It’s safe to say that 2018 has been a banner year for celebrity couples.

From the megastar marriage of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to the blossoming of an epic love story between Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, several high-profile relationships have captivated fans and brought joy to those following their exploits.

But amid the gleeful celebration of happy days, it’s important to remember that these relationships haven’t always been built on the soundest of foundations. Here, we take a look back at the rocky road to celebrity couple status for the “Barden Bellas” – Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.

From Candy To Cigarettes

Before Robert and Kristen were united in matrimony, they had to overcome an arduous six years of dating. The couple’s star-crossed journey to the altar marked a time of great personal growth for both individuals, and established the foundations for their happily-ever-after.

While their road to “Namorada” was far from easy, it was paved with the kind of self-reflection that leads to personal growth and maturity. Robert Pattinson described their courtship as “a bit of a roller-coaster ride,” adding: “We were both testing the other one out, to see what would happen. We were just seeing how far we could go… Before you know it, you’re making each other laugh, and you’re sharing your deepest secrets with each other.”

From Passionate Producers To Private Ambitions

When it comes to creating art, Stewart is no stranger. She rose to fame as one of the original film directors on the hit series “The Gilmore Girls,” and went on to direct a handful of other shows.

Pattinson, on the other hand, is a man of many talents. Aside from his acting accolades, the 32-year-old boasts a Grammy nomination for Best Music Album – featuring vocals. He’s also a songwriter, producer, and guitarist, in addition to being a devoted husband and father.

The two began working together professionally in 2007, when they co-wrote Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” Two years later, they produced Lana Del Rey’s breakthrough album, “Born To Be Bad,” and began to carve out a niche for themselves in Hollywood. They’ve continued to work alongside each other, and now find themselves at the forefront of an acting renaissance, with numerous high-profile projects slated for release in the coming years.

The Early Days

Prior to their star-crossed journey, Robert and Kristen had already forged a strong connection through the creative process. They began dating in 2003, after meeting on the set of the 2004 horror sequel, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.”

“We’d been seeing each other a little bit before that, but we really hit it off when we started working together,” said the “Twilight” actor, as recounted to Variety in 2014. “We have a good working relationship. We trust each other. I think we can add another layer to our chemistry.”

From Twilight Fame To A New Era Of Stardom

The success of “Twilight” was something unique. Summit Entertainment’s mega-hit film not only introduced us to the mesmerizing world of Edward Cullen – it also introduced us to a brand new type of vampire. For the first time in literature, we were introduced to the glamorous lifestyles of the bloodsucking elite. The film spawned two bestselling books (“Breaking Dawn” and “Eclipse”) and an entire ecosystem of merchandise, ranging from toys to apparel to food.

“Twilight” captured the imagination of audiences around the world, and its success marked the beginning of a new era in horror cinema, and for vampire fiction as a whole. To this day, Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight” series is one of the most successful vampire sagas ever written, and it continues to delight and terrify audiences globally.

The ‘Twilight Zone’

The first installment of “The Twilight Zone” premiered on CBS in 1959, and featured five classic stories that would unfold in distinct episodes, each one ending with a startling twist. While the series was originally crafted as a Thursday-night filler, it went on to become one of the most watched programs in television history, averaging around 27 million viewers per week during its original run.

After “Twilight,” it was only a matter of time before the ‘Net delivered on its promise and created its own modern-day ‘Twilight Zone.’ With the advent of VHS, home video, and eventually the streaming era, fans could now experience the show’s iconic opening – with its iconic opening theme song, “Twilight,” performed by Johnny Mathis – on their own time and at their own leisure.

An Epic Love Story

The beginning of a love story is almost always characterized by fireworks and songs rising to the forefront. For Robert and Kristen, their meeting was no different. After exchanging a few emails, the couple decided to meet for lunch in Los Angeles. What started as a routine meeting gradually turned into one of the most famous love stories of our time. The media frenzy that followed was unparalleled, and it wasn’t until two months later that they finally got a chance to speak privately, which they did for approximately 10 minutes before the media frenzy once more returned.

From that point forward, Robert and Kristen never turned down an opportunity to be photographed together. The resulting relationship wave was dubbed “The Twilight Effect,” causing a marked increase in breakups and committed relationships around the world.

The Wedding Plans

In the lead-up to their wedding day, Robert and Kristen made numerous press appearances to promote their upcoming nuptials. After nearly six years of dating, the couple decided to walk down the aisle together on December 21, 2018 at the St. James’ Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, with 100 guests in attendance. The reception, held at the nearby LACMA, was filled with famous faces, including Bella Swan herself, Kristen Stewart.

With their star-crossed journey complete, it’s fair to say that Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have weathered the storm and emerged as stronger individuals, and better mates. As Pattinson told Entertainment Tonight in 2018, “I’ve been so lucky to have found someone who is just as passionate as I am about creative pursuits. Also, who shares my vision of what a home should be like.”