Wendi McLendon-Covey Credits Her Lasting Marriage To Avoiding This One Holiday

Wendi McLendon-Covey has been married to her husband, Greg Covey, since 1996 and they have remained steadfast ever since. However, there is one standard holiday that the couple doesn't celebrate: Valentine's Day. And she credits this curious omission with the secret to her happy and long marriage. 

McLendon-Covey spoke on Live with Kelly and Ryan on February 8, 2022, and because she was wearing a red shirt, Ryan Seacrest asked her if she and her hubby had any Valentine's Day plans. "Here we are, 25 years later, not celebrating Valentine's Day," McLendon-Covey began, "which is the key to a lasting marriage. There is nothing in Valentine's Day that you need to be a part of." The comedian joked that she'll be doing sheet masks while her husband does whatever he wants on Valentine's Day. Seacrest was genuinely shocked by this news and couldn't believe that McLendon-Covey and her husband didn't mark the romantic holiday with any ritual, not even dinner. But McLendon-Covey stood by her relationship belief. 

For those familiar with McLendon-Covey's humor and fresh frankness, this no-nonsense attitude towards Valentine's Day and marriage in general is right on-brand for the star. She has a habit of telling it like it is. For instance, McLendon-Covey is an open book about her plastic surgery, and we love the honesty. It comes as no shock that she's equally open about the counter-cultural practices that make her marriage work. 

Wendi McLendon-Covey and Greg Covey have tapped into an approach towards marriage that clearly really works for them. The duo seem to enjoy a low-pressure relationship by fostering genuine connection and intimacy without forcing it, as one might be tempted to do on Valentine's Day. According to Psychology Today, removing high expectations from a relationship allows a couple to feel accepted. Low-pressure relationships also foster more spontaneity, as the couple can express romance and affection when it feels natural instead of when they're expected to do so. On February 15, 2026, McLendon-Covey had fun with their anti-Valentine's Day stance again, posting a picture of her and her husband at a party with Brad Pitt behind them. "We don't celebrate Valentine's Day, but I do enjoy posting this picture every now and then. Super Husband [Greg] is the king of my world, regardless of who might be standing right behind us." 

While Hollywood isn't necessarily a bastion of marital examples, there are a few couples who have stood the test of time and shared their wisdom. "Abbott Elementary" star Sheryl Lee Ralph's marriage thrives despite their unconventional living arrangement. Similarly, there are strange things in Ciara and Russell Wilson's marriage that may be the secret to their success. The common denominator amongst these happy marriages — McLendon-Covey's marriage being a prime example — is that sometimes letting go of unrealistic expectations in relationships is actually the key to thriving as a couple.