Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's Love Story Will Make You Love Them Even More

From Country Living

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard are the first to admit that they're complete opposites.

Bubbly, happy-go-lucky Kristen, 37, grew up in a Christian household while tattoo-covered Dax, 42, has more of a rebellious history, struggling with substance abuse issues for many years. But since they got together 10 years ago, the two haven't been shy about their fondness for one another-and their passion for couples therapy sessions-making them a Hollywood pair everyone loves to love.

It all started back in 2007 when Kristen met the Parenthood star at a friend's birthday party. It certainly wasn't love at first sight. "When I met her and her friends, I was suspicious of their unbridled happiness, Dax told Good Housekeeping magazine. "I thought, 'something stinks here; they're in a cult.'" Sparks didn't fly until the pair ran into each other two weeks later at a Detroit Red Wings hockey game.

Soon after that run-in, Dax and Kristen, both originally from Michigan, began dating, but it wasn't always easy. "There were hurdles, things she didn't trust about me, things I didn't trust about her," Dax said. "I just kept going back to 'This person has the thing I want, and I have to figure out how we can exist peacefully.' So we started [seeing a therapist together] right away."

In fact, the couple have been open champions of therapy, sharing their experience and touting the benefits. "Therapy is not something to be embarrassed about," Kristen said. Dax and Kristen began couples therapy not long after they began dating instead of waiting for things to go south and running the risk it would be too late to save their relationship. "In my previous relationship, we went to couples therapy at the end, and that's often too late," Dax said.

Seven months after their first daughter was born, the pair married in a low-key, no-fuss ceremony in 2013. "We got married in a tiny room in the Beverly Hills courthouse, and it was still one of the best days of my life," Kristen told CBS News. It was just the two of them-no family, no friends, no party, no white dress. In fact, the entire event cost just $142.

Now the married couple have two daughters, Lincoln, 4, and Delta, 2. They go on date nights and often share sweet messages about each other on Instagram, but they both admit their marriage requires work. "You really have to be maintaining the relationship, and it is work," Dax told Today.com. "And it's often uncomfortable work, but it needs doing or we won't stay together."

And when all else fails, the two have one more big secret to maintaining their marriage: "A snuggle party can fix anything," Kristen said, "it's true."

You Might Also Like

• 33 Bulbs You Need to Plant This Fall for a Beautiful Spring Garden

• 26 Pumpkin Soups That Are Cozier Than a Warm Blanket

• 25 Crafts to Get You Ready for Fall