When you know, you know — just ask Simone Biles.

The Olympic gymnast, 28, pinpointed the exact moment she knew her now-husband Jonathan Owens was the one when telling PEOPLE exclusively about her first date with the NFL player and the feelings she felt upon their initial meeting five years ago. And it wasn’t just a generic feeling felt by Biles, who was introduced to the Chicago Bears safety, 30, in March 2020. It was something more that she couldn’t quite describe.

“Gosh… It wouldn’t even be giddy. What is the right term? I could not stand when a girl says, ‘Oh, my god, I knew he was the one because…’ What is that feeling like? What does that even mean?” she frustratingly questioned with a laugh. In an effort to choose the most accurate word to express how she felt on their first date, the seven-time Olympic gold medalist couldn’t find one. However, she remembers the words she told her pals immediately after they met. “I don’t know the term for it, but as soon as I met Jonathan, I remember coming home and telling my friends because they were at my house getting ready with me for that little date,” she shares. “I came back and I was like, ‘Oh, I think I’m going to marry him.’ ”

The feeling was new for Biles, who had only dated one person prior to tying the knot with Owens. The feeling made her question her instinct, but in hindsight, she recognizes that it was a sign she had met her forever love. “Why did I say that? I don’t know. I don’t know why I said that,” she laughs. “It was just a random weird feeling that I’ve never felt before, and then it just happened. So I just think he was so kind and sweet, he made me laugh.”

A Love Story That Started with a Feeling

Sometimes love doesn’t arrive with fireworks, violins, or movie-style slow motion. Sometimes, it enters quietly—through a subtle feeling you can’t explain. For Olympic legend Simone Biles, that’s exactly what happened the first time she met her now-husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens.

Recently, Biles opened up about a moment on their very first date—a “random weird feeling” she had never experienced before. It wasn’t fear. It wasn’t nerves. It wasn’t even excitement. It was something different… something new. And as it turns out, that tiny spark would eventually grow into one of today’s most beloved celebrity love stories.

So what was this mysterious feeling? Why did it hit her so strongly? And how did it shape the connection between these two powerhouse athletes?
Let’s dive into the emotional, honest, and surprisingly relatable story behind Simone Biles’ unforgettable first date.

The Backdrop: Two Athletes, One Chance Encounter

How Simone and Jonathan First Connected

Every love story has its origin story, and this one began in the most modern way possible: on social media. Simone and Jonathan first started talking on a dating app—proof that even the world’s most decorated gymnast has had her share of swipes and matches.

But unlike many online connections that fade away, theirs clicked instantly.

A First Date That Wasn’t About Fame

What made this meeting different wasn’t the setting—it was the lack of pressure.
Jonathan had no idea who Simone Biles really was.
He didn’t know she was the most decorated gymnast in history.
He didn’t know she was a global icon.

And honestly? Simone loved that.

It meant she could just be herself, not “Simone Biles, the legend.”

The “Random Weird Feeling” That Started It All

A Moment She Still Can’t Fully Explain

Simone has described the moment vividly:
On their first date, while talking and laughing, she felt something shift internally. She said it wasn’t butterflies—it was something deeper, something almost spiritual.

A weird, random, unfamiliar feeling.

But here’s the thing:
Simone Biles isn’t someone who experiences fear easily. She flips through the air at impossible heights. She takes on global pressure. So for anything to feel so foreign to her… it had to be powerful.

Why the Feeling Was So Important

Think of it like a compass suddenly swinging to a new direction.
Or like hearing a song you somehow know the lyrics to even though you’ve never heard it before.

It was instinct.
It was intuition.
It was something telling her:
“This person is going to matter.”

Simone has said she couldn’t name the feeling—but she felt it. Strongly.
And honestly, many people in long, happy relationships say the same thing:
They “just knew.”

Breaking Down the Emotion: What Was the Feeling Really?

The Psychology Behind First-Date Sparks

Scientists say our brains are wired to detect compatibility within minutes. But what Simone felt wasn’t the usual mix of chemistry and nerves. It was a deep sense of comfort—almost like home.

Emotional Safety: The Key Ingredient

Biles repeatedly mentioned how safe, calm, and seen she felt with Jonathan from day one.
And let’s be real—emotional safety isn’t easy to come by, especially for someone constantly in the spotlight.

In Jonathan, she found someone genuine, grounded, and present.

Gut Instincts Aren’t Just Romantic

Simone is an athlete. She relies on instinct every day—during warm-ups, competitions, and training sessions.
So when her gut reacted to Jonathan?
She listened.

What Made This First Date So Different?

Jonathan’s Calm, Genuine Energy

While Simone carried the weight of public expectations, Jonathan approached life—and love—with a grounded simplicity. He wasn’t intimidated. He wasn’t starstruck. He was just… real.

That authenticity hit her differently.

Shared Values, Different Worlds

They came from totally different sports, backgrounds, and routines, but at the core, they shared the same values:

• Hard work

• Discipline

• Loyalty

• Humor

• Love for family

That kind of alignment doesn’t happen by accident.

When the Weird Feeling Turned Into Love

From One Date to an Unbreakable Bond

After that first date, things moved naturally—no games, no drama, no pressure. Simone later admitted that the connection felt effortless, like two puzzle pieces finally clicked.

A Relationship Built on Respect

One of the strongest parts of their love story is mutual respect.
Simone supports Jonathan’s career just as fiercely as he supports hers. They celebrate each other’s wins and carry each other through the tough days.

Facing Public Scrutiny—Together

As their relationship grew, so did public interest. But the solid foundation they built from day one helped them navigate criticism, media noise, and viral moments with maturity and unity.

Marriage: The Natural Next Chapter

A Love That Evolved but Never Lost Its Magic

Simone and Jonathan married in 2023, and fans couldn’t get enough of the stunning ceremony, the heartfelt vows, and the pure joy on their faces. The feeling she had on that first date? It wasn’t a fluke. It was the beginning of forever.

How the “Weird Feeling” Makes Sense Now

Looking back, Simone says everything about that moment suddenly aligns.
That “weird” feeling wasn’t weird at all—it was recognition.
Recognition of her person.
Recognition of her future.

Why This Story Resonates with So Many People

It Shows Love Isn’t Always a Dramatic Moment

Love can be subtle, soft, and almost unnoticeable—until it becomes everything.

It’s a Reminder to Trust Your Intuition

Simone’s story isn’t about celebrity love.
It’s about learning to trust those unusual feelings we often push aside.

What We Can Learn from Simone Biles’ First Date Feeling

Lesson 1: Don’t Ignore Emotional Signals

They’re there for a reason—even if you can’t name them yet.

Lesson 2: The Right Person Will Feel Easy

Love shouldn’t feel like a battle on day one.

Lesson 3: Authenticity Attracts Authenticity

Jonathan didn’t try to impress Simone. He showed up as himself—and that made all the difference.

Final Thoughts: A Feeling Worth Listening To

Sometimes the universe whispers before it shouts. For Simone Biles, that whisper came in the form of a strange, unexplainable feeling on a simple first date. She didn’t know it then, but that moment would become the foundation of a love story admired by millions.

Her journey reminds us to listen—really listen—to our instincts, because they often know our story long before we do.

Conclusion

Simone Biles’ confession about the “random weird feeling” she experienced on her first date with Jonathan Owens isn’t just a cute celebrity anecdote. It’s a powerful reminder that love often begins quietly, with emotions we don’t fully understand until much later. Their relationship grew from a single moment of internal clarity into a marriage grounded in trust, respect, authenticity, and emotional safety.

Her story inspires us to trust those inner nudges, embrace vulnerability, and remain open to connections that feel different—because those are often the ones that change everything.