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As we get off of our holiday high from eating great food and spending time with family, we’re starting to prepare to celebrate love in a few weeks. Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to take inventory of your relationship, as well as ask couples who have longevity how they sustain their union. For their February issue, Essence Magazine did just that, featuring comedian turned author, turned relationship expert, turned talk show host Steve Harvey and his wife Marjorie on their cover.

Those who grew up in the ‘90s have watched Steve Harvey’s somewhat transition effortlessly transition into the man of many talents that we see today. When asked what the secret to his success was, he told Essence:

“Everything I have is because of this girl right here.”

Marjorie Harvey, who has been Steve’s wife for seven years, actually met him in 1990 at a Memphis comedy club. Although he didn’t know her, Harvey announced to Marjorie while she sat in the audience, “I don’t know who you are but I’m going to marry you.” The two began dating shortly after and Marjorie in fact felt the same about her husband Steve — that he was indeed “The One.” Interestingly enough, Steve pulled a disappearing act on Marjorie.

Fifteen years later in 2005, the two reconnected. Steve stated he disappeared because he was not in a good place financially and needed to work on his career. “Before a man can be of use to a woman…he’s got to know who he is, what he does and how much he’s going to make.” Steve continued, sharing:

“Every great man has a woman… I didn’t say successful man, I said great man. Yeah, maybe you’re successful if you sign a $16 million NBA contract. But greatness is when you’re the husband and father you’re supposed to be. When everyone surrounding you looks up to you, depends on you, and you come through for them. That’s greatness. Do you think Dr. Martin Luther King was anything without Coretta? You take Michelle out of Barack Obama’s equation, and he is a whole other dude out there.”

The February issue of Essence Magazine lands on newsstands, January 10. What do you think of The Harvey’s marriage and Steve’s comments?

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