How Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry went from teenagers in church to a family of six

Time of India

a day ago

Ayesha Curry and Stephen Curry speak during the NBA Cares Day of Service and Legacy Projects (Image via Getty Images)
The story about Stephen and Ayesha Curry is about growth, family, and love. They have been together since they started as church teens, and now they have four children, still inspiring their fans.
The Curry family house is full of life with Riley 13, Ryan 10, Canon 7, and Caius only 1 year old. They exhibit their family life and are sincere in their depiction of their difficulties, and their story is believable, as though they are talking to a friend, even when they are being shown through the spotlight.
Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry's first meeting as teenagers
It all started back in 2003 in Charlotte, North Carolina, when Stephen was 15 and Ayesha was 14. They met for the first time at a church youth group at Central Church of God, which both their families went to. At that moment, Stephen was already displaying his skills as a basketball player, being the son of
NBA
star Dell Curry, while Ayesha, who was born in Canada and grew up in a diverse family, was more into her own interests like acting and modeling.
But they weren't thinking about love at that time.
Ayesha later reflected on that initial meeting in a 2016 interview with People magazine, saying, "We were just kids. He was the cute boy at church that all of the girls were obsessed with, so I made a generalization that maybe he wasn't for me." She shared that she had a guideline about avoiding relationships with athletes, which was influenced by her insights into the sports industry through her father's ties.
On the flip side, Stephen acknowledged in the same People interview, "I don't remember the exact first day I saw her. There was no wind blowing in her face with a backlight.".
Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry went on their first date exploring Hollywood together
Fast forward to 2008. Stephen, at 20 and recently finished with his college basketball career at Davidson, was in Los Angeles for the ESPY Awards, where he had a nomination for Breakthrough Athlete of the Year. Ayesha, then 19, had moved to LA to follow her acting aspirations, landing small roles in shows such as Hannah Montana and Good Luck Charlie.
Stephen reached out through Facebook, suggesting they meet up since they were both in town.
This get-together marked the evolution from friendship to something more significant. Ayesha reminisced about that moment in a 2021 Instagram post commemorating their anniversary, mentioning, "We reconnected in LA when he was there for the ESPYs and I was modeling/acting." But it was their first official date that really made things official.
They spent the day checking out Hollywood, which included a trip to the Hollywood sign and a stop for a chai latte — Ayesha's go-to drink.
In a 2016 feature in People magazine, Ayesha revealed what caught her attention: "He was so funny and silly. The absolute opposite of what I thought he was going to be."
Stephen Curry's first kiss with Ayesha Curry turned hilarious
Not everything went smoothly at first. Their early dating phase included a hilariously botched first kiss, which Ayesha detailed in a 2019 interview with Parents magazine.
"I mean, it was friend vibes … until I dodged his first kiss," she said. "He was in mid-conversation and came flying at my face like a thief in the night. So I was like, No. Then I thought, 'Oh, I didn't know this is what was happening.'" After their LA outing, Stephen suddenly leaned in.
Ayesha's dodge wasn't him being turned down, but a shock, and they both chuckled, which helped to deepen their connection through laughter.
This story really shows the cute, clumsy stage of their relationship. They were in a long-distance relationship for some time—Stephen was in the Bay Area with the Warriors, while Ayesha was in LA—until she decided to move closer to him. In various interviews, they've frequently mentioned that honest communication helped them navigate those initial bumps. Ayesha shared this with Ellen DeGeneres on The Ellen Show back in 2016.
, "We were young and figuring it out, but his persistence and kindness won me over." By 2009, they were officially together, backing each other up during career milestones. Stephen faced a tough rookie NBA season, but Ayesha's support brought him stability.
Stephen Curry chose an unforgettable spot when he proposed to Ayesha Curry
By July 2010, Stephen was sure Ayesha was the one. He proposed in a casual, meaningful place: the driveway of her parents' house in Charlotte—the same spot where they had their first kiss after a close call.
To keep it a secret, Stephen pretended they were off to a family cookout. He recounted this to Parade magazine via Kai Green in 2015., "The plan was to act like we were going to a family cookout. So we pulled up to the house, and I stopped in the middle of the driveway, got down on my knee, and went into my spiel.
Little did I know the whole family was looking out the window, videotaping the moment."
Ayesha was caught off guard but overjoyed.
In a 2021 People magazine update, she recalled, "It was raining, and he just dropped to one knee right there. I was in shock!" The context adds a sweet touch: This location symbolized their origins, linking back to their church days in Charlotte. At 22 and 21, they were quite young, but their shared values—faith, family, and ambition—made their commitment feel just right. Stephen had recently completed his first NBA season, and Ayesha was moving from acting to culinary endeavors, fueled by her love for cooking.
Stephen Curry's life with the family of six
By 2025, the Currys are thriving as a family of six. Riley turned 13 in July 2025, with Ayesha posting throwback photos on Instagram, captioning, "13 years of you being the light of our lives." Ryan, who is now 10, Canon at 7, and little Caius, just 1, frequently show up in family updates. For instance, Ayesha shared a July 2025 Instagram post featuring them at a Warriors game, totally melting fans' hearts. On Valentine's Day 2025, Stephen took a moment to reflect on Instagram: "Couple of kids trying to figure out life together.
Wouldn't change a thing my Woman!"
They've faced challenges, like Ayesha's postpartum struggles after Caius, which she discussed openly in a 2024 HelloBeautiful interview: "It was tough, but Stephen's support got me through." Their roots in faith and giving back—via their Eat. Learn. Play. foundation—help keep them centered. As Stephen shared with BET in 2023, "From church teens to this, it's all about growth and love."
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Their story is inspiring because it's genuine: missed kisses, unexpected proposals, and the hectic family life that comes with fame. Ayesha captured it perfectly in a 2024 ET Online interview., "We started as kids in church, and now we're raising our own pack. It's been a beautiful ride."
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!