Grey's Anatomy: Callie & Arizona Relationship Timeline, Explained

Summary

• Callie and Arizona’s relationship on Grey’s Anatomy was full of ups and downs, spanning ten seasons of dating, breaking up, getting married, and even having a child together.
• Their story had a happy ending, with Callie and Arizona finally reconciling and getting married in season 7. But their relationship faced many obstacles along the way, including disagreements about having children and infidelity.
• After a custody battle over their daughter, Sofia, Callie eventually moved to New York, and in the season 14 finale, Arizona decided to join her to rekindle their relationship, giving their story a hopeful conclusion.

Grey’s Anatomy has had many epic romances throughout its long run, including the up-and-down relationship between Callie Torres and Arizona Robbins, played by Sara Ramirez and Jessica Capshaw. The two doctors met in season 5, when Arizona’s character was first introduced on the ABC medical drama television series, and the rest is history. Well, it was ten seasons of dating, breaking up, getting married, having a child together, breaking up again, and so on before they finally got their happy ending.

Following the Grey’s Anatomy season 14 finale, Ramirez and Capshaw were no longer on the show and have yet to return. However, their characters had ten seasons worth of stories to tell, and those episodes were full of drama that could last hundreds of lifetimes. The good news for fans of Callie and Arizona was that their story ended with them together, but it took a while for them to get to a (conclusive) happy place.

Season 5, Episode 11 – Episode 19

After Callie & Arizona Meet & Begin Dating

Callie showed up in Grey’s Anatomy season 2, episode 19. She was married to George, but the two ended up divorced when she learned that he was having an affair. It wasn’t until the fourth season that Callie began to explore her sexual orientation and date women. This led to Arizona’s first appearance, which was in Grey’s Anatomy season 5, episode 11. However, their meeting didn’t come until a few episodes later — “Beat Your Heart Out.”

Arizona comforted Callie in the bathroom at Emerald City Bar and surprisingly kissed her. However, Arizona ignored her at work since she believed Callie was inexperienced regarding relationships with women and was still figuring out her sexuality. They could not deny their attraction to one another for very long, though, and the two doctors began dating in episode 17 when Arizona asked Callie out on a date. While Callie isn’t sure if she wants to, Arizona convinces her to give it a try.

Season 5, Episode 20 – Season 6, Episode 3

Arizona Meets Callie’s Father & They Make Their Relationship Official

Callie’s father, Carlos Torres, visited her at the hospital in Grey’s Anatomy season 5, episode 20, and Callie told him that she was dating Arizona, essentially coming out to him. He reacted harshly to the news and refused to accept his daughter as she was. Carlos cut Callie off financially (by taking away her trust fund) and personally, which strained her relationship with Arizona. Thankfully, they came out on the other side stronger than ever.

Arizona was there for Callie when her ex-husband George died in the season 6 premiere. This was a tough moment because Callie was still holding onto her past when George died, and she took it hard. Arizona wasn’t pushy, and she let Callie grieve while being there for her. A few episodes later, Callie called Arizona her girlfriend, and this was the first moment they declared that they were a couple. Arizona told Callie she had to stay in Seattle to remain with her.

Season 6, Episode 4 – Episode 21

Callie & Arizona’s Relationship Grows But Faces Their First Obstacle When They Disagree About Having Children

Once Callie and Arizona became official at the beginning of Grey’s Anatomy season 6, their relationship continued to get stronger. For a time, the two had to deal with a lot of work and family drama. In “Invasion,” Callie’s dad even tries to force her to see a priest to convince her to become straight again. Arizona stuck by her side through it all. Unfortunately, they hit a rough patch when the topic of having children arose. Callie wanted to have kids, while Arizona was not interested in kids.

Callie had wanted to have children since she was married to George. The two had tried to get pregnant, but couldn’t before their divorce. When she mentioned this dream to Arizona, she was shocked to learn that she didn’t share those dreams and wanted no babies. The couple fought over their differing desires and ultimately broke up in episode 21 since they wanted different things. It was a sad moment, and it seemed this beautiful relationship had ended.

Season 6, Episode 22 – Season 7, Episode 6

Callie & Arizona’s Breakup Is Short-Lived

Although Callie and Arizona were broken up toward the end of Grey’s Anatomy season 6, it was clear that they still had feelings for one another, which was understandable, given how close they had become. The season 6 finale, which revolved around the notorious shooting at the hospital, featured Callie and Arizona getting back together.

Going through a tragedy together made them closer, and Arizona realized that being with Callie was the most important thing to her, so she reversed her stance on having children. Although Arizona was initially hesitant about having kids, she decided she would want that with Callie. At this moment, Callie said she would give up her dream of having kids if it meant being with Arizona, but that was all it took for Arizona to agree to have kids as long as they could be together. They later moved in together.

Season 7, Episode 7 – Episode 12

Callie Breaks Up With Arizona & Gets Pregnant With Mark’s Child

Callie and Arizona’s relationship over the course of the ABC medical drama series was a rollercoaster, and sadly, they broke up again in Grey’s Anatomy season 7, episode 7. Arizona received a grant to open a clinic in Africa, and Callie originally decided to join her abroad. However, Callie seemed to be going back and forth regarding the decision, so when they went to the airport, Arizona insisted she not come with her. Callie broke up with Arizona, who left for Africa.

While Arizona was gone, Callie was distraught over the breakup and slept with Mark Sloan. Arizona returned a few episodes later, but Callie wanted nothing to do with her. In Grey’s Anatomy season 7, episode 12, Callie revealed to her ex-girlfriend that she was pregnant with Mark’s baby, which surprised Arizona and seemed to ensure they wouldn’t get back together. However, their relationship wasn’t truly over yet.

Season 7, Episode 13 – Season 8, Episode 23

Callie & Arizona Reconcile & Get Married

After getting over the initial shock of Callie’s pregnancy, Arizona committed herself to Callie and the unborn baby. They got back together in Grey’s Anatomy season 7, episode 13, and decided to raise the baby together. While Callie and Arizona were in the car in episode 17, they got into a small fight about Mark and the baby, but the tension culminated in Arizona asking Callie to marry her. Before she could answer, a truck ran into their car, and Callie flew through the windshield.

The following hour, which was a musical episode, featured Callie fighting for her life. Thankfully, she survived following two major surgeries, but her baby had to be delivered prematurely. The episode had a happy ending, though, and Callie woke up to her daughter, Sofia, and told Arizona she would marry her. Callie and Arizona married in Grey’s Anatomy season 7, episode 20, in a ceremony officiated by Miranda Bailey, and Callie’s father finally accepted her when they danced together during the father-daughter dance at the reception.

Season 8, Episode 24 – Season 9, Episode 22

Callie Goes Against Arizona’s Wishes & Amputates Her Leg After The Plane Crash

After a full season of being married (and without any accidents), Arizona was involved in a tragic plane crash in the Grey’s Anatomy season 8 finale. Mark and Lexie died, while Arizona survived but suffered a horrific leg injury. In season 9, viewers learned that Callie made the tough decision to amputate Arizona’s leg after she arrived at the hospital because of an infection, which was against her wishes.

Arizona resented Callie for the loss of her leg, and the married couple went through another rough patch because of it. However, they were able to overcome this hurdle during season 9. It took most of the season, as Arizona was angry about losing her leg, and she felt helpless now that she had lost her leg, but she soon found her new place and became part of the board of directors at the Harper Avery Foundation. However, things don’t remain smooth between them by the time the season ends.

Season 9, Episode 23 – Season 10, Episode 8

Arizona Cheats On Callie & Their Marriage Becomes Strained

Unfortunately for Callie and Arizona, their problems kept on coming when Arizona cheated on her wife with Lauren Boswell in Grey’s Anatomy season 9, episode 23, which Callie found out about an episode later. Following the infidelity, their marriage obviously became strained. Arizona was still bitter about Callie deciding to amputate her leg, and Callie was just trying to save her marriage, so they tried therapy.

Callie ends up kicking Arizona out of their home in Grey’s Anatomy season 10, episode 5. While taking a break from their marriage, Callie decides to move in with Derek and Meredith, and she helps them take care of their newborn baby. The therapy goes bad when Callie walks out on a session, but then they start to realize they are both being stubborn. Arizona starts sleeping with Leah Murphy after this, but she breaks it off when she realizes it is Callie that she loves.

Season 10, Episode 9 – Season 11, Episode 5

Arizona Moves Back Home But Callie Later Asks For A Divorce

After learning that her father cheated on her mother, and they worked out their differences, Callie decides to give Arizona a second chance and tells her to come back home in Grey’s Anatomy season 10, episode 9. But their relationship was an endless cycle of ups and downs, and they ran into trouble again in later episodes. They had difficulty having a second child, and the tension reached an all-time high in season 11, so they tried marriage counseling once again.

Callie and Arizona’s therapist recommended they go 30 days living separate lives (while still residing in the same house, of course). By the end of the month, Arizona was ready to reconnect with her wife, while Callie realized she was better off alone. Callie asked for a divorce in Grey’s Anatomy season 11, episode 5, effectively ending their relationship after multiple seasons of back and forth.

Season 11, Episode 6 – Season 12, Episode 18

Callie Starts Dating Penny Blake

Following their divorce, Callie and Arizona go their own ways at the hospital. Callie goes full speed into helping with the Veterans’ project while Arizona starts trying to impress her bosses at work. That leads them to take a step back in the cast for the rest of the season, as their story had ended, at least for the time being. However, they ended up back in the main plots when season 12 rolled around.

Callie started dating Penny Blake in season 12, the doctor who didn’t order a CT for Derek Shepherd in Grey’s Anatomy season 11, which ultimately led to his death. This causes some tension between Callie and Meredith Grey, but Callie and Penny continue to date. When Penny got a chance to move to New York for one year, Callie followed her with daughter Sophia – without Arizona’s consent. This action causes Arizona to hire an attorney and fight for custody of their child.

Season 12, Episode 19 – Season 12, Episode 24

Callie & Arizona Engage In A Custody Battle Over Sofia Before Callie Moves To New York

Penny received a job offer in New York thanks to the grant she won, which she intended to take near the end of Grey’s Anatomy season 12. Callie decided she wanted to join her girlfriend across the country, but that became complicated because of Sofia. Of course, Callie wanted to take Sofia to New York, while Arizona wanted to keep their daughter in Seattle with her. As a result, the divorced couple hired lawyers and battled for custody of Sofia.

They went to court, and the judge ruled in Arizona’s favor. Feeling bad for Callie, Arizona agrees to share custody of Sofia, and Callie moves to New York in Grey’s Anatomy season 12, episode 24. The two women were still fighting over how the custody could go, but Arizona was the bigger person. She said that even though she won the case, Sofia deserved to have two happy mothers and that they would share custody. This was Callie’s final appearance on Grey’s Anatomy.

Season 14, Episode 24

Callie Leaves & Arizona Decides To Join Her In New York To Rekindle Their Relationship

Since Sara Ramirez’s last Grey’s Anatomy appearance was in the season 12 finale, there was little to no movement in her and Arizona’s relationship in season 13. However, when Jessica Capshaw decided to leave the ABC medical drama show in season 14, the writers decided to give the couple a happy ending. During the Grey’s Anatomy season 14 finale, Arizona moved to New York to be closer to Callie and Sofia, and it was implied that Callie and Penny broke up, which opened the door for Callie and Arizona to reconcile.