After celebrating a year filled with personal milestones, Simone Biles is ecstatic about the one her parents just reached. “Happy 48th anniversary,” the seven-time Olympic gold medalist wrote while sharing Nellie Biles’ Instagram post on her story. “HAPPY 48th ANNIVERSARY Ron. Blessed that we can share this, and every morning still starts with I love you,” wrote Biles’ mother.

“My parents are so cute,” Biles added while sharing the post. However, the reigning Olympic champion isn’t the only one who celebrated her parent’s special day. The 27-year-old’s younger sister also celebrated Ronald and Nellie Biles. “Grateful to come from a love like this, this is why my expectations are high. If it’s not like this I don’t want it!!!” wrote Adria Biles.

Just like her sister’s post, the 25-year-old also added a nod to the huge milestone, writing “48 years,” alongside an emoticon with clinking glasses. However, the couple has known one another for even longer than 48 years. Here’s a look at their early years to put things into perspective. While Ronald and Nellie Biles tied the knot on January 16, 1977, they had met earlier when Ronald Biles was a single father.

As per Andspace, Ron Biles was working in the Air Force as an air traffic controller when he first locked eyes with Nellie Biles, who was still in college in San Antonio. Ron Biles’ daughter Sharon would eventually move to Cleveland, Ohio, where she had four children, including Adria and Simone Biles. Yet, the Biles sisters would be admitted to foster care as their mother struggled with substances.

So Ron and Nellie Biles adopted Simone Biles and her sister Adria when she was just six. And that’s how they became the Olympic champion’s parents. Since then, the seven-time Olympic gold medalist has celebrated her adoptive parents at every opportunity. In fact, this isn’t even the first time she’s dedicated a post to them on their anniversary.

The Olympic gold medalist posted an anniversary tribute on January 26, 2017, as well. “HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY TO MY PARENTS. Couple Goals!” Biles posted on Instagram, sharing a throwback photograph of a much younger Ron and Nellie Biles. However, the defending world champion’s parents have been much more than just couple goals for the gymnastics icon.

Simone Biles credits her adoptive parents for all her achievements

Even after all this and becoming the most decorated gymnast in history, the 27-year-old thanks Ron and Nellie Biles for their contribution every chance she gets. Biles repeatedly spoke about her parents’ support ahead of Paris 2024. “For me, it means the world. ’cause being adopted since I was six years old to now, it’s been a long road and journey, like career-wise and just like who Simone is instead of Simone Biles,” the gymnast said on the Call Her Daddy podcast.

She did the same when USA TODAY’s Hoda Kotb asked the gymnast about the most important person in Simone Biles’ life. “If not for blank, I would not be here today.’ If not for blank… who’s that person?” asked Kotb. However, for the eleven-time Olympic medal winner, it wasn’t one person, it was the pair who the gymnastics legend called her couple goals.

“If not for my parents and adoption, I wouldn’t be here today,” the Olympian told the Kotb in April 2024. When the time came to fight for redemption in Paris, Biles once again found Ron and Nellie Biles’ support. While they had missed Tokyo 2020 due to the COVID-19 restrictions, they didn’t miss the Paris Summer Games.

And the ones who had introduced their daughter to gymnastics cheered as Biles won her seventh Olympic gold. So it is no wonder Ron and Nellie Biles’ children continue to celebrate their milestones as well.