Stephen ‘tWitch’ BossandAllison Holker Boss’s relationship waslove at first dance.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” Allison said in a statement to PEOPLE. “Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”
The couple first connected in 2010 when they appeared as all-stars on season 7 ofSo You Think You Can Dance, but they didn’t hit it off until the season wrap party.
“We shared a dance at the wrap party of that season ofSo You Think You Can Danceand we have been together ever since,” Stephen previously told PEOPLE.
“There was no dialogue, there was no conversation or a first hangout. Literally, we danced and we were together holding hands the very next day,” Allison added.
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The couple eventually tied the knotin Paso Robles, Calif., in 2013 and sharedthree children: daughters Weslie and Zaia and son Maddox.
From their sweet moments on the dance floor to their milestone family moments, take a look back at the couple’s love story.
Though many assumed they first met when they appeared onSYTYCDtogether in 2010, the couple actually met for the first time in 2006 at a mutual friend’s party.
“Our good friend [and Season 2 contestant] Ivan Koumaev had a party and invited a bunch of us. We met there for the first time, but Allison doesn’t remember at all!“Stephen revealed during an interview with Dance Spirit.
The two eventually crossed paths again as they both appeared as all-stars duringSYTYCDseason 7. Though they admired each other from afar, it wasn’t until the very end of the season that they formed a connection.
“We shared a dance at the wrap party of that season ofSo You Think You Can Danceand we have been together ever since,” Stephen told PEOPLE.
“There was no dialogue, there was no conversation or a first hangout. Literally, we danced and we were together holding hands the very next day,” Allison added. “And we never looked back.”
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In May 2012, Stephen and Allison went public with their relationship as they stepped out for two different events. On May 19, they attended Tyler Shields' MOUTHFUL gallery debut and on May 23, the two attended the premiere ofBattlefield America, marking their first red carpet as a couple.
Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss and Allison Holker Boss.Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
After sharing the stage onSYTYCD, the two joined forces onDancing With the Starsseason 16, performing a number together as Lindsey Stirling played music.
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The duo later celebrated their engagement as they attended the Celebration of Dance Gala, where Allison proudly showed off her engagement ring on the red carpet.
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The newly engaged couple shared a sweet kiss for the cameras as they attended the FOX All-Star Party during the Television Critics Association’s Summer Press Tour.
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A few months before tying the knot, the two attended a pre-Emmys party together and cuddled up close for the cameras.
In December 2013,the couple got marriedatSYTYCDcreator Nigel Lythgoe’s Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery in Paso Robles, Calif. In addition to becoming husband and wife, Stephen also became a stepfather toAllison’s daughter Weslie from a previous relationship.
Paying tribute to their dancing roots, the two also performed a hip-hop-inspired dance routine toJustin Bieber’s hit “Somebody to Love” alongside Allison’s daughter Weslie.
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In May 2014, the two attended one of their first events as a family of three as they walked the red carpet for the Pasadena Playhouse’s Premiere Gala alongside Weslie.
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During an episode ofDWTSin season 21, Allison revealed the exciting news that she was pregnant with her second child. The couple posed for a handful of cute photos backstage as Stephen placed his hand on Allison’s stomach.
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In March 2016, the couplewelcomed their first child together, a son named Maddox Laurel.
“[Maddox’s birth] was truly an unforgettable moment and we are grateful to everyone that shared in the experience and made it so monumental. Our family feels full!” the two said in a statement to PEOPLE.
The trio had a magical night out as they attended the premiere of Disney’s live-actionBeauty and the Beastin L.A.
Stephen “tWitch” Boss and wife Allison.Todd Anderson via Getty
In 2017, the duo teamed up onscreen again as they co-hostedDisney’s Fairy Tale Weddingstogether. In promotion of the special, the couple took a handful of dreamy photos together in front of Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom.
The family of four rocked matching suits as they attended the premiere ofThe Incredibles 2. Allison and Weslie donned bright red ensembles, while Stephen and Maddox looked sharp in black.
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A few months after their family outing,Allison gave birth to a daughter named Zaia. “Healthy beautiful angel,” Allison wrote alongside a black-and-white photo of her newborn’s tiny hand.
Shortly after expanding their family,the couple opened up to PEOPLE about parenting, saying, “It still takes a village.”
“[It’s] a little challenging [because] we have family in Utah and Arizona; our family’s spread out. But then also we have what would be our chosen family, our family friends in L.A., that are always there to help. And also we have nannies. And it does — it takes a whole village to run this thing,” Stephen said.
“I will say, as parents, we’re very, very hands-on parents. But as many people that you can have there to help you out with your kids — to love them, to share joy with them and laughter — it’s a win-win for everyone,” Allison added.
In June 2020, Stephen celebrated the53rd anniversary of the landmark Loving v. VirginiaSupreme Court case, which struck down laws banning interracial marriage.
“Love wins,” Stephen wrote alongside a photo of the Lovings and an image of him and Allison on their wedding day. “53 years ago today, our life together became a possibility. Forever turned into reality. Our family, our legacy. We couldn’t have gotten here without Mr. & Mrs. Loving.”
Stephen continued, “And just like their love for each other paved the way for change, I want for our love to do the same. To be a picture of hope. A picture of happiness. A picture that ACTUALLY looks like a really dope puzzle. Like, pieces that at one time were apart indefinitely, until someone said ‘nah, there’s a bigger picture here.’ Building that picture takes patience. Humility. Focus. Optimism. Vision. Steadfastness.”
Allison posted a similar tribute,writing: “I was able to marry the love of my life… because Mr & Mrs LOVING showed us that love always wins! 53 years ago they became the first interracial marriage to become legal! I am grateful and will continue to move forward with love!”
For PEOPLE’s Love Issue in 2022,the couple opened up about their love story, including their instantaneous connection on the dance floor at anSYTYCDwrap party.
Not long after, Allison said she knew she had found her “forever person” in Stephen. “Three weeks into us dating, I told him that he was my one,” she said. “I was so confident.”
Allison Holker Boss and Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss with Zaia, Weslie and Maddox.VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty
In June 2022, the couple attended the premiere ofMinions: The Rise of Gruwith all of their children. The family of five was all smiles as they huddled up for a handful of photos together on the red carpet.
Speaking with Jennifer Hudson on hereponymous daytime show, the couple opened up about their family and whether they “miss having a newborn in the house.”
“I sure do,” Allison declared, as both her husband and the audience reacted with surprise. “I think we would love to start trying for another one.” In response, Stephen said, “We do. I love the little babies, I love them. It’s a constant conversation.”
Allison Holker/Instagram
In November 2022, the couplecelebrated Thanksgiving with their family, posting a sweet photo on social media. “We are sending you all so much love and joy!! We are grateful for all of you for being such an incredible part of our lives!!” Allison captioned the post. “And being a wife and mother to this family is just the best gift I could ever ask for in this life!! I am grateful for our family’s love, joy and health and hope to be able to keep spreading love!!”
Stephen “tWitch” Boss and Allison Holker.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty
In December 2022, the two flashed sweet smiles as they attended the Critics Choice Association 5th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television. The event marked their last red carpet together before Stephen’s death.
On Dec. 10, Stephencelebrated his ninth anniversary with Allison, sharing throwback images from their wedding. “Happy anniversary my love @allisonholker #9years ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️” he wrote on Instagram.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” she began the statement. “Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”
Closing her statement, Allison shared a message for her husband. “Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you,” she concluded.
“To my husband, best friend, babe, Chee-chalker, Superman and father of my children I LOVE YOU FOREVER and ALWAYS,“she captioned the video. “We will forever remember you as the true beacon of light that you were and we will continue to cast your light and love throughout the world.”
Nolwen Cifuentes; Courtesy Allison Holker Boss
Allison opened up about her love for Stephen to PEOPLE in herfirst public interview since his death.
When thinking back on conversations around the dinner table, the dancer said that her family would “have so many random conversations, and there was so much laughter,” adding that their love was “so real and so loud.”
“No one had any inkling that he was low. He didn’t want people to know,” Allison said when discussing Stephen’s death. “He just wanted to be everyone’s Superman and protector.”
The mother of three also revealed thatshe and the kids still talk to Stephen, saying they believe he’s now among the stars. “He’s guiding and he’s protecting. We still feel his presence with us,” she said.
Allison and her childrenvisited Stephen’s graveon what would have been his 41st birthday.
“We feel your presence every day and will forever be grateful for the beautiful times we shared together,” the mom of three wrote on Instagram. “We feel your arms wrapping around us and holding us up on this day. Happy birthday my love @sir_twitch_alot a day we will always celebrate the gift you were and still are to this world. We love you!”
During an appearance onThe Viall Filespodcast, Allison opened up about talking to Stephen “almost every single night” following his death. She shared that their “biggest conversation” was about forgiveness.
“I was outside and I was looking at the stars andI forgave him,” Allison said. “I said, ‘I hope you found that peace.’ I needed to allow myself to almost be free of that for him.”
A year and a half after Stephen’s death, Allison appears to have found love again. The mom of threesoft launched her new romanceon Instagram — sharing a photo of two shadows (hers and the mystery man’s) holding hands.
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Allison debuted her romance withtech CEO Adam Edmundsat New York Fashion Week.
“It is a new experience for me to navigate this, and it took a lot of time for me to [feel ready]. I didn’t know if I’d ever fall into this situation again,” she told PEOPLE. “I will say this:I’m extremely happy. I feel supported, seen, understood and fully loved. And I’m really, really grateful for that.”
Allison is still cycling through emotions following Stephen’s death in 2022.
“I have been trying to release all this anger, and I’m learning there’s always going to be a moment when I get really sad or really angry or get really confused,” she told PEOPLE. “I need to remember that we stillshared such a great love, and he was such a great dad. I don’t want every memory to turn into something so sad or something I’m so mad at.”
source: people.com