The Stewarts Share Their Blueprint for Partnership
With more than a decade under their belts, The Stewarts are a blueprint for a happy and healthy marriage. From friends to best friends for life, you immediately see and feel the love when they enter a room. We hope you can feel the true joy and love they have for each other as you read their story.
How did you meet?
We met at work. We worked for two different advertising agencies who occasionally partnered on projects. We became friends and remained good friends for 10 years before becoming romantically involved.
Describe your first date?
Valerie: I was having a stressful day at work , Pierre said, let’s go out for some fresh air . He took me to Federal Hill in downtown Baltimore which overlooks the harbor. Pierre opened the trunk of his car, took out a blanket, bottle of wine, glasses and a picnic basket. I was pleasantly surprised and asked if this is something he usually keeps in his trunk.
“We have a long history of partnerships. We’ve worked together on event planning for advertising clients and my event management company so together we are a SUPER team.”
How do you maintain individuality?
Pierre is an avid cyclist and enjoys riding his bike. I enjoy spending quality time with our children and grandkids.
How do you manage a work love balance?
Valerie: We have a long history of partnerships. We’ve worked together on event planning for advertising clients and my event management company, so together we are a SUPER team. We easily anticipate the others' needs while staying in our own lanes. We genuinely love to work together when we can. As we have gotten older, and Pierre runs his own company, it allows us more time to enjoy each other on our own schedule. We truly love an adventure and spontaneous fun.
What is a piece of advice you’ve received that you’d pass on to another couple?
Pierre: Always date. Never stop dating one another.
Valerie: Understand that you cannot make the other person 100 percent happy, so you need to allow them, with trust and communication, to enjoy what makes them happy. Pierre enjoys bike riding during the winter months, so he spends the winter months in Florida. I’ll join and visit him as often as I can. He is happy and he loves riding so then I am happy.
What is the worst advice you’ve received?
Pierre: Several friends told me I could not stay married and still hangout with my guys.
Valerie: Beware of discussing marital matters with (single) friends because they will see the negative without offering a positive solution.
What lessons on love do you feel the millennial generation is missing out on?
Pierre: Learn to love the things you do not often understand about your spouse. Understanding how important it is to go outside and commune with nature, experience life together and put down the social media.
Valerie: I think millennials are missing out on practicing patience. With patience and communication comes growth and with growth comes understanding and a long lasting healthy relationship.
How do you manage the finances? Shared or Separate accounts? Why?
We have both separate accounts and joint accounts. We have two residences with different expenses. We believe each person should have the ability to manage the shared and personal expenses.
How do you resolve disagreements?
We always agree to disagree, we state our opinions and we move on.
What are 3 goals you share as a couple?
Retire in Florida.
Always spread love.
Die loving each other.
What is one word you would use to describe your relationship and why?
Pierre: Adorable. For so many reasons I admire, adore and love my wife. She is my best friend, confidant, and enhances my life.
Valerie : Healthy; emotionally healthy, spiritually healthy, and foundational healthiness. We built our relationship on a shared partnership with an abundance of mutual admiration and respect for each other's ideas and opinions. We have allowed ourselves space and time for both of us to grow and mature. We have both accepted the better versions of ourselves.
