Olympic diver Tom Daley is known not only for his impressive athletic performances but also for the lovely family he has built with his husband, Dustin Lance Black. Their romance grew into a strong marriage and parenthood with the arrival of two sons in 2013. This article takes one through the journey of the couple from the moment they first met to the raising of their children. All these are milestones that have defined their life together.
A Love Story Begins: Tom Daley Meets Dustin Lance Black
First Encounter at a Dinner Party
Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black’s love story began in the year 2013, as both first crossed each other at a dinner party. At the time, Daley was riding on the high tide after his first Olympic medal at the London 2012 Olympics. The chemistry between Daley and Black was almost immediate. There were also the problems of having a long-distance relationship, with Daley staying in the UK and Black being domiciled in the United States. In light of this date, Daley celebrated their eighth year anniversary in March this year by making a humble post on Instagram, thanking him for all the great memories the two have had together. Black too, posted his own tribute in remembrance of the fun, sleepless nights, and the euphoria of siring a family.
Their Proposal Story: A Tale of Two Engagements
The story of this couple’s engagement is one of passion, impromptu actions, and a hint of fun. He had decided to propose to Daley when they went to the United States but decided against it. Black wanted that special moment to happen at a place to which they could go back with their kids one day and show them the place where it all began. It was actually when they came back to London that Daley sprung the first surprise on Black by popping the question. The box was in his underwear and when Black emerged from the bathroom, Daley went down on one knee. Indeed, Black was emotional, too, and proposed back with a rehearsed speech to further put across their love for one another and their commitment.
Making the Engagement Public
In a nod to tradition, Daley and Black also announced their engagement in the Births, Deaths, and Marriages column of The Times back in October 2015. That was a very simple yet gracious way to inform the world of their happy news, marking the beginning of their lives as man and wife.
A Fairytale Wedding: Tying the Knot at Bovey Castle
A Castle Wedding in Devon
Two years after the engagement, Daley and Black tied the knot on May 6, 2017, in Bovey Castle, Devon, England. This castle in Devon is only 30 miles away from Daley’s hometown of Plymouth. The picturesque views of the castle formed an exquisite background for their wedding. It was a very intimate occasion, attended by 120 of their closest friends and family members, who were to travel from as far as Texarkana out west to Plymouth in southern England to celebrate the couple’s love. Daley would later take to Instagram and post the moment, where he published a photo of the two walking down the aisle and indicated how highly thankful he was for the day.
Building a Family: Welcoming Their Sons
The Birth of Their First Child, Robbie Ray
Their journey to parenting started when their first son, Robert “Robbie” Ray, was born by way of surrogacy on June 27, 2018. The name Robbie holds special meaning for Daley, as it honors his late father who passed away in 2011. As it is also the middle name of both father and son, it is poignantly multi-generational. The couple had introduced Robbie to the world with a black-and-white photo, captioned with words of love and gratitude, all those dear to them that help to realize the dream of having a family.
Their Completes with Phoenix Rose: Second Son for the Daley-Blacks
In March 2023, the Daley-Blacks were joined by Phoenix Rose as their second surrogate-born son. Again, they have chosen to keep the identity of the boys’ biological father confidential, just like the case with Robbie. They have said that they don’t want to know who the biological father is, as what is important is the love and care that they are able to provide as parents. Black has spoken of their decision to be open and honest with their children about their origins, following advice from adults born through surrogacy who told them that one of the most important things is to be open and honest.
Family Support: Cheering Tom On at the Olympics
A Moment to Remember at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Tom Daley has just taken his magnificent history in diving to an even more supreme level with a silver medal performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the event of men’s synchronized 10-meter platform. This was made all the more special with the husband and their two sons cheering him on from the stands. On the other side of the barrier, Daley’s mother and their children wore “Team Daley” shirts, showing their support and love. Black would refer to the moment in speaking later on his social media, claiming how this was the paramount pride at that moment—having his son determined so hard and what it meant for them to feel that, having family near.
Retirement from Diving: Focusing on Family
Just weeks after the Tokyo Games, an emotional Daley made that tearful telephone call. Speaking to the BBC, he said it was the right time to leave the sport as he wanted to be around his family. Daley added that it has been special to compete in front of his children and fulfill his dream of being flagbearer for his country. This retirement signifies the end of an era for his sporting career but secures the start of a new life focused on his family.
Raising Future Athletes: Robbie’s Love for Water
A Budding Diver in the Family
It seems that Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black have a budding Olympian in their family. Over the months, he has posted a lot of glimpses featuring his son Robbie’s budding interest in swimming, dubbing him his “little water baby.” This picture is from September 2020, when Daley posted it, about himself and Robbie underwater, marveling at the magic of swimming with Robbie. A year later, he posted a picture of them at the top of the diving board at the London Aquatics Centre, and by this time, Robbie seemed to be unfazed with height, proving to be a chip off the old block in his father’s courage and love for the water.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Love and Family
The journey of Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black as a couple is a testament to the strength of love, commitment, and family. From the very first meeting to raising two sons, strong affection and mutual respect have been the basis for their relationship. Now, as Daley transitions from champion diver to family man, the couple continues to inspire others in their dedication to each other and their children. Their story is one that has managed to succeed against all the odds, while cherishing moments given by making a heritage of love which has to be passed on, and will end up influencing not just the sons but many others in years to come.
