Finding love is a dream many seek to make come true. Sometimes it takes time, and sometimes it comes at the most unexpected moment.

But the truth is that every minute of waiting is worth it. This was Vin Diesel’s opinion, who, after achieving and enjoying professional success, dreamed of finding the love of his life and starting a family.

At Bright Side, we were inspired by Vin Diesel’s search for love and his current facet as a happy and fulfilled man next to a woman who changed his life and gave him three beautiful children.

His inspiration for starting a family

After enjoying The Fast and The Furious franchise’s success and adrenaline rush, Vin Diesel took a break from fast cars to star in the family comedy The Pacifier. Since he worked with 5 children, he suddenly felt the call to become a dad. “It really started to bring out this desire to have a child,” he said. However, he also dreamed of finding love.

The wait was worth it.

The actor confessed it took him many years to find the love of his life and be mature enough to become a father until, on the least expected day, he met a Mexican model he fell for from the moment they met. Her name is Paloma Jimenez, and she was born in Acapulco, Guerrero.

Paloma began her modeling career in Mexico and appeared in ads and campaigns for some of the world’s best-known brands. She also did photo shoots for various agencies before moving to the United States in search of better opportunities.

Vin and Paloma have been together since 2007, but preferred to keep their relationship a secret. “I’m not gonna put it out there on a magazine cover like some other actors,” Diesel once said of their wish to keep his life private. “I come from the Harrison Ford, Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino code of silence.”

The actor is 16 years older than the model, and he has only good things to say about their relationship. He called Paloma his “Mayan Queen” in 2014 when he shared a photo of her cradling their son on Instagram. “There is no greater gift to a man than a loving mother for his children,” he said.

The best advice from a great friend

Within a year of dating, Diesel and Jimenez had their first baby, but there’s a cute anecdote from before the little girl was born. It turns out that Diesel was filming The Fast and The Furious 4 back in 2008, just as his girlfriend was preparing to give birth. The actor was torn between his personal and professional obligations until Paul Walker gave him some great advice.

“I had a secret,” Diesel recalls, “I wasn’t telling anyone in the world that my daughter was about to be born.” Paul realized something was bothering his friend and asked him what was happening. Diesel finally revealed it to him. “I’ll never forget what he said to me. He told me, ’Vin, go into the hospital room and cut the umbilical cord. It’s going to be the best day of your life.’”

The good news is that Diesel followed his friend’s advice to the letter. But before he did, he still had some doubts. “I said to Paul, ’You know, should I be in the delivery room, or how is that going to work?’” And he says to me, “You know, a lot of guys will tell you, ’Don’t do it…you can’t take it…you’ll never look at the girl the same way,’ [but] it’s the best thing you’ll ever do in your life,” Walker advised.

“[I did] everything but get her out, literally. I cut the umbilical cord. I was more present than I could have ever dreamed of, but the bond that that allowed with my daughter was priceless.” The actor took to Facebook to share Walker’s influence on his journey to becoming a dad: “He was an important part of my transition to fatherhood,” he wrote.

The realization of his dream of becoming a father

Vin and Paloma named their first daughter, Hania Riley Sinclair, born on April 2, 2008. She almost always accompanies her parents to movie premieres and red carpet appearances. Two years later, Vincent Sinclair was born, who made his film debut in The Fast and The Furious 9, playing the younger version of Dominic Toretto, a character his father has played throughout the saga.

Finally, on March 16, 2015, Vin and Paloma had a baby girl they named Pauline Sinclair in honor of Paul Walker. Vin explained that it was a way to keep his memory as part of his family and world. The day the little girl was born, Diesel sensed Paul was there. “He was in the room,” he recalled, “I wasn’t thinking about anyone else as I cut the umbilical cord. I just…knew he was there.”

The most important thing in the world is family

Not only is that Dominic Toretto’s catchphrase, but in real life, Vin Diesel considers his family his priority number one and goes out of his way for his three children. He is very proud of them and does not hesitate to take them to the red carpets to enjoy a good movie.

Evan Agostini / Invision / AP / East News, Paul A. Hebert / Invision / AP / East News

Although the couple is very careful about their privacy, Vin Diesel raves about Paloma every chance he gets. “I’m speechless. She’s so breathtakingly beautiful. She’s my rock. She’s so stunningly beautiful on the inside,” Diesel said. He added, “Paloma is everything. She’s the perfect mother. She’s wonderful in so many ways.”

In addition, the actor stated that he prefers to go on dates with her in Europe because he is not so easily recognized there. He believes that relationships between celebrities are crazy. “People going through your trash, taking your photo at Starbucks, mashing up your last names into a Bennifer-style punch line.”

Undoubtedly, this couple is one of Hollywood’s most beautiful and beloved. What is your love story?