Couples testimony: “Our projects bound us”

Sandrine, 39, artistic director, married to Olivier, 41, a copywriter. Together for 10 years, with 2 girls

What was your state of mind when you met?
Sandrine: I met Olivier in my advertising agency. We worked together. Our intellectual chemistry was obvious immediately. We were both on the same wavelength and complementary in terms of skills. I had just left a complicated relationship and I was not ready for anything else.
Olivier: Me neither. I just broke up, I was fired from my last job…I was pretty depressed.

How did your love story happen? 
Olivier: We were not looking to seduce each other. It was sincere. It happened on its own. It was almost strange…
Sandrine: It happened one night, Olivier asked me to go to the movies. A month later, he took me to the Bus Palladium (a Parisian nightclub) and it was there that we kissed. I quickly began to fall for him, but Olivier was the one who admitted his feelings first.

What did you like about each other?
Sandrine: I loved that our relationship was natural, simple, we were not playing any roles, we were not trying to seduce. I also loved his sensibility, his slight fragility. Now, though, I admire his internal security. He was a little pampered by his mom. My father left me when I was 18 months.
Olivier: Sandrine listened to me. She released me from my stupor. I found her exciting and joyful, she made ​​me laugh. Even today, I love her artistic side, her imagination. And I encourage her from the bottom of my heart because she does not have enough confidence in herself. I also push her to do things for herself.

What is the secret of your longevity?
Sandrine: It is based on sincerity, communication and loyalty. Olivier has always been pretty clear on that. Our projects bound us together, we just bought a house and we are enjoying ourselves very much putting it together.
Olivier: The dialogue. We speak frankly when anything goes wrong. We also both want very much to make it work.

Read more from our  report “The secrets to a lasting relationship”:
Testimony: “Twice a year, we escape together”

 

Laurence Cochet