The elastic canon of The Simpsons allows the set-dressing to change while binding the core history of the characters to a consistent throughline -- including one of the show's most central relationships, Homer and Marge. While the couple has witnessed their fair share of ups and downs, they always stay together, often with a new appreciation for their marriage. Let's breakdown their history and how The Simpsons revealed their relationship over the years.
First Meeting(s)
Homer and Marge's first meeting was elaborated on in Season 15's "The Way We Weren't," which revealed they had attended neighboring summer camps in their youth where they shared their first kiss. But Homer was separated from Marge after he was mistaken for a fat camp kid, and his sudden, unexplained disappearance broke Marge's young heart. The two later met in high school, as depicted in Season 2's "The Way We Was." While tutoring him in French -- a class he did not take but lied about to spend time with her -- Marge was initially irritated by Homer's brash personality but grew to appreciate his openness, happy demeanor and "lack of pretension."
When Marge discovers the truth, she breaks off their prom plans and goes with Artie Ziff instead. Homer confesses his deep care for Marge and tries to accept her gentle explanation that they're not meant to be, no matter how he feels. After Homer prevents Artie from forcing himself on Marge, she returns home but decides she wants to see Homer again. She finds him walking back from the prom and gives him a ride home. The pair become high school sweethearts and remain in a relationship after graduation -- as opposed to Marge's best friend Chloe, who in Season 16's "She Used To Be My Girl" was revealed to have broken up with her boyfriend, Barney Gumble, to travel the world and become a world-renowned journalist.
Young & In Love
Homer and Marge dated throughout their twenties, with multiple episodes revealing more about their relationship over the years and how it played out. Marge consistently worked as a photographer (as revealed in Season 18's "Springfield UP"), helping support Homer during a period where he tried to make it big with his musical talents. Ironically, Homer briefly found success as part of a rock band in Season 19's "That '90s Show," during a time when Marge had briefly broken up with him. Hating to see Homer in pain, Marge restarted their romance, and Homer gave up his musical ambitions.
Homer and Marge also dealt with more relationship trouble during this time period. "I Married Marge" and "3 Scenes Plus A Tag From A Marriage" showcased some of the highlights of their time together, a simple and loving romance that became more intimate over time. But Marge also grew increasingly frustrated with Homer's crude attitude. Season 14's "Three Gays & A Condo" revealed Marge actually came close to reaching a breaking point but changed her mind and decided to continue her romance with Homer. Just a few days later, Marge discovered she was pregnant with Bart, prompting the pair to quickly get engaged and married.
"I Married Marge" saw Homer get his Nuclear Power Plant job shortly before Bart's birth, allowing him to better provide for his family. Season 4's "Lisa's First Word" and "3 Scenes Plus A Tag From A Marriage" both played with the fact that despite the pair having lived in an apartment in downtown Springfield, that space just wasn't big enough -- especially when Marge became pregnant with Lisa. The family was able to find a house in the suburban part of Springfield on Evergreen Terrace, which has been their main residence ever since.
Although Homer and Marge were both tempted by affairs in Season 20's "Dangerous Curves," their marriage endured. Despite tribulations, Homer and Marge always find their way back to each other, making their relationship a bed-rock for the series.
The Simpsons stars the voices of Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer, Julie Kavner, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria. New episodes air Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.