Joanna Gaines’ husband, Chip Gaines, has a new era of life ahead of him, and he’s contemplating the change that’s coming.
Come next month, on November 14, the former HGTV star will celebrate his 50th birthday.
He and his wife, who is still about four years away from the fifth floor, have been married since 2003, and have five children: Drake, 19, who recently started his sophomore year at Baylor University, Ella Rose, 17, Duke, who just celebrated On his 16th birthday, Amy Kay, 14, and Crow, six.
You might also like to learn about Chip and Joanna Gaines’ five children
In honor of this upcoming milestone, Chip wrote a thoughtful essay for the Fall 2024 issue of Magnolia Magazine, speaking about wisdom and his ambitions as a child to become a wise old man, and the lessons he learned.
“Wisdom—where to find it, how to hold on to it, and to whom to give it—has been my goal since I was a child,” he explained at the start, adding, “Like the people you see in a park or in a garden.” beach with metal detectors sweeping the sand,” when he was young, he was “there with my sensor, scanning my little corner of the world looking for examples of people who I thought might hold the great secrets of the universe, people who I thought carried wisdom that could connect me.” Where I wanted to go.”
“It occurred to me that only a select few could hold such a treasure,” he noted, “and I looked for people who looked like they might have it. What I call the ‘ancient sages’ in our community. Some people told me it would be wise for me to follow them, and if the timing was right… Conveniently, when I discover one of them, I will not waste a single second to come forward, ask what I can, and pray for them to make fun of me.”
© InstagramJoanna and Chip have been married since 2003
Now, “the same age as those ‘old sages’ I used to follow,” he reflects on his journey to wisdom as a 50-year-old. “It has been half a century since I occupied a place on this earth.” “I started working so hard and so fast,” he recalled, “at such a young age – always racing against some invisible clock – I kind of thought that by 50 I could have lived a thousand lives. Surely five decades would be enough. It was time to collect… All the wisdom of the world, all those secrets I wanted to seek out and sure enough by the age of 50 I would be a “wise old man” myself.
More: Joanna and Chip Gaines surprise fans with long-awaited announcement
More: Joanna Gaines shares how her youngest son is putting his own touches on the 40-acre farmhouse
Here he shares some of his wisdom with us. “It is not gained by following the few, but by listening to the group,” he said. “In other words, wisdom is not gained when we fit in with the ‘right’ people.” “It’s acquired when we’re in tune with people — period.”
© Getty The couple is based in Waco, Texas
“You can choose to frame your point of view based on similarity, but I can tell you that things dry up quickly, and what you’re left with is nothing more than an echo chamber. But open yourself up to making group connections and what you want.” Gains are a collection of experiences — and they are dynamic in that “Enough to extract wisdom you didn’t even know you were looking for.”
MORE: Joanna Gaines’ son looks so big as mom shares adorable home videos
© InstagramChip with his three sons
“I believe this is the secret door to true wisdom,” Chip continued. “Instead of acting as followers, we can be more like pollinators, picking up ideas from one place and carrying them to another.”
MORE: Joanna Gaines reveals how youngest son Crow, 6, inspired her new move: ‘Never think it’s ever too late’
© Getty They’ve been running their Magnolia business together since they tied the knot
“Instead of going through life looking for the ‘right’ people to share our time with, we see snowball benefits. When we let more people in, we are all better off.”
“The bottom line,” he said, is: “If you’re interested in wisdom, you should be interested in real connection, the kind that has no direction in mind other than closeness. That’s all. That’s my big advice. Be curious and connect with people you know and people you don’t.” Know them. Listen, then listen closely. I believe we all have something to offer each other. If you think so, too, let us live in a way that demonstrates our wisdom.”
