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Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen’s Simple and Oh-So Sweet Secret to Long-Lasting Love

If you’re searching for the definition of “relationship goals,” look no further than Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. The couple celebrated their 25th anniversary this year and the secret to their longevity is clear: They are just as smitten with each other now as the day they tied the knot.

“I’m madly in love with Mary Steenburgen,” Danson (72) gushed to US Weekly. “She’s a remarkable human being, so I’m just incredibly blessed. It feels like heaven on Earth. If I were to die, I can say, I know what it’s like to be loved and to love.”

Steenburgen (67) has equally kind words to say about her husband, telling Closer, “I’m ridiculously in love with him. I find him endlessly fascinating. He surprises me all the time and, most of all, he makes me laugh.”

Their long-lasting admiration might also stem from the fact that they were both emerging from rough patches back when they first met in 1994. In fact, Danson claimed in a 2018 interview that before working together on the movie Pontiac Moon that year, they had each separately sworn off relationships following difficult divorces… But quickly changed their tunes after getting to know one another while filming.

“The day I met her… I remember being totally smitten,” the actor said. “I was just like, ‘Oh my god, look at her.’ She had this 1,000-watt bulb going on behind her eyes.”

Steenburgen took a little bit longer to warm up to Danson, though, thanks to his “slick Hollywood” reputation. Things shifted when she saw him getting lunch one day wearing a pair of jeans that were splattered with paint (a hobby he taken up around the same time) and ripped in way that put his “tighty whities” on display. According to Danson, that made her realize, “Well, this guy’s not cool. He’s a doofus. This is interesting. Now I’m interested.”

Take a look to hear more from Danson about the couple’s early days:

Danson also reflected on what turned out to be perfect timing for the couple, saying, “Ironic how life works in those moments. Once you throw your arms up and surrender, a lot of times things come your way.”

The actor’s Good Place co-star Kristen Bell may have summed it up best saying, “It’s almost intimidating spending time with Ted and Mary because of how solid and loving and connected they are. Honestly, it’s beautiful how much they obsess over each other.” We couldn’t agree more!

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