Aguilera admits that even the most loving marriages require effort -- and a lot of patience.
Pop singer Christina Aguilera, who has been married to music executive Jordan Bratman for nearly five years, says their relationship hasn't changed much since they first began dating in 2002.
"Marriage unites you and makes you official, but it didn't change our relationship. All the things like wanting to work hard and play hard -- they were always important to us," Usmagazine.com quoted her as telling Cosmopolitan UK.
"We've been married for five years now, and I think the secret is in always keeping it interesting. You have to make time for yourselves. I leave little lipstick marks on the bathroom mirror for when he wakes up, and little notes written in lipstick on the mirror and in the shower. Little notes, little cards, little 'I love yous' here and there, just to keep things fun and alive," she said.
Still, the 'Not Myself Tonight' singer admits that even the most loving marriages require effort -- and a lot of patience.
"It's important to be open to growing together, and when the going gets tough, you have to see how you can make your relationship more special and how you can spend more quality time together," she said.
"Everyone has rough patches, everybody grows and we all change. It's important to give each other room to grow and to accept them for who they are.
Since giving birth to her son Max in 2008, the 29-year-old singer admits that motherhood has helped strengthen her relationship with her husband.
"Having Max has brought us closer together," she said.
"[Jordan] changed the first nappy while I was in bed recovering from my C-section -- and he's been so hands-on ever since.
"When I see them together it makes my heart sing and melt at the same time," she added.
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