A country star, an NFL great, and their shared dream of happiness beyond the spotlight.

For the Deckers, happiness isn’t something they chase; it’s something they cultivate every day. Through their careers, adventures, and a deep, shared love for family, they’ve learned to find joy in the big moments and, more importantly, in the small ones.

Whether they’re building businesses, raising four kids, or savoring a rare slow morning together, Jessie and Eric make every season of life count. And when they need a reset, they escape to Scenic Highway 30A in Walton County, Florida, a place that feels like a second home and, as Jessie puts it, her “literal happy place.”

“Nashville is home,” Jessie said with a smile, “but 30A is where we really slow down, breathe, and enjoy each other. It’s our happy place.”

Their sweet love story is well-documented—from their reality show Eric & Jessie to their funny social media posts—but at the heart of it is a real, unshakable bond.

“We met through a mutual friend almost 14 years ago,” Jessie recalled. “We talked on the phone for weeks before we met in person. Eric flew to Nashville for the weekend, and after that, we were never apart again.”

“As soon as he met my family, I just knew,” she said. “I remember having dreams that we broke up, and I’d wake up crying because I couldn’t imagine life without him.”

For Eric, it was just as instant. “We had this deep connection early on. It wasn’t just about attraction, it was deeper than that. We had the same values, the same vision for life,” he said.

From Touchdowns to Chart-Topping Hits: A Journey of Passion and Perseverance

Both Jessie and Eric have built impressive careers in their respective fields, excelling in music, sports, fashion, and business. While their paths have been different, both have found success through hard work, passion, and an unshakable belief in themselves.

For Jessie, music was her first love. She began performing as a child and signed her first record deal at just 19 years old. “I had been singing for as long as I could remember,” she said. “My earliest memories were performing in front of my big Sicilian family and just loving the way music made me feel.”

Her career took off with hits like Wanted, and she has since released multiple albums blending country and pop influences. One of her biggest career highlights was performing at the Grand Ole Opry.

“That was a dream come true,” she recalled. “Every country artist hopes to stand on that stage one day, and when I finally did, I just felt like, ‘Okay, I’ve made it.’”

Another unforgettable moment? Recording a duet with country music legend Dolly Parton. “That was one of those ‘pinch me’ moments,” Jessie said. “Not only was she everything I dreamed she’d be—she was even better.”

While music remains at the heart of her career, Jessie has also expanded into business. Her fashion brand, Kittenish, has become a massive success, with two brick-and-mortar stores in Nashville and Tampa and a recent expansion into Kohl’s. The brand wasn’t born out of a business strategy—it was inspired by a real-life moment that made her realize how much her style resonated with women.

“It was after we did our reality show,” she recalled. “They invited me to do a meet-and-greet at a mall in Boston.”

At first, she wasn’t expecting a big turnout. “I remember driving up with my mom, and we saw this line wrapped around the entire mall—out the door, up the escalators, all the way to the top floor,” she said.

But what struck her the most wasn’t just the crowd—it was what they were wearing. “I looked around, and I saw all these girls dressed just like me. Flannel shirts, cutoff jeans, bandanas in their hair, cowboy boots… It was wild,” she said.

That was the moment she knew. “I thought to myself, ‘If they already want to dress like me, why not create a brand where they can buy the actual pieces I love?’” she said. “I wanted it to be stylish but accessible. Fun, flirty, and easy to wear.” And the seed for Kittenish was planted.

Eric’s career, on the other hand, started on the football field. A standout wide receiver, he made a name for himself in the NFL playing for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans.

“Football was my life for so long,” Eric said. “The discipline, the teamwork, the grind—it shaped who I am.”

His career was full of high points, from playing in the Super Bowl to setting multiple records. One of his most memorable games was against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he scored four touchdowns—an achievement that still stands as a franchise record.

“That was one of those nights where everything just clicked,” he said.

Another unforgettable moment was winning the AFC Championship with the Denver Broncos to advance to the Super Bowl. “The confetti, the energy, the feeling of knowing we were going to the biggest game in the world—it was unreal,” Eric recalled.

Since retiring from football, Eric has embraced a new chapter—focusing on his family, real estate ventures, and supporting Jessie’s growing empire. “I loved being able to take a step back and just be there for our kids,” he said. “Coaching their sports teams, doing school drop-offs—these were the moments I wouldn’t get back, and I was grateful for every one of them.

Through all of life’s changes, Jessie and Eric have kept up their momentum. They continue to build, create, and explore new opportunities, all while making sure their family stays at the center of it all. 

“At the end of the day, we just want to do what we love while being there for the people we love,” Jessie said. “And that, to me, is success.”

Cooking up Love: How Food Brings Them Together

Their bond isn’t just built on love and laughter—it’s also strengthened in the kitchen. “We’ve always been best friends first,” Jessie said. “We just loved being around each other, whether it was doing something exciting or just sitting on the porch watching the sunset.”

One of Jessie’s greatest passions outside of music and fashion is cooking—a love that began when she and Eric first moved in together.

“Eric was always hungry,” she laughed. “I was like, ‘Okay, I need to get in the kitchen because I don’t want him eating fast food every day.’”

She started with simple dishes—her signature jambalaya was an early favorite—and soon discovered how much she loved the creative process of cooking. What started as sharing recipes on Instagram quickly evolved into a bestselling cookbook series, and now she’s working on her latest cookbook, coming soon.

“This one is extra special because I’m collaborating with some incredible people,” she teased. “I can’t say too much yet, but there are some exciting things in the works.”

Her love for food has also led to a cookware line at Walmart, bringing stylish and functional kitchen essentials to her fans.

“I wanted cooking to feel fun and accessible for everyone,” she said. “Food is meant to bring people together, and that’s what I love most about it.”

Balancing Love, Hustle, and Home Life

Between Jessie’s music, fashion brand, cookbooks, and Eric’s post-retirement ventures, life is full. But instead of letting their careers pull them in different directions, they’ve learned to work together.

“I couldn’t do this without Eric,” Jessie said. “He’s my rock. He supports me, he keeps our family grounded, and he’s the structure when I’m all over the place.”

Their parenting styles reflect their balanced dynamic.

“She’s the energy in our house,” Eric said. “She’s creative, spontaneous, and fun, and the kids feed off that. Without her, our house would be way too structured.”

But despite their different approaches, ultimately, they see parenting as a team effort.

“We want our kids to know they are so loved and that they can do anything,” Jessie said. “If our daughter wants to be an Olympian gymnast, or if our son wants to be an NFL player, or a pop star, we’re behind them 100%.”

Eric agreed. “It’s about giving them confidence—not just for their dreams, but for life. No matter what happens, they’ll always have a strong foundation in family.”

“More than anything, we want them to understand that success isn’t just about achievements,” Jessie added. “It’s about kindness, hard work, and surrounding yourself with love and support.”

Faith, Family, and the Foundation of Their Happiness

At the core of their happiness is family. “No matter what’s going on, I always feel happiest when we’re together,” Jessie said. Whether it’s a fun trip to 30A or simply curling up on the couch after a long day, their greatest joy comes from spending time with their children and each other.

Their faith also plays a central role in keeping them grounded. “We’ve gotten away from faith as a culture, but it’s something we need,” Eric said. “It brings clarity, peace, and purpose.” For them, happiness isn’t just about feeling good in the moment—it’s about having a strong foundation built on gratitude and trust in God.

Jessie also believes that true happiness comes from appreciating life as it happens, rather than constantly looking ahead to the next big thing. “Even on the tough days, I remind myself of how blessed we are,” she said. “It’s easy to get caught up in the ‘I’ll be happy when…’ mindset, but I try to focus on being present and grateful for what we have right now.”

Eric echoed that sentiment, acknowledging how easy it is to get caught up in the world’s expectations. “We live in a culture where it’s always about ‘what’s next,’ but real happiness comes from slowing down and enjoying the moment you’re in.”

Finding Peace, Play & Paradise on 30A

While balancing careers and parenthood, the Deckers have found that 30A is where they can truly slow down and be present.

“I grew up going to Destin,” said Jessie. “It was the place for my family. My dad had a boat, and we’d spend summers at Crab Island. I remember thinking, ‘One day, I want to have a house here with my own family.’”

Eric first experienced 30A through Jessie, and it was love at first sight, both with the area and the laid-back lifestyle.

“The first time I saw the beaches, I was blown away,” he recalled. “The white sand, the aqua-blue water—it was like the Caribbean. It was exactly what I pictured paradise to be.”

Since 2015, 30A has been their second home, a place where they can escape from the demands of their busy lives and just be. Ask them what a perfect day in 30A looks like, and you’ll get two very different answers.

Jessie: “A chair on the beach, doing absolutely nothing but soaking up the sun.”

Eric: “I love the beach, but then I want to go for a bike ride, play pickleball, grab some good food. I can’t just sit still.”

One thing they both agree on? The food.

“There’s this burger place I went to every single day last summer,” Eric said. “And obviously, fresh seafood. You can’t go wrong.”

“The kids get so excited every time we go,” Jessie said. “Last summer, we spent almost the whole season down there, and it was amazing.”

When asked to describe 30A in three words, their answers come easily.

“Happy, fun, and family,” Jessie said.

“Family, sunshine, and peace,” Eric added.

30A has also been a source of inspiration for Jessie’s career. 

“A few years ago, we designed a swimwear line that was totally inspired by 30A,” she said. “The colors—the aqua blue, pastel purples, bubblegum pinks—were influenced by the Gulf and the neighborhoods there. It’s just such a beautiful place.” 

“And I have a song coming out called ‘Stardust,’” she shared. “I’m actually shooting the music video on 30A.”

When asked about the vibe, she smiled and said, “Very breezy.”

Beyond beach days and bike rides, their children have also inherited some of their parents’ favorite 30A traditions—especially when it comes to food. “The Donut Hole is a must,” Jessie said. “Eric is up early every morning, grabbing a whole box for the family.”

Eric laughed, confirming his devotion to the local spot. “It’s a staple. I don’t care how early I have to wake up—I’m getting those donuts.”

What’s Next for the Deckers?

At the end of the day, what truly matters to Jessie and Eric isn’t their careers, their success, or even their beautiful beach house—it’s their love for each other and their family.

“The biggest lesson about the journey to happiness I’ve learned is to be present,” Eric said. “Life moves fast, but when you slow down, you realize happiness isn’t a destination—it’s right here.”

“It’s in the small moments, the everyday love, and just being together,” Jessie added.

Learn more about Jessie and Eric Decker at jessiejamesdecker.com.