New York
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
As they later detailed in their essay forOutmagazine, Burtka first proposed to Harris in 2007, on the same street corner where they met. Harris later returned the favor, proposing to Burtka onValentine’s Dayin 2008.
January 18, 2012: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka open up inOutmagazine
Harris and Burtkaco-wrote an essayforOutmagazine. The couple opened up about their relationship, from their first meeting to when they realized that they wanted children.
“Even on that first date, we talked about kids,” Burtka wrote. “If he hadn’t wanted kids, I don’t think we’d be together.”
March 2014:Neil Patrick Harrisand David Burtka move to Harlem, New York
After Harris' hit showHow I Met Your Motherended in March 2014, he and Burtkarelocatedto New York City with their twins. The timing was perfect, as Harris began hisTony Award-winning run on Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch that April.
“I assumed [HIMYM] would be a short chapter,” Harris toldArchitectural Digestin 2015. “But the plan was always to come back to New York when the show ended and raise our family.”
September 6, 2014:Neil Patrick Harrisand David Burtka wed in Italy
After 10 years of dating, Harris and Burtkatied the knotin a private ceremony in Italy on Sept. 6, 2014. PEOPLE reported that both Harris and Burtka wore custom suits fromTom Fordand thatElton Johnperformed at the reception.
Pamela Fryman, director ofHow I Met Your Motherand a longtime friend of Harris,officiated the wedding. “Their wedding vows were so beautiful,” said guestKelly Ripa.
October 2014:Neil Patrick Harrisand David Burtka appear onAmerican Horror Story
Harris and Burtka added some horror to their romance in October 2014, when it was announced that they both would appear on separate episodes ofAmerican Horror Story:Freak Show.
Harris appeared as Chester Creb — a “chameleon salesman,” magician and ventriloquist — while Burtka’s character was involved in a “sexy storyline” withJessica Lange’s character, Elsa Mars, in the season finale.
November 2014: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka star in an advertising campaign
The couple appeared in their first joint advertising campaign in November 2014. They were the faces of the outerwear brand London Fog’s winter campaign.
Harris joked to PEOPLE that working with Burtka was especially easy: “We’re the same size, height and weight, so we share one wardrobe.”
Christopher Polk/Getty
Burtka supported his husband as Harris hosted the 2015Academy Awards. The couple arrived on the red carpet looking dapper in white and gray tuxedos.
Later in the night, Harris shocked viewers when he stripped down to his underpants on stage, one of the mostmemorablemoments of the evening.
November 2016: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka take their annual family trip to Disney World
Harris and Burtka brought Harper and Gideon to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, for their annual family trip, where they got splashed on the Kali River Rapids ride.
In 2021, Harris spoke toPEOPLEabout taking the twins toDisney World. “Our kids have grown up appreciating and valuing not only the amusement rides, but the architecture and theImagineeringthat goes on,” he said.
October 31, 2017: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka share their family Halloween costume
Neil Patrick Harris Instagram
The parents have beenwinningthe celebrity familyHalloweencostume competition since 2011 when they first dressed up with twins Harper and Gideon.
In 2017, the family took their costume to the nextlevel, dressing as a “Carnival of Curiosities.” Harris posed as a circus ringmaster, and Burtka was unrecognizable as a scary clown. Meanwhile, Harper rocked her look as a bearded lady, while Gideon dressed as the world’s strongest man.
March 2019: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka share their favorite things about each other
In aninterviewwithParade, Harris and Burtka answered rapid-fire questions about their favorite things, including their favorite thing about the other. “My favorite thing about David is probably his smile,” Harris said.
“Neil’s sense of humor,” Burtka started, before turning the moment into a joke. “We really have fun just laughing through life, and it’s the best part about him, just to laugh. At him.”
April 16, 2019: Neil Patrick Harris supports David Burtka’s first cookbook
Michael Loccisano/Getty
Burtka released his first cookbook,Life is a Party, in April 2019. “The book gives a glimpse into our world and how we entertain,” he toldPEOPLE.
The author also said that while Harris “totally supported” the book, he was busy filming in Vancouver, Canada, for much of the process, leaving the taste testing to Harper and Gideon. “It was lots of fun,” the Food Network star shared. “But the kids would ask me, ‘tangerine chicken, again?’ and ‘how many different ways can we eat lemon sole, dad?’ "
November 2020:Neil Patrick Harrisand David Burtka show off dogs in PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive issue
Bruce Glikas/Getty
The couple showed some love to their dogs, Gidget andSpike, in PEOPLE’s annualSexiest Man Aliveissue.
Harris toldPEOPLEthat he was especially grateful for his pups during quarantine. “Having these sweet dogs that are able to cuddle with you and give you unconditional love is important,” he said.
February 2021: Neil Patrick Harris takes care of David Burtka after spinal surgery
Burtka’s recovery went well, with Harris saying, “Your strength inspires me.”
August 2021:Neil Patrick Harrisand David Burtka list their Harlem brownstone for sale
Monica Schipper/Getty
In August 2021, the couple put their Harlem homeon the market. In their 2016ADinterview, Burtka said that he “just had that feeling” the first time he stepped foot in the prewar brownstone.
April 1, 2022:Neil Patrick Harrisand David Burtka mark 18 years since their first date
On April 1, 2022, Harris and Burtkacelebrated18 years since their first date. In anInstagram post, Burtka said, “We always celebrate the first date — because for 7 years of our relationship it was against the law to get married.”
Meanwhile, Harris postedhis own photo, adding: “Thank you for showing me the capacity of my heart. I love you so much.”
December 25, 2022: Neil Patrick Harris shares a family Christmas photo
Harris shared aphoto on Instagramof him, Burtka, their kids and their dogs posing next to a Christmas tree. The family of four, plus two of the dogs, looked cozy in holiday-themed garb. Harris also wore a red and white Santa hat with “Papa” written on the front.
“Merry Christmas and much love from Ella, David, Gideon, Spike, Papa, Harper and Gidget,” theHow I Met Your Motheralum wrote in the caption.
February 14, 2023: Neil Patrick Harris shares a cute Valentine’s Day photo of David Burtka and their kids
Harrisposted a sweet photoof Burka, Harper and Gideon to celebrate Valentine’s Day. In the photo, the twins could be seen wearing candy heart glasses as they sat in front of a collection of Valentine’s sweets. Burka stood behind them with his arms stretched out wide.
“My Three Funny Valentines 💌,” theHow I Met Your Motheralum wrote in the caption.
April 1, 2023: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka celebrate 19 years together
Harris and Burtka went on their first date on April 1, 2004. In honor of their anniversary, the couple shared sweet posts about each other onInstagram.
“19 years ago today I went on my first date with this man. Single greatest decision of my life,” Harris captioned a series of images with Burtka. “You are the ultimate, most astonishing roller coaster ride, and I can’t get enough. Thank you for believing in me, for believing in yourself, for believing in us. You’re the best husband, the best father, and my best friend.”
June 16, 2023: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka take theGQCouples Quiz
While taking theGQCouples Quiz, Burtka described the best gift he’s ever given Harris.
“I have to say your 40th birthday scavenger hunt extravaganza across America,” the professional chef said. “Started with a surprise party in Los Angeles, and we went cross country picking up clues and gifts and experiences, [and ended up in] New York [for] another surprise birthday party. Weeklong. Epic. It took me a year to produce.”
September 6, 2023: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka celebrate their 9th wedding anniversary
The pair markednine years of marriagewith sweet Instagram posts.
Burtka shared a cute picture of his husband kissing him on the cheek along withthe caption, “Happy Anniversary!! 9 years ago I married the love of my life… love is timeless!!”
Meanwhile, Harris shared a snap of the two smiling. “What a life. What a journey with you,“Harris wrotein the caption.
source: people.com
