The Daily Work of Marriage: Sterling K. Brown's Secrets to a Strong Partnership
A Lifetime of Love and Learning
Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathé's relationship began as college sweethearts at Stanford in the late 1990s, but it wasn't always smooth sailing. The couple broke up, only to reconvene and eventually marry in 2006. Today, they share two sons, Andrew and Amaré, and have been praised for their honest partnership, which has been showcased on their podcast 'We Don't Always Agree.' Launched in 2024, the podcast explores marriage, parenting, faith, and race, normalizing disagreement and demonstrating how couples can work through hard things without erasing differences. The couple's commitment to each other was recognized when they won an NAACP Image Award in 2025 for their podcast.
The Power of Small Acts
Brown credits small acts of recommitment and candid conversations as the key to keeping their partnership steady. He emphasizes that marriage is a daily choice, requiring effort and dedication from both partners. The couple's 'six-second kiss' ritual is just one example of how they prioritize physical touch and intimacy in their busy lives. Brown also jokes about leaning on his 'This Is Us' character, Randall, to remind himself to stay present and empathetic.
A Daily Practice of Choosing Each Other
For Brown, the takeaway from their experience is that long relationships rely not just on grand gestures but on habits that say, every day, 'I choose you.' He believes that by showing up for each other and making a conscious effort to reconnect, couples can build a strong foundation for their partnership. The couple's use of the adage 'WWRD — What Would Randall Do?' is a playful reminder to nudge more empathetic responses in daily life.
Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathé's story serves as a powerful reminder that marriage is a journey, not a destination. By choosing each other every day, even in the midst of chaos, couples can build a strong foundation for their partnership. Their commitment to honesty, empathy, and everyday recommitment is an inspiration to us all, and we can learn from their example by prioritizing our own relationships and making small acts of love and kindness a daily practice.
