Remember when The Big Bang Theory‘s Sheldon would only refer to Amy as his friend but not his girlfriend? Eight years later, the fan-favorite couple said “HIja’!” (That’s “I do” in Klingon.)
Sheldon and Amy’s wedding was also where they made their initial breakthrough in super asymmetry, which earned them a Nobel Prize in the 2019 series finale.
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In honor of Big Bang‘s 15th anniversary, TVLine is looking back at 23 unforgettable moments that showcase the evolution of #Shamy — including, but not limited to: their peculiar meet-cute, a devastating break-up and a cross-country proposal. We’ve also included all of their firsts, such as the first time they held hands and, yes, the first time they had coitus. We’ve also included a moment from the prequel series Young Sheldon, which offer a glimpse into the fan-favorite couple’s future. All are available to stream on HBO Max (sign up here).
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Keep scrolling to see which moments made our cut, then hit the comments and tell us if you agree (or disagree) with our choices.
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Meet Cute in 'The Lunar Excitation'
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Season 3, Episode 23
Original Airdate: May 24, 2010
The pair bond over their nagging mothers, then Sheldon offers to buy her a warm beverage. The rest is history.
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First Date in 'The Robotic Manipulation'
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Season 4, Episode 1
Original Airdate: Sept. 23, 2010
Penny serves as chaperone. Suffice it to say, the #Shamy heat is not yet palpable.
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Holding Hands in 'The Alien Parasite Hypothesis'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 4, Episode 10
Original Airdate: Dec. 9, 2010
Amy poses an “experiment,” but feels nothing. That’ll change.
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First Kiss in 'The Agreement Dissection'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 4, Episode 21
Original Airdate: April 28, 2011
Dr. Fowler may be drunk, but it still marks a significant step forward in their relationship.
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Assigning Labels in 'The Flaming Spittoon Acquisition'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 5, Episode 10
Original Airdate: Nov. 17, 2011
Once opposed to labels, Sheldon gives in and offers Amy the chance to “alter the paradigm of their relationship.” They are hereby known as boyfriend and girlfriend.
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Amy Is a Princess in 'The Shiny Trinket Maneuver'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 5, Episode 12
Original Airdate: Jan. 12, 2012
“Ohhhhhhhhh, it’s a tiara! Put it on me! Put it on me!” Need we say more?
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Holding Hands (For Real) in 'The Countdown Reflection'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 5, Episode 24
Original Airdate: May 10, 2012
This time it’s no experiment. As he watches Howard journey towards outerspace, Sheldon reaches for his girlfriend’s hand and doesn’t let go.
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First Spanking in 'The Fish Guts Displacement'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 6, Episode 10
Original Airdate: Dec. 6, 2012
Dr. Fowler has been “a very bad girl,” and Dr. Cooper has no choice but to “punish” her.
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In Case of Emergency in 'The Tangible Affection Proof'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 6, Episode 16
Original Airdate: Feb. 14, 2013
Sheldon isn’t ready to move in with Amy, but he is willing to entrust her with his well-being should he fall violently ill at work. So, he makes her his emergency contact.
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First Roleplay in 'The Love Spell Potential'
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Season 6, Episode 23
Original Airdate: May 9, 2013
Who needs physical intimacy when you can partake in a cheeky game of Dungeons & Dragons?
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First Kiss (For Real) in 'The Locomotive Manipulation'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 7, Episode 15
Original Airdate: Feb. 6, 2014
Sheldon kisses a girl… and he likes it! Best. Valentine’s Day. Ever.
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First I Love You's in 'The Prom Equivalency'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 8, Episode 8
Original Airdate: Nov. 6, 2014
Sheldon isn’t ready for a certain prom-night tradition, but he is ready to tell Amy just how much she means to him.
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The Breakup in 'The Commitment Determination'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 8, Episode 24
Original Airdate: May 7, 2015
Convinced that their five-year relationship is going nowhere fast, Amy ends things altogether. Little does she know that Sheldon has an engagement ring sitting in his desk drawer.
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Amy Gets the Red Light in 'The Platonic Permutation'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 9, Episode 9
Original Airdate: Nov. 19, 2015
Sheldon tells Amy that he can’t bear the thought of having to get over her again, so he rejects her offer to resume dating.
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Kiss and Make Up in 'The Earworm Reverberation'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 9, Episode 10
Original Airdate: Dec. 10, 2015
The brainiac barges in on Amy’s date with Dave (sorry Dave!) and asks to be her boyfriend again.
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First Coitus in 'The Opening Night Excitation'
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS / Everett Collection Season 9, Episode 11
Original Airdate: Dec. 17, 2015
Sheldon and Amy have sex for the first time. Needless to say, this is one birthday Amy will never forget.
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First 'Sleepover' in 'The Cohabitation Experimentation'
Image Credit: HBO Max screenshot Season 10, Episode 4
Original Airdate: Oct. 10, 2016
After moving in together, Sheldon makes it impossible for Amy to sleep, before accidentally kicking her out of bed.
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The Art of Seduction in 'The Brain Bowl Incubation'
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Season 10, Episode 8
Original Airdate: Nov. 10, 2016
As hard as Sheldon is to resist, Amy is not willing to have children just for the sake of science.
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Princeton Proposal in 'The Long Distance Dissonance'
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Season 10, Episode 24
Original Airdate: May 11, 2017
Sheldon flies to cross country to propose to Amy. It doesn’t get much more romantic than that.
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Quickie Wedding Cancelled in 'The Confidence Erosion'
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Season 11, Episode 10
Original Airdate: Dec. 10, 2017
Sheldon realizes all that he and Amy would be giving up if they get hitched at City Hall, including a proper first dance as husband and wife.
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Saying 'I Do' in 'The Bow Tie Asymmetry'
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Season 11, Episode 24
Original Airdate: May 10, 2018
The longtime couple ties the knot in a ceremony officiated by Mark Hamill — but not before reaching a scientific breakthrough that’ll change the course of their lives.
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Nobel Prize Win in 'The Stockholm Syndrome'
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Season 12, Episode 24
Original Airdate: May 16, 2019
The marrieds’ breakthrough in super asymmetry lands them on stage in Stockholm, where Sheldon delivers a poignant, series-ending acceptance speech.
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Son's Name Revealed on Young Sheldon
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS Season 4, Episode 1
Original Airdate: Nov. 5, 2020
As the Cooper family gathered to commemorate Sheldon’s graduation from high school, Sheldon the Narrator (voiced by Jim Parsons) said that “it was the best graduation party I had been to… until we had one for my son, Leonard Cooper. I wanted his name to be Leonard Nimoy Cooper, but Amy wouldn’t let me,” he revealed. That’s when Mayim Bialik chimed in as Sheldon’s better half and said, “Be lucky I let you name him Leonard.” (For a running list of Young Sheldon Easter eggs, click here.)
