Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. open up about their strong marriage: ‘We still make each other laugh’

Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar have been married since 2002 and, while it’s not easy to make a relationship last in Hollywood, these two ’90s stars have managed to do just that.

The couple, who celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary in September, talked with Us Magazine about the not-so-surprising “secret” to making their marriage work, and it boils down to two things — communicating and making time for each other.

“Communicate. That’s the key. It’s about being present,” Gellar told the publication. “Listening is the most important thing.”

“We still make each other laugh,” her husband added. “And we treat each other with respect.”

It’s nice to see that these two take the time to make sure their partner feels valued, supported and needed — but what we really love is how much fun while they’re at it! As you can see from each of their personal Instagram accounts, they sure do know how to have a good time.

The pair looked adorable in matching outfits on Christmas Eve:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bryl0YxHIuk/

No mistletoe was needed for these two to share the love:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrvUszkn7g5/

They showed up for each other (in costume) on Halloween:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba7uSDlli9m/

And they celebrate opportunities to make each other feel important, as Prinze Jr. demonstrated with this special “Mama’s Day” post:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUF4hEBFgos/

Not only has the couple learned how to make time for each other, but they’ve also settled in to life with two kids along the way. Together, they share a 9-year-old daughter, Charlotte Grace, and a 6-year-old son, Rocky James. While work-life balance isn’t an easy thing to achieve, Gellar opened up about how she strives to make work and home life more manageable while speaking at a Create & Cultivate Conference:

“Wherever I am, I know I need to give 100 percent of myself,” she said. “When I am at home, I need to put the phone down and be focused, and when I am at work, that deserves my undivided attention.”

She mirrored that sentiment when she spoke about seizing even the smallest moments to spend with your significant other.

“Take the 10 minutes — put the phone down,” she told People magazine back in 2016. “Have a cup of coffee together. Walk the dog at the end of the night. Read a story with your kids. Make the most of the time that you have. We are all pulled in so many directions, so make sure that, whichever one you are focusing on, you’re present.”

So there you have it — quality time spent laughing and listening to each other is the key to creating a lasting marriage. At least that’s how these two make it work!