Loose Woman’s Christine Lampard has opened up about her marriage to Frank, claiming that a happy marriage doesn’t need a lot of Valentine’s Day fuss.
Christine has been married to retired footballer Frank since 2015, after the pair started dating in 2009.
Read more: Scarlett Moffatt’s fans think she’s just made her “new romance” with Lee Wilkinson official
Speaking to The Mirror, she opened up about what makes their nine-year relationship works.
She claimed that there’s no hidden trick to a happy relationship, but that there are things that have tipped the balance in their favour.
“There’s no secret, but timing does come into it,” she said. “I met Frank when I was 29 and he was 30, which was perfect because we’d lived our lives. If we’d met at 17, we might not be here now.
“And my mum used to say, when you’re younger, all that matters is your mates, but you’ve got to make that man your mate as well. I got that with Frank really quickly.”
Christine said that the pair aren’t into the fancier things in life, preferring to have casual, ordinary fun.
As Valentine’s Day approaches there is constant talk of romantic gestures, but Christine claimed she doesn’t put a lot of stock in a big gesture done once a year.
“We’re not into big gestures – sending 100 roses doesn’t do much for me – it’s little things, like him filling up my car with petrol so I don’t have to,” she said. “Or if he lights the candles in the house.”
But on top of the small, everyday gestures, Frank seems willing to do the odd big one as well – he flew a friend to Los Angeles to bring Christine’s engagement ring, so he could propose.
And he arranged a special delivery while Christine was on the interview train, sending her flowers and cupcakes while she was in the middle of an interview with The Sun.
Read more: Dancing On Ice judge Jason Gardiner can’t remember celebrity skaters’ names
“It’s nice it’s so romantic,” Christine said in response to the surprise delivery. “It’s a bit like we’re 12 years old again.
“We love that kind of nice, everyday thing,” she continued. “That makes it really special for us. We get quite excited about going to the pub and having a giggle and keeping it simple. That’s the key.”
In a recent interview, Frank revealed the secret to a good relationship is to keep fancying each other, while always having fun and making each other laugh.
Christine responded on Loose Women by saying: “I agree. I’ve always said that being with someone you can properly belly laugh with is really special. And definitely the fancying thing. You have to still look at them and go, ‘That’s my husband, that’s my wife!’
“We’ve been married just over two years but have been together almost nine. I look at him now and still feel exactly the same as the way I did when I first met him, if not more.”
She said they “love the simple things that make you smile” and they get excited about how they will spend their days off together.
Aww!
Do you think there is a secret to a happy marriage? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!