Actress Jill Wagner has made a name for herself in family romantic comedies, but her real-life romance with husband David has many of those heartwarming story elements.
They dated early in life. They went their separate ways. And they were together again. Set in a small town and a farm, both part of the real story, it has all the makings of a Christmas rom-com.
“We were living in our own movie,” Wagner told Crosswalk Headlines with a laugh.
Jill and David will tell that and other stories on Dec. 23 on Great American Family. Christmas on the farm with Jill Wagner and her familythey celebrate Christmas with friends and family on a farm in East Tennessee.
“God brought us together,” David said in the feature. “He chose the right time.”
The two first met when she was 17 and went on a few dates before he immigrated to Canada, but she was “smitten,” she said.
“He never called me.”
They met by chance, especially in Afghanistan, when Wagner was in his mid-thirties.
“I went to Afghanistan on a USO tour, and he just happened to be at one of the 12 bases we went to,” she said. “But I was dating someone, and he was dating someone, so I was like, 'Wow, it's nice to meet you in this weird part of the world.'”
Three years after leaving Afghanistan, the two met by chance in Los Angeles.
“We kind of knew at that point. We thought, 'Okay, there's a reason this keeps happening.' And three months later we got engaged, we got married right away, we moved from Los Angeles that year, we renovated this house, and then I got pregnant. Everything happened so quickly, but it was the most incredible time. Even now, when I look back on those days, I wonder if that really happened.
“It was a romantic comedy, and I'm going to make that movie someday. I've got to find the right people to do it with. But it was really incredible.”
The couple currently resides on a farm on the Tellico Plains, which is the focus of the “Great American Family” special.
“When I lived in Los Angeles for 20 years, I never felt like this was home. But this land, this farm, feels like home,” Wagner told Crosswalk Headlines. told. “…Now that I have children, I want to do the same for my children: that they grow up around people who know them and who will help them and who will help them. I think that's really important.”
The restored chapel is her favorite place. When they moved to the farm, it was in rough condition, she said.
“I made a promise to God, 'If I ever get this property, I promise to fix this up.'” And we just got it fixed this year. …When I want to be quiet, I go in there and pray. And I think it's really important for David and I to be able to teach our kids that it's a place they can go to 24/7. I hope it becomes a really important staple in their lives. ”
Photo courtesy of Great American Families.
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's podcast! he is the host of crosswalk talka podcast where he speaks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christians are making their faith a priority in Hollywood, and discover the best Christian movies, books, TV and other entertainment. can be found crosswalk talk above LifeAudio.comor subscribe at apple or spotify So never miss an interview that is sure to encourage your faith.
