'I LOVE HIM SO MUCH WE ALMOST FEEL LIKE ONE'

AS BEYONCÉ AND JAY-Z CELEBRATE THEIR 15TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, WE REFLECT ON THEIR EVENTFUL LOVE STORY

- RHONA MERCER

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary on 4 April, and the powerhouse couple are nothing if not honest when it comes to talking about the highs and lows of their relationship.

Given that they met in 2000 when Beyoncé was 18, and 12 years Jay-Z's junior, the odds of their relationship lasting so long were stacked against them They might be two of the most successful recording artists of all time, but they've faced multiple challenges, from Jay-Z's infidelity to family fallouts and their struggle to have children.

Despite the ups and downs, Beyoncé and her husband seem stronger than ever. When they first met, it's perhaps understandable that Jay-Z - whose real name is Shawn Carter - was more sure of his feelings than Bey, who has admitted to taking more time to commit.

In an interview in 2009, she said, "I was 18 when we first met, 19 when we first started dating. I really don't believe that you will love the same thing when you're 20 as you do at 30. So that was my rule - before the age of 25, I would never get married."

The singer - who in February made history when she became the biggest-ever Grammy winner after clocking up 32 awards - added, "We were friends first. Before we went on any dates, we were on the phone for a year and a half. That foundation is so important in a relationship.

The couple fell in love though, and it wasn't long before they were collaborating musically. Their first joint project was the rapper's 2002 track 03 Bonnie & Clyde, which was closely followed by her monster hit Crazy In Love. As the title would suggest, the track was inspired by the fact that Beyoncé, now 41, was besotted with Jay-Z and personal disclosure through their music would become a theme for both artists throughout their relationship.