From couples approaching their first decade together to those who have weathered decades of marriage, childbirth, financial struggles and other difficult seasons, these stories offer a glimpse into the patience, understanding, perseverance and commitment it takes from both partners to build a marriage that lasts.

Korede, 30

We married young, and everyone still saw us as kids. So whenever we had issues, there were always outside opinions. People would tell me, 鈥淭his is how a man should behave,鈥� or, 鈥淲hy are you allowing this?鈥� I started listening to those voices instead of listening to my wife. It changed how I treated her. 

Then one day, I read an article that said the most important person in your marriage should be your spouse, not your parents or your children, because that鈥檚 the person you鈥檙e actually building a life with. It hit me hard. I realised I鈥檇 been letting everybody else into my marriage except the person I chose. I had to return to first principles: I loved this girl. This was the person I started the journey with. After that, I shut out the noise. That decision has kept our marriage for over a decade.

Ini*, 34

My husband is one of one. He鈥檚 kind to his core, and I don鈥檛 think he even realises just how good of a person he is. I don鈥檛 think anyone is doing romance like we are. Every single day is intentional, and it鈥檚 in the way we prioritise each other, the way we still hold hands after almost a decade, the way he never forgets to touch me when we pass each other in the house. We鈥檝e built something so strong that even when life happens, we find our way back to each other. A way to know your marriage is solid is to look at your kids. Our children are happy, thriving, and full of love. That wouldn鈥檛 be possible if we weren鈥檛 doing something right as partners.

Titi*, 42

I鈥檝e been married for nine years, and one thing that has always kept us going is intimacy. There鈥檚 no issue, no matter how big or small, that a night of intimacy can鈥檛 solve for us. I struggled in the first few years because my body wasn鈥檛 used to having so much sex, but over time, I realised how much intimacy helped our relationship, so I leaned into it. That鈥檚 why I don鈥檛 understand couples who stop having sex when they鈥檙e fighting. For us, intimacy has been one of the most important things keeping our marriage happy.

Desola*, 55

We鈥檝e weathered so much together as a couple over the past three decades. In the earlier years, my husband didn鈥檛 make it easy. He was hard on the kids and me. He blurred the line between being a strict head of the family and a loving husband or father. But that phase eventually passed. I鈥檓 happy I stayed long enough to see this version of our marriage. I鈥檝e always believed that marriage has different phases, and this current one is beautiful. He鈥檚 kinder, more patient, and not half the disciplinarian he used to be. I see him with our grandkids and remember how our children scattered whenever he came home. He鈥檚 softer now, and we鈥檙e in a good place.

Abraham*, 54

21 years of marriage means we鈥檝e been through many ups and downs. However, people must know that rough patches aren鈥檛 the same thing as a broken marriage. You have to be honest with yourself about which one you are actually in. There are things that can be worked through over time, with effort and genuine change from both sides. And there are things that cannot. Only you know which situation you are truly in. For us, the good that existed between us was always real enough to hold onto, even during the worst of it. That mattered. It kept us together when leaving would have been easier.

Mojeed, 43

In our 15 years of marriage, the most challenging period was waiting for our first child. My wife suffered multiple miscarriages, and each one broke her a little more than the last. I wasn鈥檛 as worried as she was. Even though it had only been a year or two into our marriage, I kept reassuring her that we had time, but she still struggled with the weight of it all.

It was a difficult period for both of us, but I always knew that if having children didn鈥檛 happen for us, we could adopt and carry on with our lives. I didn鈥檛 see children as the thing that would make or break our marriage. I鈥檝e always believed that you鈥檝e still won if all you have is a great partner.

Over a decade later, I still feel the same way. Marriage is a complex institution, but also the best one you can have. And in my case, I bagged the best woman.

Gloria*, 55

I鈥檝e been friends with my husband for 38 years, and we鈥檝e been married for 27. Like every marriage, ours has had its ups and downs, especially when it comes to finances. We planned to have three children, but ended up with six because I really wanted a girl. About five years ago, a cheating episode almost ended our marriage. My husband had never given me any reason to doubt him in over three decades, so I saw it as a lapse in judgement and the devil鈥檚 handiwork. He was genuinely sorry, and we鈥檝e put it behind us. We鈥檒l spend the rest of our lives together.

Adeniran*, 51

I鈥檝e been married for 22 years, and patience is the biggest thing that has kept my union going. My wife can be very troublesome, but underneath that tough exterior, she鈥檚 a good mum and wife. People are still surprised that I鈥檓 in this marriage. Some are even convinced she tied me down with something spiritual. The truth is, I鈥檝e simply learnt to be the understanding and patient one. It wasn鈥檛 easy because, naturally, a man is expected to be the tough one. But when I stopped trying to be tough and became more patient and understanding, our marriage worked. People need to understand what works for their own unique circumstances.

Ibironke*, 38

I鈥檓 celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary next year, and I still can鈥檛 believe we鈥檝e made it this far. For 10 years, we haven鈥檛 had a child, and it鈥檚 been a source of pain in our marriage. Sometimes we forget about it, but other times, it feels like an ache in our hearts. It can feel like something is missing because we haven鈥檛 built the family we imagined. But through it all, my husband and I have bonded. We鈥檝e become best friends, gone on adventures and continually chased happiness together. We鈥檝e reached a point where, whether children come or not, the foundation of our marriage remains unshaken.

Doris*, 50

It鈥檚 been over two decades together and we still do many lovey-dovey things together. For example, we still bathe together. We鈥檝e done it almost every day since we鈥檝e been married. Even our children are aware. They sometimes prepare the bath for mummy and daddy. It has really strengthened our bond. Especially on those days when we鈥檝e had arguments and aren鈥檛 really speaking. At least, we know that when it鈥檚 time to get into the bathroom, we鈥檇 have a reason to exchange words. I鈥檇 always advise younger couples to find that one common ground and nurture it. That has worked for our own marriage.

Abu*, 41

I鈥檝e been married for 11 years, but we鈥檝e stayed together for the last two years or so because of the children more than anything else. The love is still there, but it鈥檚 been buried beneath the pressure of raising kids, struggling financially and having many fights that have left wounds. Sometimes, it feels like we鈥檙e just existing in the same marriage. I hope things get better because neither of us wants to leave. But I also hope we get to a place where we鈥檙e not just staying for the sake of it, but actually enjoying being together again.

 *Names have been changed to protect the identity of the subjects.

Missed previous episodes of the series, catch up here.

From newlyweds who transitioned to painful long-distance arrangements immediately after saying 鈥淚 do鈥�, to couples doing the hard work of keeping love alive after every long-overdue reunion, these stories reveal the grit, loneliness, and absolute resilience required to love someone from thousands of miles away. 

鈥淚 worried my wife was sleeping with other people鈥� 鈥� Tunde*, 37

Three months after our wedding, I relocated to the UK. At the time, we told ourselves it would only be for a year. That year became three. I only went home during the Christmas break to say hello.

Nobody told me that long-distance marriage isn鈥檛 just about missing someone physically. It鈥檚 about missing the small things, like eating together, arguing over silly things and seeing her face after a difficult day. I sorted my physical needs with sex workers and tried not to think about whether my wife was doing the same back in Nigeria.

Instead, I focused on making sure we became better at communicating. There were times I worried we were becoming pen pals instead of spouses. But now, I鈥檓 grateful for the love that kept us together until we could be in the same place again. She鈥檚 moved over to my side now, thankfully. Those long years apart taught me how important physical presence is in a marriage.

鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 switching between being married and being single鈥� 鈥� Ifeoma*, 33

My husband works offshore and can be away for months at a time. Every time he leaves, I have to adjust to life without him. Then, when he returns, I have to adjust all over again. It鈥檚 like constantly switching between being married and being single. Sometimes the transitions are harder than the separation itself.

We鈥檝e had to learn to be intentional about reconnecting emotionally because intimacy doesn鈥檛 automatically return just because someone comes home. At the beginning, I resented him being away so much that our s*x life began to suffer. We had to go for counselling to get over that hump, and things have gotten better since then.

鈥淚鈥檓 watching my children grow up through photos鈥� 鈥� Hassan*, 41

The biggest surprise about long-distance marriage is how quickly loneliness can creep in, even when you鈥檙e talking every day. I moved to Canada in search of greener pastures, but my wife and kids can鈥檛 join me yet. For now, we鈥檙e stuck with phone calls.

Even though we talk frequently, there are moments technology can鈥檛 replace. When you鈥檙e sick, stressed or celebrating something, you want your person physically by your side. It was my idea to go to Canada, but the separation has taken a harder toll on me. Every time my wife sends me photos, I feel like I鈥檓 missing crucial parts of our children鈥檚 lives. I can鈥檛 wait till this part is behind us.

鈥淚 was married online but alone in real life鈥� 鈥� Bimpe*, 29

My husband moved to the UK six months after our wedding. For a while, I felt like I was living two separate lives. Online, I was somebody鈥檚 wife. Offline, I was alone.

The weirdest part was how people treated me like a married woman, but my daily reality looked a lot like being single. I鈥檇 go to bed alone, fix problems alone and make major decisions alone. Sometimes I felt guilty about admitting how lonely I was because, technically, I wasn鈥檛 alone. I had a husband. He just happened to be thousands of kilometres away. 

Last December, I got a visa, and we spent the holidays together. It felt like the sun had come out again. I don鈥檛 recommend a long-distance marriage if you鈥檙e a lover girl. 

鈥淚 could feel my marriage slipping away鈥� 鈥� David*, 38

My wife and I tried the thing where one person moves abroad first, and the other joins later. We barely lasted a year.

When you鈥檙e only speaking over calls and texts, you naturally start summarising your day rather than fully sharing it. After a while, we鈥檇 tell each other the highlights but not the details. I eventually started feeling a distance between us that scared me.

I hated that there were parts of her daily life I knew almost nothing about. When the UK tightened its policies and made immigration tougher, I called my wife and told her I was coming home. The relief on her face told me I鈥檇 done the right thing.

鈥淢y wife said she was tired of carrying everything alone鈥� 鈥� Saheed*, 48

I鈥檓 a truck driver, and I have to travel frequently for work. For a long time, I convinced myself my wife had adjusted to it. After all, I sent upkeep money regularly and made sure she and our kids were comfortable. In my mind, I was doing all this for them.

Then one day, while I was visiting home, she poured out her mind. She said handling everything alone while I was away was too much for her. Hearing that made me feel bad. I thought she was having it easier, but that day she showed me she was struggling.

I now make sure I鈥檓 never away from home for more than a week. It鈥檚 not perfect, but we鈥檙e making it work until we can find a more permanent solution.

鈥淲e had to schedule dates just to remember we liked each other鈥� 鈥� Tinuade*, 35

When you鈥檙e together physically, affection can happen naturally. When you鈥檙e apart, it鈥檚 a different ball game. You have to create opportunities for connection instead of waiting for them to happen naturally. A few weeks after my husband travelled for film school, I noticed our conversations had become repetitive because all we discussed were bills, work and responsibilities.

We had to stop and decide that we wanted this to work. Then we started scheduling online dates and watching films together. He鈥檒l soon graduate, and I can鈥檛 wait for him to come back home to me.

鈥淒istance made me aware of my insecurities鈥� 鈥� Chinedu*, 39

I had to briefly move to Abuja to oversee the construction of the home I was building for our family. During that period, I only went home once or twice a month.

The problem was that, over time, I became insecure about leaving my wife alone for so long. If she took longer than usual to reply to my messages, my mind would immediately start creating stories. 

I knew she was probably busy, but the distance made every feeling seem bigger than it was. I was forced to confront and overcome insecurities I didn鈥檛 even realise I had. When you鈥檙e apart, you need to go the extra mile to remind yourself of the partner you have and the kind of person they are.

鈥淚 cried in an empty apartment because I missed my husband鈥� 鈥� Kemi*, 28

My husband relocated two days after our wedding in 2025, and for seven months, our marriage was sustained by phone calls, texts, and video calls.

My friends would ask how we were coping with the distance, and I鈥檇 always say we were fine. But the truth was more complicated. Some days were manageable. Other days, I鈥檇 come home to an empty apartment and cry because I was tired of being alone.

I鈥檇 pick fights with him, but he never lost his cool. When I finally saw him again, I was so happy. It felt like those months apart had been a bad dream.

鈥淚 stopped wanting sex after years apart from my husband鈥� 鈥� Funke*, 61

My husband was an accountant and travelled frequently. During peak periods, he鈥檇 be away for months at a time. At first, I missed him so much it was painful. But after a while, I got used to it.

We had two kids, and I poured my time into taking care of them. At some point, I thought he might have a secret family in another state. But as long as they didn鈥檛 disturb my children or me, I wasn鈥檛 too worried about it.

The constant distance wrecked our intimacy, though. After our third child was born in 1999, I no longer felt the urge to have s*x with him. He didn鈥檛 pressure me, and we continued our marriage like that until he passed away in 2019.

鈥淏eing apart almost made us forget how to be a team鈥� 鈥� Amara*, 52

My husband lived abroad for four years because he was trying to get a residency visa. I had to stay back with our children.

As time passed, I learned to solve problems on my own and make big decisions without him. I think a part of me resented him for leaving me with the kids, but another part of me missed him when he was gone.

The damage was already done by the time we eventually reunited. We鈥檇 both developed separate routines and ways of doing things, and it almost broke our marriage. It took prayer and learning how to function as a team again to avoid divorce.

鈥淲e almost grew apart while I was away鈥� 鈥� Segun*, 38

People often assume long-distance marriages fail because of infidelity. In my experience, the bigger threat is emotional drift. You can love someone deeply and still become disconnected if you鈥檙e not careful.

We were apart for six months while I pursued a diploma in Brazil. Things got so busy that, at one point, we couldn鈥檛 find the time to connect.

I didn鈥檛 even notice how distant we鈥檇 become. She was the one who pointed it out. After that, I became intentional about setting aside time to talk about things other than our responsibilities. It actually deepened our bond. It felt like we were dating again. By the time I returned, we felt closer than we had in months.

鈥淚 got so used to being alone that his presence annoyed me鈥� 鈥� Kikelomo*, 36

The first time my husband came home after almost a year away on deployment, I was shocked by how irritated I felt.

I鈥檇 imagined a romantic reunion, but instead, I found myself annoyed that he was disrupting my routines. I鈥檇 gotten so used to being alone and doing things without him. Suddenly, there was another person in the house again.

I think long-distance marriage can make independence feel addictive. Every time my husband comes home, I have to relearn how to share my space with him. But once I adjust, I love having him around, and I hate when he has to leave.

鈥淚 felt like a guest in my own home鈥� 鈥� Uche*, 46

Spending more time out of the house always makes me feel like a guest in my own home.

Whenever I return from travelling, my wife and kids already have their routines. They know where everything is, how everything works and what their schedules look like.

For the first few days, I鈥檇 always feel slightly out of place, like I was visiting rather than returning. It made me cranky and easily annoyed. Only a few nights in bed with my wife could turn it around. Those few minutes we spend gossiping before we fall asleep are my favourite moments on the days I spend at home.

鈥淗ope kept my marriage alive when my husband couldn鈥檛 be there鈥� 鈥� Nnenna*, 40

A few years into our marriage, my husband and I had to navigate a long-distance situation. He travelled to America for three years, and it threatened to end us.

I spoke to some older couples at our church who had experience with long-distance marriage, and I noticed the same pattern. They genuinely believed the sacrifice would eventually be worth it. The couples who struggled most were the ones who lost sight of why they were enduring the separation in the first place.

That put everything into perspective for me.

Hope is a surprisingly practical way to keep the flame alive, even when your spouse isn鈥檛 physically there with you.

鈥淢oving back in together was harder than living apart鈥� 鈥� Bayo*, 60

When I retired after years of living apart from my wife and travelling for work, I didn鈥檛 realise that reuniting would be difficult.

I expected things to be seamless when I joined her in our three-bed flat. We鈥檇 become accustomed to making decisions independently and organising our lives separately. Suddenly sharing a space again required the compromise we鈥檇 stopped practising.

We started arguing and raising our voices; something we鈥檇 never done before.

Eventually, I figured the small space was an issue, so we moved to a duplex. Our relationship improved almost immediately. It鈥檚 been great between us ever since.

听*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the subjects.

If you loved this, you won’t want to miss the next episode. The Long Haul follows couples who successfully navigated marriage for over a decade and more. Dropping Aug 14th.

From couples enjoying the best sex of their lives to those navigating mismatched libidos, ageing and health challenges, these stories reveal the many ways married Nigerians sustain intimacy through different seasons of life.

鈥淢y husband鈥檚 size has prevented sex鈥濃�� Anita*, 30

My husband and I have been married for two years, and we鈥檝e still never had penetrative sex. We did everything else while dating, but every attempt after marriage was unbearably painful. We tried different positions, lubricants and exercises, but nothing worked. It took a toll on us because, even though we found other ways to be intimate, it still felt like something was missing. This year, my husband convinced me to see a doctor. He insisted the issue wasn鈥檛 his size because it wasn鈥檛 an issue in his previous relationships. I was diagnosed with vaginismus earlier this year and now use dilators, but penetration still hasn鈥檛 happened. Sometimes I wonder if I should let him sleep with someone else, though I鈥檝e never voiced it out.

鈥淲e have sex at least five times a week鈥� 鈥� Ibidun*, 33

One of my favourite things about my husband is our sex life. I鈥檓 plus-sized, and past relationships made me feel like my body was something to tolerate. My husband is the complete opposite. He absolutely adores me, and I鈥檝e never once questioned whether he finds me attractive. We鈥檝e been married for three years, and we still have sex at least five times a week, sometimes more than once a day. It also never feels repetitive because we鈥檙e always trying something different. Beyond the sex itself, I love that he makes me feel desired. I spent years feeling self-conscious about my body. With him, I simply feel beautiful.

鈥淢y wife never makes the first move鈥� 鈥� Tobi*, 38

I genuinely love my wife, but I鈥檝e never really enjoyed our sex life. She hardly ever initiates, doesn鈥檛 like giving or receiving oral sex, and isn鈥檛 interested in experimenting. She also takes a long time to get in the mood, and most times, she鈥檚 simply not interested. It was manageable when we were dating and during the first few years of marriage, but things changed after we had children. I鈥檝e brought it up so many times that I鈥檝e honestly stopped trying. I鈥檝e never cheated, and I don鈥檛 plan to, but I鈥檇 be lying if I said I had a fulfilling sex life. That鈥檚 the reality of my marriage.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not like the earlier days, but we鈥檙e still active鈥濃�� Jumobi* 57

My husband and I have actually been enjoying sex more lately after we enrolled in an intimacy programme at church. It鈥檚 definitely not the same as when we were younger. Our bodies have changed, and there are moments that feel awkward or even a little embarrassing. But we鈥檝e learnt not to put ourselves under pressure. If we both feel like it, we go for it. If we don鈥檛, that鈥檚 fine too. One thing we鈥檝e never stopped doing is showering together. Sometimes that鈥檚 all that happens, but it鈥檚 become our little ritual. We tease each other, laugh, talk and enjoy being close. At this stage of our marriage, intimacy is more about staying connected.

鈥淲e鈥檝e replaced intimacy with companionship鈥� 鈥� Ajara*, 58

My husband and I have been married for 24 years, and we barely have sex anymore. It鈥檚 not because we don鈥檛 love each other. If anything, we鈥檙e probably closer now than we鈥檝e ever been. We still hug, kiss and genuinely enjoy each other鈥檚 company. I just think I鈥檝e outgrown that part of marriage. My husband still tries to initiate sometimes, but my body doesn鈥檛 respond the way it used to. I no longer crave sex, and I鈥檝e made peace with that. I think intimacy is something we enjoyed best when we were much younger. These days, companionship means much more to me.

鈥淢y wife thinks sex isn鈥檛 important鈥� 鈥� Ahmed*, 39

Sex with my wife always feels like a struggle. Almost every time I initiate, she鈥檚 too tired or not in the mood. After years of hearing the same response, I jokingly told her maybe I should satisfy myself elsewhere. She didn鈥檛 even react. That hurt more than I expected because it made me feel like the intimate part of our marriage didn鈥檛 matter to her at all. She always says there are more important things to worry about than sex. I鈥檝e never cheated and don鈥檛 intend to, but I鈥檝e resorted to masturbating while married. I honestly never imagined my marriage would look like this.

鈥淲e started enjoying sex in our third year鈥� 鈥� Zinat*, 33

The first few years of my marriage were painful because my husband is quite big, and I always struggled with dryness. I tried everything people recommended, from changing my diet to using different kayamata products, but nothing worked. Everyone kept telling me the only way my body would adjust was to keep trying, so I endured it. Every time we had sex felt like torture, even though my husband was always concerned and asked if we should stop. I kept telling him to continue. Things finally improved around our third year of marriage after we had our child. I still feel some pressure at first, but my body has become much more accepting of his size.

鈥淢y wife matches my libido鈥� 鈥� Habeeb*, 35

I genuinely don鈥檛 relate when married men complain about being sexually starved. My wife and I have been married for six years, and our sex life has been beautiful from the start. She hardly ever turns me down. In fact, I can count the number of times she鈥檚 rejected my advances. It didn鈥檛 happen by accident either. When I was dating, I knew libido compatibility mattered to me, so I was intentional about marrying someone who matched my energy. Six years later, nothing has changed. We still enjoy each other, and intimacy has never felt like a point of conflict in our marriage.

鈥淪ex is the last thing on my mind鈥� 鈥� Tolu*, 33

We鈥檙e currently in a dry spell, and honestly, it鈥檚 because of me. Since having our baby, I just haven鈥檛 felt like myself. I鈥檓 insecure about how my body looks now, and the thought of sex makes me feel uncomfortable. My husband has been incredibly patient through it all. I鈥檝e caught him masturbating a few times, and for a second, I wanted to be upset. But then I realised I can鈥檛 expect him to completely shut that part of himself down when I鈥檓 the one pulling away. As long as he鈥檚 not stepping outside the marriage, I understand. I just hope I find that spark again because right now, I鈥檓 focused on healing and feeling like myself again.

鈥淥ur health has made sex a struggle鈥� 鈥� Rasheedat*, 52

My husband and I have managed high blood pressure for years, and it鈥檚 changed our sex life completely. When we first got married, he never let me rest. Even after his diagnosis, he still had a healthy libido. But age, medication and eventually a stroke have taken their toll. There are times we go six months without even thinking about sex. At first, it was difficult because I kept hoping things would improve. Now, I鈥檝e accepted that this phase of our marriage is over. We still care deeply for each other, but we鈥檝e found other ways to express love beyond physical intimacy.

鈥淚 love oral sex, but my husband doesn鈥檛鈥� 鈥� Grace*, 29

I鈥檇 say my husband and I have a decent sex life. The only thing I really miss is oral sex. I enjoy receiving it, and it used to be the quickest way for me to orgasm. My husband has tried, but I could tell he genuinely doesn鈥檛 enjoy it. Even though he never complained, I鈥檇 notice him going straight to the bathroom afterwards to rinse his mouth. I realised it wasn鈥檛 fair to keep expecting something that made him uncomfortable, so I stopped asking. It鈥檚 all about compromise. There are things he enjoys that I don鈥檛 too. For example, he likes using his fingers, and I absolutely don鈥檛. He鈥檚 respected that boundary, and we鈥檝e both learnt other ways to make sure we enjoy intimacy together.

鈥淲e鈥檙e still using condom鈥濃�� Ibrahim*, 40

One thing I looked forward to before marriage was never having to use condoms again. Ironically, that鈥檚 exactly where we are after three children. My wife tried different birth control methods, but they just didn鈥檛 agree with her body. One made her gain weight, another affected her periods. It was always one side effect or another. We eventually agreed that condoms were the safest option until we found something that worked. Neither of us enjoys sex with protection, but we鈥檝e accepted it. In fact, these days, I鈥檓 usually the one insisting we use one. We tried the withdrawal method a few times, and that鈥檚 how our third child arrived.

鈥淪ex is no longer a priority for us鈥濃�� Tawa*, 60

My husband has been bedridden for about three years now, so sex is no longer part of our marriage. Truthfully, I don鈥檛 even think about it anymore. I believe every season of marriage comes with its own priorities. Even before he became ill, my libido had already dropped significantly. He used to complain about it so much that he once mentioned it to our children. But since he fell sick, intimacy isn鈥檛 something either of us thinks about anymore. Instead, we鈥檝e found different ways to love each other through care, companionship and simply being present. I think many marriages eventually reach a stage where intimacy looks very different from what it did in the beginning.

鈥淪ex now feels like an item off a checklist鈥� 鈥� Demola*, 44

I鈥檝e been married for 10 years, and sex has become more scheduled than spontaneous. At the beginning of our marriage, it happened all the time. Now, we鈥檙e lucky if it鈥檚 once or twice a month, and I鈥檓 almost always the one initiating. My wife just doesn鈥檛 seem interested anymore. Since she became more involved in church, there鈥檚 always something. She鈥檚 fasting, on a prayer programme or avoiding what she calls impurity. We used to argue about it, but I eventually got tired. These days, when we do have sex, it feels less like something we both want and more like we鈥檙e ticking another item off the marriage checklist.

 *Names have been changed to protect the identity of the subjects.

From couples navigating interethnic marriages to those learning to bridge religious and cultural divides, these stories paint an honest picture of the compromises and commitment it takes to make love work.

鈥淚ntertribal marriage had more challenges than I鈥檇 thought鈥� 鈥� Amaka*, 34, F

I married a Yoruba man and our tribal differences weren鈥檛 much of an issue while we were dating. But after we got married, I spent the first few years of my marriage explaining myself, especially to his family. Our different upbringings led to a few clashes, and I also had a difficult relationship with my in-laws. Thankfully, my husband always stood up for me.

The hardest part has actually been our extended families. Nearly eight years later, relatives still tell me to behave 鈥渓ike a proper wife鈥� according to their traditions. It鈥檚 irritating, but these days, I choose my battles.

鈥淗e wants our child to follow only his faith鈥� 鈥� Aisha*, 39, F

As a Muslim woman married to a Christian man, I thought the difficult conversations would end after our wedding. Instead, it feels like we revisit the same arguments every year.

Before we had our child, my husband promised our kids would grow up learning about both religions. Now he鈥檚 changed his mind. He says he isn鈥檛 comfortable with the idea of our child becoming Muslim.

Those words hurt because I love my faith and I鈥檓 proud of the person it has shaped me into. In the end, we鈥檙e doing things his way. My son goes to church with his dad every week. I still try to read the Quran to him, but he doesn鈥檛 seem interested. 

鈥淚 had to teach my husband to relax about money鈥� 鈥� Tope*, 50, F

I grew up in a wealthy family, while my husband didn鈥檛. We thought love would bridge that gap, but our different backgrounds created tension.

I was raised to spend money on the best and most convenient option. He grew up believing every naira should be stretched because his family genuinely struggled at times.

During the first few years of our marriage, we argued constantly about money. Not because we didn鈥檛 have it, but because we viewed it so differently. I had to teach my husband that he was allowed to enjoy life, especially with the money he鈥檇 worked so hard for. He鈥檚 still careful with money, but we definitely argue about it far less now.

鈥淚 learned it鈥檚 impossible to satisfy everyone鈥� 鈥� Chinedu*, 36, M

I married a Yoruba babe, and the biggest surprise was how political naming our child became.

What should have been a joyful moment almost turned into a war over whose culture would be represented. The pressure from both families became so overwhelming that my wife and I quickly decided to name our child ourselves and deal with the consequences.

My mother still hasn鈥檛 forgiven me, but honestly, I鈥檓 okay with that. They were stressing us out. That lesson has repeated itself throughout our marriage. Sometimes, protecting your peace means disappointing the people you love.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know how lonely being the outsider would make me鈥� 鈥� Hadiza*, 46, F

When I married into a family from a completely different ethnic group, I underestimated how lonely it could feel.

There were family gatherings where everyone switched to a language I couldn鈥檛 understand. Nobody was trying to exclude me, but I often felt like an outsider looking in. It took years before I truly felt like part of the family.

Looking back, I wish people talked more honestly about the adjustment period that comes with intertribal marriages. Love helps, but finding your place in a new family takes time.

鈥淢y wife pressured me for years to convert to her religion鈥� 鈥� Pelumi*, 58, M

People like to encourage interfaith marriages, but I think they can be very stressful.

My second wife is a Christian, and she鈥檚 the one I鈥檝e had the most trouble with. She converted a few years into our marriage, which I didn鈥檛 mind as long as she fulfilled her responsibilities as a wife and mother. But for a long time, almost every argument came back to my refusal to convert. It made me regret taking a second wife.

Things eventually settled after I got her a separate apartment. We still argue sometimes, though. A few years ago, she said she and our children wouldn鈥檛 eat Sallah ram anymore because of something her church preached about. That鈥檚 why I always advise people from different faiths to leave each other alone.

鈥淚t was difficult to change how I saw money鈥� 鈥� Kemi*, 41, F

Women are always encouraged to 鈥渕arry up鈥�, but no one talks about how hard it is to shake certain beliefs about money when you come from a different social class.

My husband grew up in a wealthy family where money was always available. I grew up comfortable, but without many luxuries.

Even after we got married and became financially secure, I couldn鈥檛 shake the fear that everything could disappear overnight. He thought I worried too much. I thought he was too carefree.

It took years before I realised we weren鈥檛 arguing about money. We were arguing about the realities that shaped us long before we met. Understanding that changed everything. Now, when those fears creep in, I tell him, and he reassures me that we鈥檒l be okay.

鈥淚 had to distance myself from my family for my wife鈥檚 peace鈥� 鈥� Nnamdi*, 41, M

The hardest part of marrying outside my tribe was how my family treated my wife.

Her Itsekiri family welcomed me with open arms, but my own relatives made me feel ashamed. They did everything they could to exclude her whenever we attended major family gatherings.

Some of them still refer to her as 鈥渢hat girl鈥�, even after more than a decade of marriage. I stopped tolerating it early on and distanced myself from them. We鈥檙e now one of those families that rarely attends extended family events. If they can鈥檛 accept my wife, they don鈥檛 get access to us.

What annoys me most is that they adore our children, who are half Itsekiri because of their mother, but still refuse to fully accept her. It鈥檚 sad, but I think keeping our distance has been the healthiest decision for my family.

鈥淢y in-laws鈥� wealth makes me feel inferior鈥� 鈥� Fatima*, 29, F

I married a man from a much wealthier family, and nobody told me how insecure marrying up could make me feel.

In his family, people casually gift each other expensive things like it鈥檚 nothing. During our first Christmas together, one of his uncles gave us a present worth more than my annual salary at the time. I felt so embarrassed because all we gave him was a bottle of wine and some diffusers.

My husband doesn鈥檛 understand why I鈥檓 so reserved around his family but outspoken everywhere else. It took me a while to realise that I felt insecure because of their wealth. They鈥檝e been nothing but kind to me, but I still sometimes feel like I don鈥檛 belong.

鈥淔or years, I thought I had to prove myself to my wife鈥� 鈥� Dayo*, 63, M

My wife comes from one of the wealthiest families in my village, and I was deeply insecure about it, especially in the early years of our marriage.

Her family was one of the few in town that travelled abroad regularly and sent their children to top schools. They just seemed to move through the world differently. Meanwhile, I paid my way through medical school by doing menial jobs.

After we got married, I constantly felt like I had something to prove. The funny thing is, my wife never made me feel inadequate. She always reassured me, and her father remained generous to her, so we never lacked at home. Most of that pressure came from me. It took years before I stopped comparing myself to her family and started appreciating what I brought to our marriage.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 like the way his family jokes around鈥� 鈥� Chioma*, 32, F

Marrying outside my tribe has come with its own challenges. I love my husband, but his family jokes around more than I鈥檓 comfortable with.

Every time my mother-in-law sees me, she calls me 鈥淥mo Igbo mi.鈥� I don鈥檛 think she means any harm, but every time I hear it, I鈥檓 reminded that I鈥檓 not truly one of them.

These days, I remind myself that what matters most is that my husband respects and values me. That鈥檚 what keeps me grounded.

鈥淎fter getting married, my friends pulled away from me鈥� 鈥� Hauwa*, 35, F

Nobody told me I鈥檇 lose friends after marrying outside my religion.

I expected my family to oppose my relationship with my husband, but I never imagined my friends would slowly distance themselves too.

When I eventually asked some of them why, they said they assumed I鈥檇 converted to Christianity, even though I hadn鈥檛. I didn鈥檛 expect that kind of thinking from people my age who claimed to be open-minded. 

鈥淢y in-laws called me disrespectful鈥� 鈥� Osas*, 31, F

My husband is Yoruba, and I鈥檓 Edo. I don鈥檛 know if it鈥檚 a cultural thing, but I鈥檝e found that Yoruba people are more likely to use euphemisms than speak directly when correcting or disagreeing with an older person.

I鈥檓 naturally a very direct person, and that difference caused a lot of tension when I first got married. My in-laws thought I was disrespectful and stubborn. They were right about the stubborn part, but I never intended to be disrespectful. I simply disagreed and said what I thought.

My husband eventually pulled me aside and explained that wasn鈥檛 how things were done in his family. I had to learn to hold my tongue and let some things go to keep the peace with my in-laws.

鈥淚 converted for my husband, and my family hates it鈥� 鈥� Maria*, 40, F

I converted to Islam so I could marry my husband. He personally had no problem with me remaining Christian, but his family, especially my mother-in-law, strongly opposed it. They insisted the marriage wouldn鈥檛 work unless I converted.

I agreed, but the decision damaged several relationships in my own family. Some relatives distanced themselves from me after my conversion, and a few relationships never recovered. For years, I carried a lot of guilt about that.

Eventually, I accepted that adults sometimes make choices other people don鈥檛 like or understand. My marriage has been worth it, but I wish people were more honest about the sacrifices that can come with choosing love outside familiar boundaries.

Read Next: Married Nigerians on Facing Crisis Together and Choosing to Stay

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鈥淚nvolving my husband in my business was a mistake鈥� 鈥� Ochanya*, 39

When my mother died in 2015, I took over her school. My husband and I decided to run it together, but it turned out to be the biggest mistake we made.

My husband gradually took complete control. I didn鈥檛 mind at first, but I soon realised there was no accountability. He refused to standardise the school fees, charged different families different amounts and never accounted for how he spent the money.

I endured it for about a year before asking him to step away. It led to the biggest fight of our marriage. He felt I had thrown his efforts away and moved to another state to start his own business.

We lived apart for a few years before our families reconciled us in 2017. Now, we鈥檝e learnt to keep our marriage separate from our businesses. 

鈥淚 thought my illness would cost me my marriage鈥� 鈥� Dunsin*, 39

Two years into marriage, I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, and our lives changed overnight. For the past three years, we鈥檝e moved from one hospital to another, trying different treatments while drowning in medical bills. We nearly exhausted our savings trying to keep up. My wife stood by me through it all, but her family started questioning why she stayed, especially because we still don鈥檛 have kids. Some even encouraged her to leave.

Earlier this year, she travelled home to rest because everything had become too overwhelming. I was convinced her family would persuade her not to return, so I prepared myself for the worst. But she came back. When I admitted my fears, she told me she鈥檇 never even considered it.

鈥淢y wife鈥檚 relocation nearly ruined our family鈥� 鈥� Joseph*, 44

My wife got an opportunity to relocate abroad, and it almost ruined our marriage. We had two young children, and I was running a business in Nigeria, so moving with her wasn鈥檛 an option. I asked her to wait because the timing felt wrong, but she thought I was sabotaging her future. The arguments got so bad that one day, she said if I couldn鈥檛 support her decision, we should go our separate ways.

Hearing that broke me. I stopped trying to change her mind and let her leave in 2022, even though I was convinced the distance would destroy our marriage. Surprisingly, it鈥檚 done the opposite. We visit each other regularly, speak throughout the day, and somehow have grown closer.

鈥淲e nearly ended our marriage over children鈥� 鈥� Nabila*, 34

My husband and I got married just before COVID, and our first major crisis was deciding when to have children. I鈥檇 just finished university and didn鈥檛 feel emotionally or financially ready to become a mum. But my husband wanted us to start trying immediately.

Lockdown made everything worse. We were stuck indoors, having the same argument over and over until I eventually moved into a separate room. Things became so tense that we involved our families. That鈥檚 when we realised we鈥檇 misunderstood each other. My husband thought I never wanted kids, while I was only asking for more time. He reluctantly agreed to wait, and in 2023, we welcomed our first child.

鈥淢y husband insulted my mum鈥� 鈥� Solape*, 37

My marriage hit its lowest point after my husband lost his job in 2016. We鈥檇 already been living in different states because of work, but when he became unemployed, he moved into my family home with me.

I became the breadwinner, and my mum wasn鈥檛 shy about expressing her frustrations. Tension kept building until one day my husband snapped. He insulted my mum and called her names while living under her roof.

I鈥檇 stood by him through everything, but I couldn鈥檛 overlook that. I asked him to move out and, for the first time, seriously considered ending our marriage. Eventually, I forgave him because he spent months apologising and working to rebuild my trust. He also found another job, and things gradually improved.

鈥淗e resented me for making him move back home鈥� 鈥� Faridah*, 28

My husband and I met while studying in the UK and got married shortly after. In 2024, our visas expired, and we became undocumented immigrants. After months of living in fear, I pushed for us to return to Nigeria.

He eventually agreed, but I could tell he resented the decision. After we moved back, he became distant. He stopped helping around the house and constantly reminded me that returning home was my idea. We argued so often that I genuinely feared our marriage wouldn鈥檛 survive.

My last resort was suggesting online therapy. Those sessions helped me realise his anger came from grieving the future he believed he鈥檇 lost in the UK. Once we understood that, we slowly found our way back to each other.

鈥淚 blamed my husband for my son鈥檚 death鈥� 鈥� Godiya*, 53

The hardest thing I鈥檝e ever experienced was losing my son last year. He was sent home from university with severe stomach pains while I was away on an official assignment. I trusted my husband to take care of him, but he didn鈥檛 realise how serious the situation was. Our son went to the hospital alone and collapsed a few hours later. He died that same day.

My grief quickly turned into anger. I kept thinking that if I鈥檇 been there, he鈥檇 still be alive. I blamed my husband so deeply that I moved out to live with my sister. At that point, I believed our marriage was over.

Prayer and time eventually softened my heart. I accepted that we couldn鈥檛 have prevented his death. Grieving together helped us find our way back to each other.

鈥淢y wife’s conversion tested our marriage鈥� 鈥� Mustapha*, 39

My wife converted to Christianity after nearly seven years together. Religion has always been important to me, and before we married, she’d chosen Islam for herself. I never imagined we’d one day be practising different faiths.

She also wanted our kids to go to church, while I wanted them raised as Muslims. That鈥檚 when the trouble started. My family joined me in pushing back against her decision.

For a while, I worried our marriage wouldn’t survive. Our families suggested separation, but neither of us wanted to walk away. Instead, we reached a compromise. Our two younger children attend church with her, while the older two practise Islam. Still, I worry this arrangement will create divisions in the future.

鈥淐aring for our son has consumed our marriage鈥濃�� Anointed*, 36

Our second child was born in 2021 with cerebral palsy, and since then, our lives have changed. Nobody prepared me for how easily a marriage can disappear under the weight of caregiving. 

My wife and I barely spend time together anymore. Every conversation is about our son, and we’re both constantly exhausted. I love my son, but I miss the marriage we used to have. I also worry about our first child, who has had to grow up faster than she should. We’re still together, but these days it feels like we’re just partners instead of husband and wife.

鈥淚 might leave my husband because of his habits鈥� 鈥� Salma*, 40

Between 2016 and 2018, my husband lost three jobs. The setbacks changed him completely. He withdrew into himself, developed an alcohol dependence, and became involved in gambling and questionable business deals. Along with that came constant lies. I never knew what to believe anymore until I stopped trusting him altogether.

Things got worse whenever I confronted him and he became violent. Last year, I was ready to walk away for good.  And that seemed to be the wake-up call he needed. 

Since then, he’s stopped drinking and has given up gambling. Right now, I’m waiting to see if this transformation is truly lasting before deciding what comes next. 

鈥淢y husband quit his job to start a church鈥� 鈥� Florence*, 34

In 2021, my husband announced that God had called him to quit his well-paying job and start a church. We had four young children, and I couldn’t understand how he expected us to survive on my salary alone.

I fought the decision every step of the way. I felt betrayed because this wasn’t the future we’d planned together. When he started selling some of our investments to fund the church, I became so frustrated that I moved back to my parents’ house.

At my lowest point, I considered ending our marriage. But despite my fears, he remained convinced this was what he was meant to do. Today, I still have concerns, but I’ve chosen to support him. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I’ve accepted that loving him means trusting him to follow the path he chose. 

鈥淢y wife’s spiritual practices almost ended our marriage鈥� 鈥� John*, 51

After my marriage in 2008, I discovered things about my wife that unsettled me. She identifies as Catholic, but also practises traditional rituals that make me uncomfortable. I would find strange objects around the house she insisted were for protection.

Whenever I asked her to stop, it always led to arguments. At one point, I no longer felt at ease in my own home. I even worried she might use those things against me. When we started having kids, I worried about the influence these practices might have on them.

There were many times I considered leaving, but I stayed for my kids. Over the years, I’ve accepted that I can’t control what she believes. Instead, we’ve agreed to keep our kids away from those practices, and that compromise has helped us maintain peace in our home.

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鈥淢arriage opened doors I never expected鈥� 鈥� Ibrahim*, 30

Money was one of the reasons I hesitated to get married. I loved my wife, but I didn’t feel financially ready. I worried that marriage would add more pressure to an already uncertain situation.

But from the beginning, my wife’s family treated me like one of their own. Her brother, especially, played a huge role in our lives. He supported us when we were starting out and eventually connected me to the opportunity that led to my current job.

People talk about the financial responsibilities that come with marriage, but I never expected it could also open doors. 

鈥淩elocating abroad pushed us apart鈥� 鈥� Uzo,* 31

A few months after we got married in 2024, my wife and I relocated to Canada. Before then, I imagined marriage would automatically mean more time together and a better sex life. Instead, the opposite happened.

We worked different shifts, so by the time I got home, she was leaving for work. When she returned, I was already gone. We were both trying to stay afloat financially in a new country, and our lives revolved around work.

The hardest lesson was realising that love alone wasn鈥檛 enough. Marriage still required effort and intention.

Things only improved after our first year, when we became more financially stable and deliberately started prioritising each other.

鈥淛oining our accounts was a big mistake鈥� 鈥� Janet*, 29

After our wedding in 2023, my husband suggested we operate a completely joint account. I didn鈥檛 mind sharing responsibilities, but we had very different attitudes towards money. I like saving and planning ahead. He likes spending.

The disagreements started when he expected complete transparency about my savings, even though he wasn鈥檛 contributing nearly as much to the account himself. My breaking point came when he used a large portion of our savings to buy a car we鈥檇 never discussed.

I was furious. Eventually, I ended the arrangement altogether. But that experience shaped finances in our marriage going forward. Now, we split household responsibilities and manage our finances separately.

鈥淚 gained an entire family鈥� 鈥� Ada*, 31

One of my biggest fears about marriage was having in-laws. I鈥檇 heard enough horror stories to convince myself there would be tension after the wedding. My husband comes from a very close-knit family, and because they all live near one another, I worried I鈥檇 constantly feel overwhelmed or scrutinised.

Instead, they welcomed me with open arms. At first, I assumed they were only making an effort because we were dating and they wanted the relationship to work. But years later, they鈥檙e still just as kind, supportive and involved in my life.

Nobody told me one of the best parts of marriage could be gaining a community of people who care about you.

鈥淚 struggled to accept I was his second choice鈥� 鈥� Biola*, 68

Before I married my husband in 1978, he had been courting my sister. They planned to marry, but while he was away at school, she moved on and married someone else. My father then encouraged him to consider me.

Even after our wedding, I couldn鈥檛 shake the insecurity. I constantly compared myself to my sister and struggled to settle into the marriage as a result.

But over the years, we鈥檝e built a beautiful life together. Gradually, I had to stop seeing him as the man who once loved my sister and started seeing him as my husband. Looking back, I鈥檓 grateful I didn鈥檛 allow those fears to define our marriage.

鈥淔inancial decisions were no longer mine alone鈥� 鈥� Seun*, 37

I鈥檝e always been close to my family and regularly supported my siblings financially. When I got married in 2019, my wife wasn鈥檛 comfortable with how much money I sent home, and we often argued about it.

At the time, I felt frustrated. It was my money, and I believed I should be able to help my family however I wanted. Eventually, I realised she wasn鈥檛 trying to stop me from supporting them. She was asking me to think about our future as a family unit.

It took many difficult conversations to find balance. I still support my family, but marriage requires far more compromise than I expected.

鈥淎djusting together was hard鈥� 鈥� Adam*, 29

Before I married my wife, we鈥檇 spent time together, but never long enough to see each other鈥檚 everyday habits. Then suddenly, we were sharing a home full-time.

She constantly complained about things that seemed insignificant to me, like how I cleaned my sponge or organised my side of the room.

At first, I felt she was being overly critical. Her tone irritated me, and I became defensive.

Over time, I had to accept the reality that marriage is largely about adjustment. We were two people raised differently. Our marriage has worked because I asked for her patience. I鈥檝e also made more effort with the things that matter to her.

鈥淲e weren鈥檛 prepared for long distance鈥� 鈥� Juwayriya*, 33

A few months after we got married in 2023, I got my first major job offer in another state. My husband and I assumed the distance would be temporary, but it has become one of the biggest challenges that鈥檚 shaped the start of our marriage.

We rarely see each other because I鈥檓 scared of road trips and can鈥檛 always afford flights. After the first year on the job, my husband asked me to move back because the arrangement clearly wasn鈥檛 working.

The distance has created tension, frustration and constant arguments. But I鈥檓 not ready to walk away from a job I worked so hard to get. Two years later, we鈥檙e still trying to find a balance.

鈥淚 struggled with losing my personal space鈥� 鈥� Success*, 37

I struggled with losing my personal space after marriage. I鈥檇 spent most of my adult life single and valued my independence.

My husband, on the other hand, wanted to do everything together. He was constantly affectionate and wanted to be involved in every part of my day. It got to the point where I could barely take a shower alone.

I knew it came from love, but I found it overwhelming. I also felt guilty because so many people would love a partner who was that attentive, while all I wanted was some space.

Eventually, I had to talk to him about it. He hated hearing it, but he鈥檚 made an effort to respect my boundaries. I鈥檓 also still learning how to share my space with someone else.

鈥淚 thought marriage would create boundaries with his friends鈥� 鈥� Aisha*, 28

One of the biggest surprises of getting married this year was realising my husband鈥檚 relationship with his friends wasn鈥檛 going to change.

I鈥檇 assumed marriage would naturally create more boundaries, but they鈥檙e always around. The issue isn鈥檛 just how often they visit. I struggle with some of their views and the way they talk about women.

My husband sees them as brothers and insists I鈥檒l eventually warm up to them. But that鈥檚 never going to happen.

鈥淚鈥檓 not comfortable with my wife鈥檚 job鈥� 鈥� Matthew*, 35

I鈥檓 a 35-year-old man married to a woman who works at a nightclub, and often gets home very late. When we were dating, I didn’t think it would be a problem. I knew what she did for a living and accepted it. But now that we’re married and live together, I’ve found it much harder to adjust than I expected.

There’s something different about waiting up for your spouse at odd hours and knowing you’ll go to bed alone most nights. It has made me realise that some things feel very different once you’re sharing a life with someone.

I’ve tried talking to her about finding ways to adjust her schedule, but she believes I knew exactly what I was signing up for, and she’s not wrong.

鈥淥ur marriage started with a family crisis鈥� 鈥� Ebuka*, 41

Shortly after our wedding in 2022, my wife鈥檚 family went through one crisis after another. Her father was involved in an accident, and not long after, her sister broke her leg and moved in with us for several months.

My wife was always caring for someone or dealing with an emergency.

I understood why she needed to be there for them, but it was hard. We never got the newlywed experience people talk about. We rarely had time alone, and the constant stress left her exhausted.

There were moments I felt frustrated, but I chose to support her through it. Looking back, I鈥檓 glad I did. 

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 prepared for how strict my husband could be鈥� 鈥� Mairo*, 49

One of the biggest shocks in my marriage was discovering a side of my husband I鈥檇 never seen before.

I knew he was disciplined, but after we got married in 2009, I realised he had very rigid ideas about how a wife should behave. He expected me home at certain times and often got upset when I didn鈥檛 meet those expectations.

Early in our marriage, I attended a friend鈥檚 party that ended around 10 p.m. By the time I got home, it was close to 11 p.m. My husband refused to let me into the house.

I stood outside and called someone from church to speak to him before he finally opened the gate.

We clashed often over issues like that, but over time we learned each other’s limits and found healthier ways to resolve disagreements. There’s far less friction than there used to be, but he鈥檚 still a disciplinarian at heart.

鈥淭he honeymoon phase hasn鈥檛 ended鈥� 鈥� David,* 35

During wedding prep, people warned us that things would change. They said the excitement would fade, and that, eventually, we鈥檇 grow tired of each other. Two years later, I’m still waiting for that to happen.

Of course, life hasn鈥檛 been smooth. We have bills, responsibilities and far less free time than we did while dating. But my wife is still my favourite person to spend time with.

Maybe it helps that we spent so much time together before marriage. Whatever the reason, I haven鈥檛 experienced the boredom people insisted was inevitable. If anything, living together has made us closer.

 *Names have been changed to protect the identity of the subjects.

If you loved this, you won’t want to miss the next episode. After the Affair follows couples who survived infidelity and stayed together. Dropping July 3rd.