Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden's Whirlwind Romance, as Told by Them

Updated on 7/16/2016 at 3:45 PM

Benji Madden and Cameron Diaz tied the knot in January 2015, but it is only recently that the pair has begun opening up about their private romance. In addition to the couple's sweet outings and the Good Charlotte rocker's "aw"-inducing shout-outs on Instagram, Cameron recently couldn't help gushing over her husband during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, saying Benji is her "purpose for living," and that there is no one else she would rather be with. In honor of Benji and Cameron's whirlwind romance, take a look at the sweetest things they've said about each other, and then check out the very permanent way the singer honored his wife.

Benji on Cameron

When he called her "bae": "Rule #1: When you're away from home working and you meet a puppy, always take pics to send to Bae."
On Cameron's strong work ethic: "I couldn't be more proud of my Bad Ass wife. She wakes up everyday on a mission to try and make the world a better place. I'm always amazed by the courage, strength and vulnerability she shows, relentlessly encouraging other women to love themselves. It has been amazing to get to watch her journey with her New book! #theLongevityBook #April5th @thebodybook @camerondiaz #lovemywife."
When he wished her a happy birthday: "Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, my best friend and everything else — there's so much I could write. I'm the luckiest guy alive — I get to spend the rest of my life right here. I love this Woman!! Many more Baby!!"

When Cameron was on his mind: "Thinking about you #LuckyMan."
When he couldn't help gushing about her: "Today is the day! The LONGEVITY BOOK is out! My Beautiful&Fearless Wife @camerondiaz set out to Encourage women, and ALL of US to invite a new conversation about Aging, and the privilege of time. I'm so proud. My best friend, my Heart, and the most bad ass Chick I know. Go get'em baby."

On why he's proud of Cameron: "I’m extremely proud of what she uses her platform for. She just released The Longevity Book, and before that she had The Body Book, and she spent thousands of dollars doing all the research, to get information to share with women who don’t necessarily have the resources to get that information. She’s a modern day feminist . . . I’m proud of her because of what a light she is in a world where it would be so much easier to use that stage to promote products, but she’s using that platform she has to share positivity. It’s been one of the most inspirational things in my life watching a woman be so courageous . . . She’s got so much integrity. I’m a lucky guy that I get to experience that."

On their instant connection: "It was one of those things where everyone tells you, 'You just know when you know.' I was like, 'What does that mean? Oh, I get it. You just know when you know.' Like you're my husband."
On how they met: "His sister-in-law and brother were friends of mine and I knew them for a couple of years and he just sort of ended up coming over to my house for a little party and I was like 'Hmm . . . that one.'"
On their marriage: "I do think that marriage, when you can grow with someone, it's very important. I'm just so grateful for it because I couldn't do it without my husband, and I couldn't do it with anybody else except him."
On their surprise matrimony: "That was the biggest thing I've done in my 40s, and it opened me up in different ways. It's pretty awesome. I didn't think it was something I'd do, and I don't know if I'd have done it if I hadn't met my husband."

When she couldn't help gushing about him: "He's just the most delicious, the most wonderful lovely human being on the face of the planet. I'm so lucky, he's just a dear."
On her wedding: "We did it very low-key. We just did it in our living room in front of our friends."
On how none of her exes comapre to Benji: "You know, nothing matters now that I have my husband. Like, I don't even remember any of that. All of that is like, that's the thing, that's how I know he's my husband . . . No one compares. Everything else just like washes and slips away. You realize like, 'Oh, this is like the real thing is. This is what real love is. This is what real commitment and devotion is. This is the person you build your life with.'"

On her favorite thing about being married to Benji: "One of my favorite things about being married, is how much pride I take in my husband @benjaminmadden... He makes me proud everyday.. One day it might be how generous and giving, another how gentle and thoughtful. Or when he is fiercely protective of the people he loves and cares about... And everyday single day I am so incredibly proud of his integrity as a human being.. But TODAY what I'm most proud of is his talent... his gift . . . What makes me even more proud is that he has released it on his own independent label MDDN... And it is so damn GOOOOOOOOD... Its so full of love and hope and truth... about forging and holding onto love... I wish that everyone could write music to express their pain.. their fears... their hopes and dreams. Baby you amaze me... CONGRATS!!"