“The most successful couples are the ones who adapt and grow together. This means being open to new experiences and giving one another space to evolve without being threatened by it.” With that being said, Kelly and Matthew Stafford have completed 10 years of their marriage. So, on the eve of such a special day in their life. Kelly has penned a beautiful message for her husband, remembering the journey to this couple’s milestone.

Early on a Friday morning, Kelly shared some cozy pictures with Matthew Stafford where the two were wearing Mr. and Mrs. hats. She also wrote on her post, “10 years in and my heart feels so full. Couldn’t imagine loving you more, but I know over the next decade, that’s exactly what’s gonna happen. Happy anniversary, John Matthew Stafford❤️.” Just imagine 10 years of togetherness with loads of sacrifices and infinite amounts of love that has allowed Kelly and Matthew to celebrate this memorable day.

It wouldn’t have been possible without some key factors Kelly talked about a day before their anniversary. On her April 3rd episode of The Morning After podcast, she cited “constant maintenance” was a key to their decade-long marriage. Now, maintenance doesn’t mean you always have to treat each other to something special.

She remembered one advice her sister gave on craving out a successful marriage: “It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. It doesn’t have to be a crazy date night at a really nice restaurant where you’re spending quality time.” Instead, it could be something less flashy but still romantic enough to make it memorable. “It could be that you go on the back porch and you open a beer together and you just sit and you hang out,” Kelly added.

Well, there was another thing Kelly also wanted to point out for those looking to have a marriage as strong as the Staffords. “Healthy conflict,” Kelly quipped, which could be stressful yet has a lot of upsides. “There can be a lot of just, intense feelings going on, but to make sure there’s a safe space that you both can talk without being judged for it,” Kelly mused.

While Kelly may have suggested some ideas to keep your marriage as long-lasting as theirs, she wouldn’t have come so far if not for patience and adaptability.

Marriage isn’t all sunshine and rainbows

“Marriage is f—— hard. Anyone who tells you differently is f—— lying through their teeth.” Kelly said on the latest episode of her The Morning After podcast. She also confessed how her stance on marriage changed with time. Like before tying the knot with Stafford, Kelly used to say to herself, “You put yourself first all the time.” Then, after marriage, “All of a sudden, you’re putting someone else first.” Now, those changes weren’t just limited to her husband. Kelly also had to adapt slowly to parenthood. “There’s kids involved. It just becomes tougher and tougher with the more things thrown your way.”

Kelly, who shares four daughters, Sawyer, Chandler, Hunter, and Tyler, with Stafford, called the first year of her marriage the toughest. “I would say the first year of marriage was really, really hard,” Kelly added. Then, there was her brain surgery, where she had to remove a benign tumor. After she had struggled with her health, Matthew Stafford and Kelly suddenly had to change their surroundings. Two years later, then-Lions QB was traded to the Rams after spending his first 12 years in Detroit.

At that time, Kelly was at her wit’s end. “Why is God doing this to me?” she asked herself. From there, the couple now stands as an example to those looking to forge a happy marriage. Seeing them reach this milestone only makes us more excited for the next decade of the Staffords. Here’s to the next 10 years. Cheers!!