13 Newlyweds On Exactly How They Plan To Stay Faithful Forever

1. “On a whim the other night, my wife started reading this sexy book out loud to me and I was rapt. That led to some really fun experimenting. Totally new sexual territory for us. I just keep reminding myself that there’s so much more for us to do together. If you’re open-minded and committed to keeping the passion alive, there’s really nothing to worry about.”

— Phillip, 28

2. “I started giving my husband sexual coupons (e.g. “One start to finish blowie, redeemable with 48 hours notice) for special occasions a year or so into our relationship. He’s always loved them, and I think they give us both a healthy sense of security. He likes having a stash of sexual favors he can cash in, and I’m convinced the coupons keep his dirty thoughts centered on me. When it comes to marital loyalty, coupons might just be the best kept secret.”

— Elizabeth, 27

3. “People always assume it’s the man who’s more likely to cheat, but I’m way more sexual than my husband is. Luckily, I’m also an accomplished masturbator. As long as I’ve got a team of vibrators at my bedside, I won’t be tempted to dabble outside our marriage.”

— Valerie, 24

4. “I struggled with porn addiction a few years back, when my wife was still my girlfriend. When I came clean, it was a big blow to her self-esteem. But once she accepted that I had a problem, she came through with a genius plan. Instead of the typical date night, we stay home and make our own sexy videos. It keeps us connected—not just sexually but emotionally—and I am one hundred percent certain we’re gonna make it long-term without any affairs getting in the way thanks to DIY porn.”

— Juan, 33

5. “There was a moment when I came really close to making out with my colleague a few weeks after my husband and I tied the knot, but I pulled back just in time. I’m not naive enough to think that we won’t be tempted sometimes, but I feel like I’m programmed not to go there because I really do love my husband that much. And I know in my heart that he feels just as strongly.”

— Alexis, 34

6. “My wife’s horny af. I wouldn’t have married her otherwise because I’m a guy who needs to get laid at least once a day. But so does she! We’re a perfect match. Seriously, we’re the happiest couple I know.

— Tommy, 27

7. “Right after the wedding, my husband and I experienced the early onset of the Seven Year Itch syndrome. Neither of us was all that interested in intimacy—at least not with each other. But I’m a type-A lady and I refused to give up on us. I did a lot of research and we tried a bunch of things until we found something that works for us: A sex schedule. It might sound completely unsexy to schedule sex, but it’s not. My husband LOVES the guarantee of sex, and we both have fun sending each other dirty calendar invites. It’s such a simple measure, really, so I’m confident we’ll always be able to rekindle the flame whenever we need to.”

— Meredith, 28

8. “My wife and I married later than most of our friends, and all of them were always telling us that marriage would kill our sex life. So when we got engaged, we decided to be proactive about developing a really honest sexual dialogue. We started checking in with each other at least once a week just to make sure we’re both okay in all areas, including sex. You can’t assume someone’s happy. You have to ask them, and also be receptive to feedback if you want things to last.”

— Ezra, 36

9. “My husband threw his back out jet skiing on our honeymoon and he was bedridden for days. One morning he begged me for a ‘handy’ since he wasn’t really able to have sex. I refused because I thought a handjob would be bad for his back if he was wriggling his pelvis and hips. He got so mad, and started screaming about how he’d have to order a massage and a happy ending if I didn’t help him. I said, ‘Fine! But if you start taking liberties, I will too.’ Then we both cracked up because we knew we were both full of shit. There’s balance between us—even when we fight, you know? And we have this shared sense of humor we can count on to bring us back to solid ground.”

— Erin, 31

10. “Marriage is hard work and part of that work is keeping your partner sexually satisfied. I’m fortunate to be married to a woman who really understands that give-and-take. Sometimes we’re both really into making love, but sometimes one of us is clearly doing the other a favor in getting naked and that’s okay. We live by a kind of unspoken pact that keeps us both content.”

— Kenneth, 32

11. “We’ve only been married for six months, and let me tell you: After the wedding, there’s a definite drop off in the excitement level. The chaos ends and it’s easy to freak out. What I’ve realized is that it’s important to shape your own attitude every single day. You can stress out thinking, ‘oh my God, I’m stuck with one woman for the rest of my life,’ or you can take comfort in a thought like, ‘I am one lucky man to get to come home to an amazing woman every single night.’ Positive thinking, man. That’s how I do it.”

— Bob, 30

12. “I’m not shy. I’ll tap into my inner animal and get freaky in the sack and my husband knows he can’t get that from other women, necessarily. He dated a bunch of women who were sexual duds before we got together. If you want to make sure your partner doesn’t cheat, just be the best sex they can have.”

— Lily, 25

13. “I’ll tell you what my buddy told me about staying faithful for a lifetime: One day at a time. It’s the only way forward.”

— Calvin, 27