Tia Mowry-Hardrict & Cory Hardrict Have All The Answers On How To Maintain A Successful Marriage

When it comes to lessons in love, married couple Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Cory Hardrict have a gem or two.

This year, the couple, who have been married since 2008, celebrated nine years of marriage together. And although they are always quick to say that things are never perfect between them, they do admit that like wine, they have only gotten better with time.

Last month, the beloved couple made headlines when they announced that they were expecting a second child together. Shortly after, Tia took to her YouTube channel Tia Mowry's Quick Fix to answer some questions that fans were dying to know, and she included her hubby Cory in the mix as a special guest. Cory and Tia have always been open about their love, and this Q&A was no different. On it, they talked candidly about favorite memories, the power of prayer, how they met, and of course, how they make their nearly 20-year relationship work. Read on for some of our favorite moments!

During the chat, Cory admitted that when they first met, he had little to nothing compared to the much more successful Tia. In fact, they met while working on a horror film together in 1999, but didn't actually begin a friendship until she and her twin sister Tamera picked him up from the bus stop they saw him waiting at. After a year of being strictly platonic, the two started dating.

"I knew Tia was the one for me when she was in my corner when I moved to LA – when I moved to Inglewood, and I had like two pairs of drawers to my name. I was dirt poor, I didn't have anything, and she appreciated everything for what it was, and she loved me for me. I knew once I could get better in a financially in a better situation that I was going to buy her a ring and that was going to be my wife. And here we are, so that's when I knew she was the one for me… because it was real love. It's not perfect, now…We might fight when I get home, but that's real love."

In their Q&A, Tia revealed that she wasn't looking for anything when Cory came into her life, but his patience with her and what she wanted paid off. Never forcing it, he allowed her to go at a pace that was truly her own. And to this day, it is a trait of her husband's that she cherishes.

"He just had loads of patience for me. Remember when I said, 'I'm not really sure if I want to get in a relationship right now, I just need some time.' And he was just, right there for me and held my hand. He had a lot of patience with everything. He never forced himself to kiss me or anything like that. I just thought that that was just cool and amazing. Not only that--he taught me how to believe in myself – I don't know why I'm about to cry (tears up) …More than I believe in myself. He's my biggest supporter. You're my biggest fan."

When it comes to keeping the spark alive in long-term relationships, Tia had a simple yet effective solution of how she and Cory keep their nearly two decades long relationship feeling new, and it has everything to do with quality time.

"We still date each other. I think it's important to still try to woo your significant other. Yeah, you 'have' them and you're married, but that doesn't mean you have to give up. So, still like dress nice for your significant other and put on that, you know, what does Beyoncé say? Freakum dress? (laughs) We definitely make sure that we have date night at least once a week or once every two weeks where it's just him and I."

It's been inspiring to watch Tia and Cory's relationship grow over the years. They are a true example of marriage and family goals. The couple have opened up in the past about how the absence of gender roles has helped their marriage but also offered some additional words of advice to having a successful marriage in the Q&A.

"I think the secret to a successful marriage is forgiveness. There are going to be times when you do something to someone that hurts their feelings. Whether it's an action or it's something that you say, you have to be willing to forgive. I also think it's important to uplift your significant other… Sometimes we always focus on the things that we need to work but I think it's really important to celebrate the things you are doing great within a marriage."

A happy marriage is much better said than done, but Tia and Cory's love story makes it seem like it is a possibility after all. To hear the full story of how Tia and Cory's gotten their love to flourish, watch their full Q&A chat below.