Jeff Bridges and his wife, Susan, continue to be deeply in love after 48 years of marriage. Recently, Jeff, 74, shared insights into maintaining a strong relationship, and let’s just say it was definitely some stellar advice!

Jeff and Susan first met in 1975 while Jeff was filming Rancho Deluxe. At the time, Susan was a 21-year-old waitress at a restaurant in Paradise Valley, Montana. The couple tied the knot on June 5, 1977, and have remained together ever since.

In a 2018 interview with Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist, Jeff admitted that securing a first date with Susan (née Geston) wasn’t easy. “I’m doing this scene with Sam Waterston and Harry Dean Stanton and I cannot take my eyes off this gorgeous, I didn’t know what she was, a maid, a waitress, I couldn’t take my eyes off of her,” Bridges recalled of their first encounter.

“Gorgeous girl with two black eyes and a broken nose. That juxtaposition of that disfigurement and the beauty, it had me!” he added.

Bridges explained that once he “finally got the courage to ask her out,” she initially “said no.” However, he saw her again at the wrap party for the 1975 movie. “We danced and we fell in love and boom that was it,” Bridges told Geist. “I actually have a photograph of that moment, when we met and my wife saying no. Somebody just took a picture of that. I have that.”

Ahead of being honored at the 49th Chaplin Award Gala in New York City earlier this year, Jeff, 74, told EXTRA: “Don’t get a divorce — that’s key. And meet all those ups and downs as kind of challenges and opportunities.”

“Keep it fun,” Susan advised, while Jeff added, “Have as much fun as you can,” emphasizing that having Susan by his side “makes it all worthwhile.”

Reflecting on their enduring relationship, Jeff noted: “It’s when those big challenges, those upsets come up in your relationship, those are real opportunities to get to know each other more and become more intimate with each other, try to see what makes each other tick.”

Jeff and Susan have shared nearly five decades together, building a life filled with love and resilience. Their relationship is a testament to the strength and joy that can be found in a committed partnership. Through all the highs and lows, they have managed to keep the fun and excitement alive, which Jeff believes is crucial.

The couple shares three daughters: Isabelle, 42, Jessica, 40, and Haley, 38.