Joel Madden Asked Nicole Richie to Marry Him Ten Times

I know, I know: Joel Madden and Nicole Richie, what is this, 2009? First of all, quit being such smart asses, you guys, and second of all, this is an interesting little story, so suck it up while I tell you about the epic tale of the romance between that one guy from Good Charlotte and Paris Hilton’s former BFF.

Here, I’ll give you a brief timeline so you guys have everything in place for this story, all right? Joel and Nicole started dating in 2006, and they had their daughter, Harlow, in 2008. Then, in 2009, Nicole gave birth to their son, Sparrow. It wasn’t until 2010 that the couple finally got married.

Now, I’m obviously not saying that you have to be married in order to have a family or a legitimate relationship, not at all, but when a couple doesn’t follow that pattern, I think it’s natural to wonder. That’s why people always went on and on about Brad and Angelina when they were together several years and had several children with no hint of marriage. It’s not a reprehensible course of action by any means – do what works for you and makes you happy – but there’s usually a reason why.

So what was the reason for Nicole and Joel? Basically, Nicole would never say yes:

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. And again. And again. And again. And again…

Just ask Joel Madden.

The 33-year-old Good Charlotte rocker admitted to Aussie radio show Fifi & Jules on Friday that it took nearly a dozen tries to getFashion Star stunner Nicole Richie, 30, to agree to holy matrimony prior to their weddingin 2010.

“My wife is pretty good at rejecting me … people don’t know this,” he said. “But I asked her to marry me 10 times before she actually said yes — I was asking every other Tuesday.”

The show’s host Jules Lund asked Madden, “What made that tenth one different? How did she break? What did you bring out that was different?”

“I pulled out the kids!” he said of their two daughters, Harlow, 4, and Sparrow, 3. “I said, ‘Do you really wanna do this to these kids?’ I’m just kidding. I’m passive aggressive.”

Man. I’m sure it’s all about knowing the person you’re with, but if I got turned down that many times, or even once, I’d probably be a little devastated. Like, I could see myself having a bit of a meltdown and screaming really embarrassing things like “what do you want from me?!” and “am I not good enough for you?!” and “you don’t think I’m pretty anymore!” Joel Madden here seems really chill about the whole thing though, and their marriage is doing just fine, so I guess it wasn’t that big a deal.

What do you guys think? Would you hang out while your significant other repeatedly turned you down?