Suleika Jaouad’s love story with Jon Batiste is a testament to the power of connection and timing. During an appearance on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard on July 2, Jaouad, 37, shared the heartfelt moment when she knew that Batiste, 38, was the man she was destined to marry.
Reflecting on their journey, Jaouad recalled how their paths first crossed in an unexpected way.
A Memorable First Meeting
Jaouad first met Batiste at band camp when she was a teenager. Though she was struck by his unique presence, she never imagined that their connection would lead to a lifelong partnership. “I thought I’d never see him again,” Jaouad recalled. But as fate would have it, four years later, their lives would intersect once more.
A Serendipitous Encounter at Julliard
It was during her first weekend at Juilliard that Jaouad spotted Batiste on the 1 train in New York City. She described him as “attracting stares” with his headphones on, humming to himself, and rocking out to an imaginary piano. “Everyone was like, ‘Who is this crazy dude?’” Jaouad laughed, recalling the quirky moment.
When she recognized him, she exclaimed, “That’s Jon Batiste from New Orleans.” And without thinking, she blurted out, “That’s the man I’m going to marry someday.” A seemingly simple remark, but one that, in hindsight, felt like a moment of destiny.
Their Relationship Journey and Wedding
Jaouad and Batiste’s relationship blossomed over the years, and in February 2024, they celebrated their third wedding anniversary. This anniversary also marked three years since Jaouad’s bone marrow transplant.
That same month, they won two Grammy Awards for their documentary American Symphony, further cementing their shared commitment to both their love and creative endeavors.
Reflecting on the significance of these anniversaries, Jaouad shared, “Life isn’t either good or bad or happy or sad. It’s all of it unfolding simultaneously all at once.” She sees the overlap of their wedding anniversary and her medical milestone as a metaphor for navigating the complexities of life.
A Life-Altering Diagnosis and Wedding Decision
In 2022, Jaouad shared with CBS Sunday Morning that their decision to get married was influenced by her diagnosis of leukemia for the second time. The couple knew they wanted to marry from the start of their relationship, and the timing wasn’t rushed.
“This is not a hasty decision!” Jaouad said, explaining that they had discussed marriage from the very beginning of their relationship.
When Batiste proposed, he assured her that the timing wasn’t related to her diagnosis. “It’s taken me a year to design your ring,” he told her. “This timing has nothing to do with it. But what I do want you to know is that this diagnosis doesn’t change anything. It just makes it all the clearer to me that I want to commit to this and for us to be together.”
Jaouad added that their wedding was “tiny” but “perfect.” Despite the looming challenges of her upcoming treatment, their wedding day was filled with joy and positivity.
“We walked into that bone marrow transplant unit on cloud nine,” Jaouad recalled. “We were so happy, so brimming with love and positivity from this beautiful evening that we’d had. And I really believe that that carried us through.”
Suleika Jaouad and Jon Batiste’s story is one of fate, love, and resilience. From their serendipitous meeting at band camp to their intimate wedding before Jaouad’s bone marrow transplant, their bond is a testament to the deep connection that can arise even in the most challenging times.
Their journey together continues to inspire others, showing that love and commitment can flourish despite life’s unpredictability.
