Two couples talk about relationships and marriage.
By Ursula Lauriston
Alex and Madhuri
This week, everyone’s talking about love. And why not? True love is a beautiful thing. That’s why we found two couples, in two completely different stages of their relationships—one pair has been dating for about a year, while the other has been married for 25 years. Twenty Something caught up with them to find out what keeps these relationships going strong.
Meet Madhuri Jha and Alex Armentano. Both are 23 years old and live in the District. Madhuri works as a Senior Program Assistant and Alex serves as a Communications Assistant for a congressman on Capitol Hill.
Twenty Something: Tell me about how you met.
Madhuri: We both went to George Washington University and had the same group of friends. We went on three dates while attending GW but things kind of fell off after that.
Alex: One night last year we met up with a group of friends and went to Patty Boom Boom’s on U St. A Sean Paul song came on and we started making out to it. We’ve been dating ever since.
TS: Alex, what attracted you to Madhuri?
Alex: I think being friends with someone first is a really powerful thing. I already knew a lot about her so it was just really easy.
And she’s gorgeous so that helped.
TS: Madhuri what’s your favorite thing about Alex?
Madhuri: We have so much in common. We both love to be total goofballs who listen to old school hip-hop and hold hands.
A lot of times when you’re dating someone you don’t want him or her to see certain sides of you. With Alex, I can completely be myself. There’s such a level of comfort with us it allows us to get to know each other on an even deeper level.
TS: I know everything isn’t perfect, what are some things you could do without?
Madhuri: Alex has hardcore gas and I’m beginning to be concerned about the way his body digests food.
TS: What is different about this relationship when compared to all the other relationships you’ve each had?
Madhuri: This is the most mature relationship I’ve ever had.
Alex: She’s a woman and it’s a stark difference from the other girls I’ve been with.
Kristin and Lonnie Taylor
Meet Kristin and Lonnie Taylor. Kristin is an author and former White House Director of Media Relations, while Lonnie serves as Managing Director of a headhunting firm. The DC power couple met when they were only 23 years old. Today they reside in Great Falls, Virginia and have 2 adult children.
TS: What attracted you to one another?
Kristin: Lonnie’ presence precedes him when he walks into a room. He’s very genuine and that’s attractive.
Lonnie: Kristin has this X factor about her. There’s something appealing and alluring about Kristin and it’s still there today.
TS: Any plans for Valentines Day?
Lonnie: For Valentines Day we always surprise each other. Every year we just switch off and one person takes care of the details.
But the important part is that it’s always a complete surprise.
TS: Is that the key to being together for so long?
Kristin: Yes– spontaneity and communication.
TS: What are Twenty Something’s doing wrong when it comes to dating? Why are our relationships not lasting as long?
Lonnie: I think it’s the frame of mind. If the expectations are unreasonable then its not going to last. If you go into it not expecting much then you don’t put in enough effort.
When we started we had no hidden agenda. We were honest.
Kristen: We fell in love and knew that we were going to marry each other. So because of that we never gave up.
Pick up Kristin’s latest book, THE FOREVER BOX ($22.95). In the book Kristin shares the stories behind the mementos she keeps in her “forever box” and the lessons she learned from the significant women in her life.
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Ursula Lauriston is the author of Twenty Something, a social diary blog where she sounds off weekly on dating, D.C nightlife and events, career etiquette, and more. Follow me on twitter @urdiggy.
