Today Marks Exactly 15 Years Since Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake Covered Our Hearts In Denim

Once upon a time, around the millennium, two Mousketeers were in love and on top of the pop culture world. We adored them, they made music that consistently topped TRL voting, and everything was right in the world. Few power couples were as strong as this union. For Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears were bonded by a lifetime together in show business and a love of high-quality denim:

The “Denim Date,” as it’s come to be known, was carved into the marble of public consciousness 15 years ago today. This cultural artifact, birthed from a visit to the 2001 American Music Awards, is still touching people today. A simple Twitter search shows that even 15 years later, many still reference the iconic moment:

— funk master flex (@fiercesnap_werk) December 7, 2015

I dont know if I like this more because of the cuteness or because it reminds me of Justin Timberlake's denim suit https://t.co/sk2vISp6FZ

— Miss Mariss (@MarissaWaterloo) December 17, 2015

Think about how different the world would be if more followed in the tough-yet-soft path of Justin and Britney:

— Jennifer Tepper (@jenashtep) January 8, 2016

imagine how less threatening Isis would seem if they only wore denim. I wouldn't be terrified of 2002 Justin timberlake and Britney Spears

— jess (@Mikeswagowski) December 14, 2015

Yes, people that used to be kids and teens rushed home from school 15 years ago today to catch awards on the family’s tube TV. And they are really feeling it:

— Sunny J (@outcastumma206) January 8, 2016

Could the denim date only have happened in 2000 In a time when celebrities were able to be themselves, and capture the imagination of a nation/world with coordinated jean everything Maybe. For now, let’s raise a glass to the Denim Date. May it never die.