Weddings Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson 'Got Engaged Years Ago' Says Source, But Were in 'No Rush to Get Married' The pair began dating sometime in 2017 and have kept their romance out of the public eye By Kimberlee Speakman Kimberlee Speakman Kimberlee Speakman is a digital writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2022. Her work has previously appeared in Forbes and she has also worked in broadcast television as a reporter for Hawaii-based news station KHON2 News. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 8, 2024 01:30PM EST Close Photo: JMEnternational for BRIT Awards/Getty; Samir Hussein/WireImage Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson have always kept their romance private, including the news of their engagement. The Coldplay frontman, 47, and the Madame Web actress, 34, "got engaged years ago but were in no rush to get married," a source close to the couple tells PEOPLE. Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson's Relationship Timeline Johnson was previously spotted in December 2020 wearing a large emerald ring on her left hand, however, the pair declined to comment at the time. A source confirmed to PEOPLE, that the ring was in fact an engagement ring. She was also seen wearing the sparkler while celebrating her 34th birthday party with Martin in Los Angeles in October and at the Hope for Depression Research Foundation event in November, but took it off during her Saturday Night Live hosting stint in January, per the outlet. Rumors have been circulating for years that the pair, who began dating some time in 2017, were engaged, though a source adds that the duo "has had ups and downs" throughout their relationship. The actress' father Don Johnson was also asked about the couple's rumored engagement on Good Day New York. The actor deflected the question at the time saying, "Oh god. I don't think much further than about the next seven or eight seconds." "But listen, if she's happy, I will be happy, and he's a lovely guy," he added. "And if she decides to get married, I would imagine that there would be grandchildren not too far out for that. I'd be pretty excited about that part." Dakota Johnson Says She Could Watch Partner Chris Martin Perform 'Every Day': 'I Love Me a Musician' The were initially photographed together in 2017 on what appeared to be a romantic date at a sushi restaurant in Los Angeles. A source told PEOPLE at the time that they were "cozy, laughing and affectionate." They were spotted on a few more dates together around Los Angeles and even walking arm in arm on the beach in Malibu before finally making their first public appearance at Stella McCartney's Autumn 2018 Collection. In 2021, the couple moved into their shared home in Malibu. That same year, Johnson opened up about their romance in an interview with Elle. "We've been together for quite a while, and we go out sometimes, but we both work so much that it's nice to be at home and be cozy and private," she said. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Despite keeping their relationship mostly private, the pair have shared glimpses into their life together including when Martin briefly crashed a Sundance Film Festival Zoom event for her film Cha Cha Real Smooth in 2022 to help her fix her technical difficulties. Martin’s ex wife, Gwyneth Paltrow with whom he shares daughter, Apple, 19, and son Moses, 17, also praised the Fifty Shades of Grey star during a Q&A for her followers on her Instagram Story in October. "We’re actually very good friends," she said. “I love her so much. She’s an adorable, wonderful person." Johnson and Martin's representatives did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.