The 2 Words That Kristen Bell Believes Are Essential for a Happy Marriage

As they approach their decade-long anniversary, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have been candid about the challenges they face in their marriage. Despite their differences, the couple’s unwavering commitment to one another has propelled them forward. Rather than succumbing to the obstacles they’ve encountered, Bell and Shepard have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of happiness. In this article, we’ll explore the secrets behind their enduring love and the strategies they employ to navigate the ups and downs of married life.

They never remember their anniversary.

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell’s marital union dates back to 2013, although the specifics of their anniversary remain elusive. In a 2019 Instagram post, Bell candidly revealed that the couple was “reminded by family and friends” that they had reached their five-year milestone. However, the exact date of their nuptials proved to be a mystery, as neither partner could recall the specific day.

The actress went on to elucidate why the date’s significance paled compared to the essence of their relationship. “I find when you are living with gratitude each moment, the dates become irrelevant,” she shared. “I will never remember the date of our anniversary, and I know you won’t either. And that’s just one more thing I love about us.”

Therapy saved their marriage.

“The marriage is a disaster, but when we work together, it’s very harmonious,” Shepard quipped, encapsulating the couple’s candid approach to their marital struggles. Their strong personalities have proven to be their biggest hurdle, necessitating the assistance of outside professionals to help navigate their differences. Despite the challenges they’ve faced, Bell and Shepard continue to work together toward a harmonious union.

Reflecting on their journey, Bell elaborated on their dynamic: “We met, we fell in love, we’re both very stubborn people, and years 1 and 2 was turbulent, and we thought we needed outside opinions. We need a bigger toolbox — everyone’s born with a tiny toolbox — so we went to therapy, we figured out how to disagree but still love each other.”

Their secret to a happy marriage lies in 2 words.

Upon a fan’s request, the Frozen star took to Instagram to share a note she had penned for a soon-to-be-married couple. In it, she divulged her biggest secret to a happy marriage, stating, “Stay vulnerable.” Bell expounded, “Vulnerability always begets connection and intimacy. In 10 years, when the dopamine has waned, remember: life is a crazy ride. It’s a privilege to go through it with a partner.”

Expanding on her advice, Bell emphasized the importance of taking necessary separateness in a relationship, stating, “It will make your marriage better.” The actress asserted that loving someone despite their imperfections is a profound act of love, stating, “Loving someone despite their faults, failings, or character defects is the most powerful loving thing you can do.”

They manage to fall in love with each other over and over again.

In 2020, Bell and Shepard decided to homeschool their children. With Bell taking on the primary teacher role, she approached the task with meticulous planning, stating, “I’m trying to finish all the schoolwork if we can. Really, the priorities are: one thing for your brain, one thing for your body. That’s a way better schedule than whatever color-coded nonsense I tried to instill.”

To her pleasant surprise, Shepard took the initiative to assist her with homeschooling duties actively. Bell admired his efforts, stating, “Seeing him try so hard made me fall much deeper in love with him.” The couple’s ability to find beauty in even the smallest moments of their marriage was evident.

They raise their kids as a team.

Parents to two daughters born in 2013 and 2014, Bell and Shepard have developed a technique called “tag team” to maintain their sanity. This involves each parent taking turns watching their children separately and switching when they feel overwhelmed with their designated child. Bell explained that this approach allows them to be “thoughtful and not reactive” around their daughters, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a calm and collected demeanor when interacting with their children.

While the couple’s unconventional approach to their relationship and parenting may not suit everyone, they fully embrace it. For example, Bell candidly shared that one of her daughters was still wearing diapers at five. The couple’s willingness to do what works best for their family is a testament to their unique parenting style.