Michelle and Michael’s family motto speaks volumes about their relationship and their values. Marriage is worth fighting for.
Couple #2: Michelle, 39, executive director of Passion Parties; Michael, 41, landscape contractor
LoveStage: Married
They make marriage look easy. Twenty-two years after they first met as teenagers working at a haunted house (she did his makeup, he dressed up as the Phantom of the Opera), they are as passionate and playful with each other as they were then. That’s not to say that life has been easy for the couple, who have two children, Christa and Michael Anthony. Their daughter was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a very aggressive cancer, when she was just 3 years old. “The moment the doctors told us, everything changed. I slept and lived at the hospital with Christa, and Michael stayed home, trying to keep up a normal routine for our son,” says Michelle. During this difficult time, Michael called a meeting with friends and family. “He told everyone they could go home and cry, then show up the next day with smiles—ready to help us help Christa fight for her life. I fell head over heels for him all over again when he did that.”
First Thing He Noticed About Her
Michael: “Her chest, then her smile. I was 19!”
First Thing She Noticed About Him
Michelle: “I fell in love with his gentle way, his legs and bronze surfer shoulders.”
Something She Hates About Herself But He Loves
Michael: “Her stomach. She complains about it, and I tell her that it is where our babies came from.”
Secret to an Enduring Relationship
Michelle: “A lot of lovemaking, not just sex. Being best friends.”
What They Argue About
Michelle: “Time together! Everyone loves him and he loves life. Surfing, softball, poker, friends…sometimes, I feel left behind. Everything I do is just better when he is there.”
Best Relationship Advice He’s Ever Heard
Michael: “Never go to bed without saying I love you.”
Why They Should Be Couple of the Year:
Michelle: “Because we believe in ‘old school’ marriage. You work hard at it, and it sustains you. Divorce is not an option. Family comes first and through good times and bad times, you are there for one another. We teach that to our children everyday. They see us argue and they see us kiss.”
19 responses so far ↓
1 Bridgette Leonauskas // Sep 24, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Michelle and Michael,
Keep on lovin like you do. Congrats on ‘getting it’ and being a positive image of marriage for your children, your family and friends and others. Marriage does take work, but if you truly love, respect and value each other, the work seems just like play. You’ve got my vote, for couple of the year and beyond!
sincerely,
Bridgette
2 Ileana // Sep 24, 2007 at 6:26 pm
I am going to cry! You two are such romantics! May you be blessed with many more years of Love, Health & Happiness in your marriage alongside your beautiful children. Michelle & Michael, you guys are Couple of the Year in my eyes!
3 MONA // Sep 24, 2007 at 7:51 pm
I’ve seen it all, the good times, the bad times and if they can over come all that then they deserve to be couple of the year.. Good Luck you guys…
Love always,
Mona
4 Laura // Sep 24, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Wow, the two of you are amazing. Just looking at your photo, you can obviously see the love you have for each other in your eyes. I wish you the best of luck in becoming Couple of the Year!
5 Shari // Sep 25, 2007 at 7:12 am
You have my vote! You have taught the lesson not only to your family, but to your friends!
Love,
Shari
6 Linda // Sep 25, 2007 at 10:53 am
I’m a professor of counseling and have a Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy and it sounds like you’re doing all of the right things to keep a loving relationship strong and rewarding to both of you.
Congratulations on your successful marriage!
Linda
7 Angela Reed-Knight // Sep 25, 2007 at 11:04 am
What an awesome story, I feel like I need a day to cry!! I have been married unfortunately several times and now I know that my husband and I have what you have. You have the support and love of each other along with hardships to overcome and grow into a better stronger relationship and you have accomplished that!
From one Passion Sister to another, keep up the good work you have what it takes to empower women in the relationship and share your secrets to a successful mariage! Way to GO!!
Passionately,
Angela Reed-Knight
8 Gisela // Sep 25, 2007 at 11:14 am
Wao, this is a lesson to be learned by me. After reading this i am amazed how great your relashionship is and how much one can learn. This was great to read ” Divorce” is not an option, and that is the first we think about when the going gets tough.
You guys are a great couple and family together. Congratulations!!!!
9 Sarah..your Passion Sister // Sep 25, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Michelle and Michael,
You guys have something special..And you definately have my vote….something that special only comes around once in our lifetime…enjoy every second of each other..
Sarah in Alabama
10 Kelly Hidalgo // Sep 25, 2007 at 2:42 pm
It’s wonderful to hear that these days there are still couples that can keep “it” together. Now a days, no one is willing to work on their marriage. It’s easier just to give up. I applaud the two of you. I receive your marriage will always remain happy. Michelle, you are wonderful!! The best day!
11 Coleen Evans // Sep 25, 2007 at 6:05 pm
You both are an insperation to all. True love really does exist. Who ever said it would be easy lied!!!!
You both prove that over and over. Keep all the love going and enjoy each other forever.
Love always,
Coleen Evans
12 mylola // Sep 25, 2007 at 6:55 pm
you go we are all here for ya
13 Christa // Sep 26, 2007 at 7:28 am
You guys are so cute together!!! You guys will be together forever!!! Love Ya Mommy and Daddy!!!
Oh thanks to everyone who voted….I really want to go to New York, too!
Love,
Christa
14 virginia // Sep 27, 2007 at 10:13 am
An amazing couple - most couples would not have survived what they have been through…their children are our wonderful next generation. Michael & Michelle deserve to win! My husband Leslie & I know Michael & Michelle are “couple of the year.”
15 Stella (Yiayai) // Sep 27, 2007 at 3:21 pm
No one can beat this couple when it comes to wholesome. They are a beautiful family.
Love you all.
Yiayai Stella and Papou Jimmy
16 Roseannn // Sep 29, 2007 at 10:14 am
You guys Rock!
ro
17 Linda Brewer // Sep 29, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Michelle and Michael are true blue people ,very loving very devoted to each other as well to to their family I also know well them as I spent several Days in their home in Florida they deserve to win couple of the year.
18 Linda Brewer // Sep 29, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Michelle and Michael are true blue people ,very loving very devoted to each other as well to to their family I also know them well as I spent several Days in their home in Florida they deserve to win “couple of the year.”
19 Pam Rochna // Oct 3, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Values and committment. That’s what it is all about. Keep it up and you will have happiness forever!
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