On a Singularly Special Day for Her Family, Young & Restless’ Melissa Ordway Marvels That ‘God’s Timing Is Perfect,’ Adding, ‘I’ve Cried Lots of Happy Tears’

Melissa Ordway abby gallery "The Young and the Restless" Set WeddingCBS television CityLos Angeles11/25/20© Howard Wise/jpistudios.com310-657-9661

Credit: Howard Wise/JPI

The sun is shining a little brighter than usual over their household today.

This was the biggest of big weeks for Young & Restless leading lady Melissa Ordway, husband Justin Gaston and their daughters, Olivia, 5, and Sophie, 4. It all started on February 25, the actress explained on Instagram.

As the family drew ever closer to Olivia’s Coronation Day — the day that she was adopted by the couple — Mom wrote, “I’ve cried lots of happy tears this morning. What a way to start Olivia’s Coronation Day weekend.

“Her whole school sang her ‘Happy Coronation Day,’” she continued. “Then, Olivia was named Student of the Month for her character and for being most improved.”

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Needless to say, Mom and Dad were delighted. “We could not be more proud of how hard she’s worked and how kind she is,” said Abby’s portrayer.

By the way, it was strictly a coincidence that Olivia was singled out as a shining star just as she was coming up on the anniversary of her adoption. “Coronation Day and Student of the Month were serendipitous,” said Ordway. “Her teacher had no idea it was her ‘gotcha day’ when she decided to give her the award.

“But,” she added, “God’s timing is perfect. Thank you to our incredible school community for making Olivia feel so loved. We are beyond grateful for you all!”

On this happy occasion, celebrate Olivia with a look back at her life in pictures in this time warp of an article. Then trace the path Ordway and Gaston followed to real love in the photo gallery below.

ordway-gaston-romance-relationship-timeline-mashup

NASHVILLE STAR, Contestant Justin Gaston, (Season 6, episode 3, aired June 23, 2008), 2003-09, photo: John Russell / © Reveille Prod. / courtesy Everett Collection

1/10

Before Melissa Ordway and Justin Gaston had even been in the same room together, she knew who he was, thanks to her mom. Back in 2010, she “called and said, ‘Watch American Idol,”” the actress told <a href="https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/yrs-justin-gaston-and-melissa-ordway-guest-on-digests-podcast/" target="_blank">Dishing With Digest</a> in 2010. “‘There is the most beautiful man ever performing!’” That man? Of course it was Gaston, who had gone from modeling skivvies for International Jock to appearing on talent shows like American Idol, If I Can Dream and Nashville Star (pictured).

2/10

Ordway and Gaston finally crossed paths a year later, when they auditioned for the thriller Escapee starring Prison Break’s Dominic Purcell. After awkwardly introducing herself to her future husband, “we did the screen test” together, she told <a href="https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/yrs-justin-gaston-and-melissa-ordway-guest-on-digests-podcast/" target="_blank">Soap Opera Digest</a>. Not only did they both get cast, they “were inseparable ever since.” Not that Ordway made it easy for Gaston.

Melissa Ordway,Justin Gaston, inside for Fashion''s Night Out Celebration in LA, Beverly Center, Los Angeles, CA September 6, 2012. Photo By: Emiley Schweich/Everett Collection

Melissa Ordway"The Young and the Restless" Set Wedding CBS television CityLos Angeles11/19/15¬© Sean Smith/jpistudios.com310-657-9661

4/10

When Ordway and Gaston tied the knot on September 22, 2012, there was just the teensiest hitch: “We forget to pack his tux pants,” Ordway told Digest. If their neighbors hadn’t been able to bring him the right slacks, the couple’s metaphorical britches could have ended up in a bunch. Their only other option was to have the groom wear a pair of sorta parachute pants that his brother-in-law kept suggesting. (By the way, this is actually Ordway as Abby at her and Stitch’s wedding, in case the gown looks familiar.)

Melissa Ordway, Justin Gaston, Olivia Christine GastonTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Celebrate Their 11,000th EpisodeStage 41 CBS-Television CityLos Angeles, CA9/8/16 © Howard Wise/jpistudios.com/jpistudios.com310-657-9661

Melissa Ordway, Sophie Gaston, Justin Gaston, Marla Adams, Michael Mealor attends The Young and the Restless Cast at the 2018 Walk to End Alzheimers at the The Los Angeles Zoo in Los Angeles, CA on November 3, 2018© Jill Johnson/jpistudios.com310-657-9661

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“Christmas came early in the Gaston house!” Ordway cheered in 2017 — that was because on December 9, Olivia’s baby sister, Sophie Jolie, made her “presents” known. “Today we were supposed to be having my baby shower,” Mom Instagrammed a week later. “But instead, I get to hold my precious angels and shower them with love.” (Pictured is Sophie in 2018 with Ordway’s former Genoa City family, Marla Adams, who played Dina, and Michael Mealor, who played Kyle.)

Melissa Ordway, Justin Gaston,Olivia Gaston, Sophie Gaston Kelly Krugers Baby Shower at a Private Residence in Los Angeles, California on July 13, 2019© Jill Johnson/jpistudios.com310-657-9661

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Unlike so many soap siblings, Ordway and Gaston’s daughters are anything but rivals. As Mom has said, “Nothing [is] sweeter than seeing the love my baby girls share.” She and Gaston have also been able to marvel at the ways that their personalities are manifesting themselves. “Olivia is 5 years old and wants to be a doctor, dentist and singer,” Ordway reported over social media in 2021. “Sophie is 3 years old and wants to be a dentist.” May they always have a reason to flash the magnificent smiles they’re sure to have!

Melissa Ordway, Justin Gaston"The Young and the Restless" Set WeddingCBS television CityLos Angeles11/05/20© Howard Wise/jpistudios.com310-657-9661

9/10

There wasn’t a whole lot of acting required for Gaston to play Young & Restless’ besotted Chance when he stepped in for Donny Boaz at the character’s wedding to Abby. “You’re up in front of people, and there’s a rush of adrenaline that you don’t have to [fake],” he told Digest. “It is like being at your real wedding. The moment kind of creates itself.” That said, “I was a little nervous,” Ordway admitted, “because we hadn’t acted together in so long. The first scene was a little shaky.”

Melissa Ordway, Justin Gaston"Days Of Our Lives" Kate Mansi Teams with Charity:Water for a One of a Kind Birthday BashBootsy Bellows NightclubLos Angeles, CA9/21/13 © Jill Johnson/jpistudios.com310-657-9661

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On a Singularly Special Day for Her Family, Young & Restless’ Melissa Ordway Marvels That ‘God’s Timing Is Perfect,’ Adding, ‘I’ve Cried Lots of Happy Tears’

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<p>What’s next for Ordway and Gaston? We can only hope for more of the same: laughter, love and — dare we hope? — another opportunity to be one another’s leading man/lady on screen as well as off.</p>

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