Suzanne Somers and Her Husband of Almost 45 Years Say This One Phrase to Each Other Every Morning

Actress and Three’s Company star Suzanne Somers has been in the spotlight for decades, but when it comes to her life away from the cameras, her marriage of almost 45 years to husband Alan Hamel is a priority.

But despite being together for almost half a century, Somers says no one ever gave her a specific piece of relationship advice growing up that she felt helped her and Hamel. “I just knew inherently that first of all, there was instant chemistry, and I think that’s luck; I just stood off in the corner and knew him,” she tells us.  “I actually called my mother and said I met the man I was going to marry, and he had no idea.” Awwww!

Reflecting on their decades-long marriage though, Somers has one key piece of advice for everyone else. “I realized that [in] a great relationship, you give each other a lot of attention, or why else go into the relationship? We truly give each other a lot of attention. He loves the way I look — how great for me! I love the way he looks, and how great for him. I tell him; he tells me,” she says. “I must tell him I love him at least 10, 20 times a day. I wake up and the first thing he says to me is, ‘I love you so much.’  So I start my day off in bliss.” What a lovely ritual — and one that we can all keep in mind in our own relationships.

And while you’re at it, don’t forget to pick up the latest issue of our sister magazine, First for Women, (buy on newsstands now or on Magazine Shop, $3.49) where Suzanne Somers talks more about her marriage, her easy entertaining tips, her secrets to a great night’s sleep, and more. You also don’t want to miss her advice on the number-one beauty product she can’t live without!

This article originally appeared on our sister site, First for Women.