Nicole Richie has come a long way from the party-girl who drove the wrong way on the highway in December to an articulate, mature mama-to-be.
And she has Joel Madden to thank for that! After casually emailing since 2006, the couple got together shortly after Joel broke up with Hilary Duff.
A close pal tell US Magazine that “[Nicole] said she liked how he was a ‘good mama’s boy’ in a bad boy body.”
“He took her from that dark path she was heading toward and turned her around into a truly responsible person.”
According to the Hollyscoop, “Joel even recites Bible passages to Nicole on a regular basis.”
While those gossipy magazines are normally wrong, I do think they hit this one on the money: dating Joel has been really good for Nicole.

i love joel i’ve met him a few times. he is so sweet and is going to be a WONDERFUL father.
I’ve met Joel a couple of times as well. He is funny and flirty and very, very nice. I can’t wait to see the baby. He/she is going to be just as adorable as Joel is.
I truly think Joel has changed Nicole for the better. I wasn’t too happy when I heard they had hooked up because I believed all the media hype about her but I do believe she is a good person now and will be a good mom.