This post marks the start of #RelationshipWeek here at XOXOMAKE! I wanted to take cue from Valentines and showcase couples who are making it work, who are in a healthy relationship and want to tell their story and advices to you! Real relationships, their good, their flaws and their love.

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First introduce yourselves:

Hi! Emily and Brett Green here. We met our junior year of college at Appalachian State University through some mutual friends. Brett is 26 and I am 25, and we are both teachers. When we first met, I distinctly remember telling my best friend that there wasn’t a chance I’d date him. Lo and behold, we started dating the beginning of our senior year. We followed each other after college to two different towns. Two and a half years later we got engaged, and were married last June!

What do you love most about each other?

Brett: I love how driven Emily is. Even though that makes me mad sometimes. No matter what she does, she gives her whole heart to it.

Emily: 5 years and Brett is still surprising me with different parts of his personality. He’ll say sweet things when I least expect it, or do something completely hilarious that I had no idea he would do. He’ll act like a kid and then be a grown man within 5 minutes of each other.

What annoys you most about each other?

Brett:  Emily’s messy.

Emily: He says he doesn’t do this, but he can use a certain tone of voice with me that just make me quick to be jumpy every time.

What is your favorite activity to do together?

We love to relax. We’re both simple people- we’re big fans of time spent in together. Whether it be watching sports, or movies, or tv, or listening to music. We’re pretty content with that.

What is something the other does that just melts your heart?

Brett: When Emily does simple, small, caring gestures, at just the right time.

Emily: When Brett laughs at me- I just love it. I know that sounds weird, but I feel like that just shows that he appreciates me and my personality. That it brings him joy.

Do you have an OK-list (where you are free to hook up with X celebrity)?

Most definitely:) If Luke Kuechly (Panther’s middle linebacker) showed up at my door, Brett would be out the door. Likewise, if Carrie Underwood came around, I’d be a goner.

Do you remember your first fight?

We honestly can’t say that we do. There have been quite a few over the years 🙂

Did you ever break up? If yes, how did you get back together?

We’re proud to say we never did. I (Emily) had relationships like that before, with lots of mini breaks, and we tried our best to avoid that.

Have you had any problems? If so, how did you overcome it?

Oh yes. We’re both incredibly stubborn. Fights are a natural part of our relationship. A lot of learning to deal with that was learning how we handle things individually. Brett likes to work through it, and I need my space. We’ve learned to compromise often. He’s forced me to talk when I haven’t wanted to, and I’ve shown him how cooling off can sometimes help. We still battle that, just the act of communicating efficiently, but Brett is the only boy that has ever made me laugh in the middle of an argument. It’s one of the many reasons that let me know he was it for me.

How do you feel about your future together?

Excited? Anxious? In awe? So many feelings for this. We know our future is our entire lives. Literally. The potential and the comfort and the assuredness in that- it’s just flat out awesome.

What is your advice to other couples?

Emily: Individuality within the relationship is one of the most important things. Brett and I have our activities that we like to do on our own. We have groups of friends that we take trips with. We get our alone time, and were independent adults before we moved on with our life together. That was one of the greatest blessings, because when we were ready to “tie the knot,” we were truly ready- we were satisfied with life independently and knew that being together would only make it better.

Brett: Emily let’s me be myself. No other girl would let me watch Nascar or play Golf as often as I do, and I feel I do the same for her. You’re going to naturally change a relationship, but don’t force them to be who you want.

What is your advice to single people who think they won’t find someone?

Please, please, please don’t give up hope! Don’t put pressure on yourself. Both of us were not looking for something when we started to hang out. Emily was intentionally wanting to be single. You’ve just got to trust timing, it’ll happen. Just live your life to the fullest, and be the best and happiest you for when you meet them!


 

Emily @ darlingdearestblog

COUPLES

 

First introduce yourselves:

ArmandoMy name is Armando; I am 27 years old and a Software Engineer (Fancy title for Web Developer). We were friends for a few years before we started dating, but I believe our very first interaction was through Myspace. Is that even still a thing?

Tianna: I’m Tianna and I’m 26 years old. We “met” on MySpace and both lived in towns near one another so decided to meet up. We started dating officially when we were both about 20. We both had an interest in film and theater so that’s what began our friendship. Also, a mutual love for Heroes (the TV show).

What do you love most about each other?

Armando: Her stubbornness, optimistic outlook on life and quirkiness, I would say. I also like that we can have the most fun doing absolutely nothing but watch Netflix all weekend, then spontaneously decide to drive out to the beach for sushi and ice cream…then immediately regret not staying home, ordering take out and watching movies on Netflix. That last part though is remedied by listening to music of our youth while sitting in California traffic for-freaking-ever.

Tianna: His sense of humor, vast amount of knowledge, keen observational eye, compassionate heart, and modest personality. I love that we have fun together even if we’re doing nothing and that after almost 8 years, he still makes me laugh every single day. I think that’s so important and vital to happiness in any relationship.

What annoys you most about each other?

Armando: I would say her stubbornness, optimistic outlook on life and quirkiness, ironically.  😉 Sometimes I just want to sit and fester in my irrational fears and doubts but she absolutely will not let me.

Tianna: The fact that he’s such a freaking Ravenclaw! He can be a bit of a know-it-all. Also, I hate how long he takes to do the dishes and the fact that nothing ever seems to bother him when it bothers me LOL.

What is your favorite activity to do together?

Armando: Currently it’s sitting on our couch with our dog watching our shows; it’s also fun to drive around the city at night listening to Fall out Boy and Panic at The Disco, like we’re 16 again.

Tianna: I really like staying at home watching Netflix, bringing various stories to life whether writing or filming, and exploring new places together. Also, Disneyland. There’s nothing like seeing your boyfriend turn into a kid again.

What is something the other does that just melts your heart?

Armando: Pretty much every time she smiles.

Tianna: Any time he makes me laugh or does something ridiculous. I love when he tries to rationalize something that’s totally ludicrous. Like when he doesn’t want to go out, he will give me a list of reasons that are so dumb, but it’s funny. I love that.

Do you have an OK-list (where you are free to hook up with X celebrity)?

Armando: I don’t think so? But if I found out she had a fling with Jared Leto or Channing Tatum I would totally understand.

Tianna: Honestly, I think celebrities are attractive, but I don’t know them. The only ones I may consider are Joseph Gilgun and Cillian Murphy. and if Zachary Quinto was straight, but alas…

Do you remember your first fight?

Armando: The first fight I remember is about clothing hangers…pretty uneventful.

Tianna: Sorry, now I’m too busy being embarrassed about the clothing hangers fight LOL…

Did you ever break up? If yes, how did you get back together?

Armando: Nope. I think I did something stupid once and got close, but nothing “official” was said.

Tianna: No. We got close once, but we talked it out.

Have you had any problems? If so, how did you overcome it?

Armando: I have a plethora of problems, about 99 of them. But she isn’t one of them. I think every relationship has problems without about 1,000 solutions. Part of the fun of a relationship is figuring them out together. I believe every problem can be figured out if two people work together to find a solution.

Tianna: I’ve had my own personal problems, but none of them have been Armando. I think the one thing people are not always aware of is that many so-called relationship problems stem from ourselves. In a lot of cases, it’s actually an issue we are having, not an issue with the relationship.

How do you feel about your future together?

Armando: I try not to think about the future, sometimes I over analyze it and that adversely affects my decisions in the present. What I can say is that right now I’m deeply and unquestionably in love with the coolest woman I’ve ever met.

Tianna: I’m not too worried about it. If we stay together, then that’s amazing, you know? Right now, I’m very happy. I try to stay in the present.

What is your advice to other couples?

Armando: Being in a relationship with your significant other is like the friendship between Frodo and Sam. Even though it was Frodo’s responsibility to destroy the one ring and bear the weight of it, Sam was right there – protecting him, supporting him and fighting alongside him, even when the odds were against them. In a relationship, you’re going to be both Frodo and Sam several times over. Always remember, you’re never alone – and Second Breakfast is a glorious thing.

Tianna: I can’t believe he compared our relationship to LOTR haha. I would say that laughing is one of the most important things and make sure you’re with someone who is your friend as well as your partner and whom you have mutual interests. In the past, I dated guys who I would never be friends with and that says a lot about those relationships. Also, compromise is everything and when you can’t compromise, the best thing to do is take a breath and agree to disagree. Not every fight is worth fighting to be right. Sometimes it’s better to just let it go. Also, good food.

What is your advice to single people who think they won’t find someone?

Armando: Just be yourself. It’s easier to showcase and own your weird ticks and awkwardness to someone, than having to explain it later.

Tianna: Be yourself and love yourself right now. When I was single, I was always worried about finding someone and the truth is that it’s just as important to love and work on yourself as it is to find a great person to be in a relationship with. Also, enjoy being single! It’s fun to be able to go anywhere and do anything with your friends without consulting anyone LOL.


 

Tianna @ storybookapothecary

k

First introduce yourselves:

Kayla: My name is Kayla and I’m 20 years old! Ryan and I met 4 years ago through a mutual friend. (You can read the whole story on my blog… it’s a long one!)

Ryan: My name is Ryan and I’m 25 years old.

What do you love most about each other?

Kayla: I love how selfless Ryan is 99% of the time. He will absolutely do anything for the people he cares about. His sense of humor isn’t so bad, either.

Ryan: Kayla always puts us first. She’s goal orientated and has a strong moral compass. She helps me whenever I’m in doubt!

What annoys you most about each other?

Kayla: Ryan knows what he wants and is sometimes very stubborn about it. It’s both a good and bad thing, I guess!

Ryan: Kayla’s diet matches that of a five-year-old. No fruits or vegetables.

What is your favorite activity to do together?

Kayla: My favorite thing to do together is to travel and explore new places. And go to the movies. Can’t forget the movies.

Ryan: I love going to the movies together. We see a couple movies a month (all genres except horror, Kayla’s a scaredy cat). I also like working out together!

What is something the other does that just melts your heart?

Kayla: When he rubs my back or plays with my hair absentmindedly. Or when he grabs my hand while he’s driving.

Ryan: When she needs me.

Do you have an OK-list (where you are free to hook up with X celebrity)?

Kayla: He knows I have a few celebrity crushes but I don’t think we have a set “list”!

Ryan: I have two celeb crushes and Kayla is ok with it because she thinks I have no chance.

Do you remember your first fight?

Kayla: I don’t think so. We rarely ever fight.

Ryan: I can’t remember the first fight just as much as I can’t remember the last.

Did you ever break up? If yes, how did you get back together?

Kayla: The beginning of our relationship was complicated and was sort of a “forbidden love” kind of thing. He tried to break things off with me (even though he didn’t want to) early in the relationship in order to protect me. As you can see, that didn’t work very well. 😉

Ryan: What she said!

Have you had any problems? If so, how did you overcome it?

Kayla: Our biggest problem has always revolved around being long-distance. Ryan travels for work so sometimes we have to go months without seeing each other. It’s not easy, but the way we get around it is to make sure we are always open and honest with each other about how we’re feeling. We also try to to talk on the phone or FaceTime at least once a day which helps a lot!

Ryan: Time has allowed us to overcome some of those distance problems. Most recently we were able to live together during the summer when I was working. It was a fun summer in Pittsburgh!

How do you feel about your future together?

Kayla: I feel confident that we’ll be together for a long time!

Ryan: It gets better every day!

What is your advice to other couples?

Kayla: Listen to each other and be sure to value the time you get to spend together

Ryan: Be honest with your feelings and up-front about your expectations. Miscommunication and dishonesty lead to fighting, fighting leads to resentment, and resentment leads to lost love.

What is your advice to single people who think they won’t find someone?

Kayla: I met Ryan when I least expected it and we’ve been together ever since. Love can be found in the weirdest of places so don’t give up hope!

Ryan: Get out of your comfort zone. Risk a friendship for a relationship because nothing is better than dating your best friend.


 

Kayla @ kaylablogs

jb

First introduce yourselves:

I’m Jillian, the 18-year-old girl behind justgigifashion.com, and my boyfriend Brandon is 19. We met in October of 2014 at a concert that we went to with mutual friends! We are currently in a long distance relationship.

What do you love most about each other?

We both love that we can be ourselves around each other and we think that is so important in any relationship. It’s so easy to love someone that is truly themselves, honest, and caring. We understand each other’s situations (like if one of us has a hard day) and can show compassion to one another during tough times. This is especially important in a long distance relationship!

What annoys you most about each other?

Jillian: I personally get annoyed sometimes when he is goofing off instead of being serious. He’s very silly and I love that about him but sometimes he over does it.

Brandon: Jillian is very stubborn and it’s hard to deal with sometimes, but I love her so I always try to help her through whatever is going on.

What is your favorite activity to do together?

We are huge nerds. We love playing video games and binge watching documentaries. But, we also love adventuring. The best part is just spending quality time together.

What is something the other does that just melts your heart?

Brandon: Random motivational texts. Those always make my day.

Jillian: When he surprises me! When we were in high school he brought me roses and macarons after a really tough day.

Do you have an OK-list (where you are free to hook up with X celebrity)?

Nope! We are really dedicated to each other and feel like it’s pointless to have a list like that. Plus, we are not big on celebrity culture.

Do you remember your first fight?

We bicker more than fight. If we are bickering we usually just step away from the situation for a bit to calm down, and then come back to it a few hours later.

Did you ever break up? If yes, how did you get back together?

No.

Have you had any problems? If so, how did you overcome it?

Long distance is hard at times, especially when we first started. It took a lot of growth and strength to get through the first leg of it, being we are freshman in college. We just overcame it by trying to be there for each other whether that was through Facetime calls or random nice text messages. It’s hard every day but you have to keep busy and just know you will see your significant other again eventually.

How do you feel about your future together?

Optimistic. We fully believe we will be together years from now.

What is your advice to other couples?

Brandon: You make it what you want to. Both parties have to be on the same page whether you are able to be together every day or can only see each other once in a while.

Jillian: If it feels right, then you just have to have confidence in it and take it one day at a time.

What is your advice to single people who think they won’t find someone?

Brandon: Don’t force it. Sometimes, people come into your life when you’re not even looking.

Jillian: Don’t rush into a relationship if it doesn’t feel right. You absolutely will 100% find your someone, but it won’t necessarily happen overnight. I’ve been through numerous heartbreaks before, so I know how it is to feel like you will never ever find someone to love, but it is so worth the wait.


Jillian @ justgigfashion

c2A

First introduce yourselves:

Our names are Adam (22) and Claudia (21). We’ve been engaged for one year and together for two and we met at the gym.

What do you love most about each other?

Adam: Her kind heart.

Claudia: That he’s my best friend.

What annoys you most about each other?

Adam: When she wakes me up in the middle of the night.

Claudia: Sometimes he can be quite forgetful.

What is your favorite activity to do together?

Adam: I love going to the movies, having dinner and going for walks together.

Claudia: Anything and everything; he even makes grocery shopping fun.

What is something the other does that just melts your heart? 

Adam: How affectionate she is.

Claudia: When I wake up next to him and he snuggles me in his sleep.

 Do you have an OK-list (where you are free to hook up with X celebrity)?

Both: Haha, no.

Do you remember your first fight?

Both: We haven’t had one.

Did you ever break up? If yes, how did you get back together?

Both: Nope.

 Have you had any problems? If so, how did you overcome it?

Both: We don’t tend to have problems because we’re too busy focused on each other instead of ourselves. We also have great communication.

How do you feel about your future together?

Adam: ‘Til death do us part.

Claudia: I can’t wait!

What is your advice to other couples?

Both: We live a Christ centred relationship. We think that is one of the biggest reasons that we work so well together because we try to keep to the bible’s model of what a relationship should be.

What is your advice to single people who think they won’t find someone?

Adam: Be confident and genuine. Both guys and girls are attracted to honest and confident (not arrogant) people. If you are single and looking for someone this is the greatest advice I could give.

Claudia: Learn to love and be comfortable with yourself instead of relying on other people. Learn to create your own happiness and the rest will come.

 


Claudia @ todreamtolovetolive

Thank you all the beautiful couples for participating, part 2 coming soon!

What did you think of the interviews?

XO,

Natalia

XO,

About Natalia

Just a regular girl that obsesses way too much over all things beauty, fashion, books, media and lifestyle.