While it's true that everyone's relationship is incredibly unique and operates in its own special way - it's clear that there are some tried and tested tips that can help make the romance last.
From something as simple as regular date nights to more general practices like good communication, honesty and emotional support - there are a bunch of fairly common things that spouses do to make a marriage last for the long-haul.
However, one woman has offered some slightly alternative advice after revealing her secret to a happy marriage is living in a separate house to her husband.
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Now, while it's somewhat more common to opt for separate bathrooms within the household or even separate bedrooms - one Brooklyn woman has decided to reside in an entirely different residence to her husband.
Bianca Turetsky, 43, and Dr. Peter Bach, 58, first got hitched back in September 2021 and have broken tradition after decided to stay in their own respective abodes.
Turetsky, an author, lives with her cat flatmate Cleo in the same apartment she has lived in for a decade, while Bach has continued to stay at the home he shares with his teenage son.
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In an essay published by Today last week (7 June), Turetsky explained the importance of having her 'own life' before tying the knot.
She wrote: "Saying 'I do' for the first time at age 42 meant having my own life built already.
"Following the traditional playbook wasn’t going to make anyone happy. Why did we have to live by old conventions? Why couldn’t we make it up as we went along? Who says what a good marriage should look like?"
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Turetsky recalled the first moment when she realised she wouldn't be able to live with Bach or his son after finding out about his allergies to cats.
"I soon learned that both Peter and his then teenage son are severely allergic to cats. Like the throat-closing-up kind of allergies," she continued.
"[Cleo] would never be able to be a part of a home with him, and I had no plans to have a life without her — no wedding ring was worth giving her up."
However, when Bach's son finally flew the nest for college, the pair continued to still live separately.
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Turetsky and Bach will spend a few nights a week at the other's place before going back to their respective homes for some alone time in their own space.
"Most people we tell about our unusual living situation move pretty quickly from surprise to curiosity to, in some cases, a little envy," she stated.
The woman explained she's mastered the regular pilgrimage she takes from her apartment to her hubby's home: "I can do the 38-minute commute in my sleep.
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"Transfer from the 1 to the 2 express at 14th St. I know the right car to get on to minimise platform time."
Due to the somewhat lengthy commute, Turetsky highlighted that she and Bach cherish every moment together.
She said: "We’ve been together for almost six years now and yet a mundane weekday evening still feels like a date."
While Bach is currently looking for a new place 'few subway stops closer' to Turetsky, the pair still have no plans to permanently move in together.
"I think this living arrangement is the secret to our happiness," Turetsky concluded. "It’s become a cliche that the secret to a happy marriage is separate bathrooms. We’ve settled on separate boroughs.
"This is not what I expected marriage to look like. It’s so much better."
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Life, Real Life
Rhiannon Ingle