The first time the “L” word is dropped in a relationship is a pretty defining moment, transitioning a couple from like to love territory. For singer Carrie Underwood, who’s been married to her husband Mike Fisher for a decade, a word reversal is what made her realize her marriage was truly built on a solid foundation.

In a recent interview, the country star said a sweet moment with her husband during quarantine filled her heart with light during what’s been a dark time for many celebrity couples.

“He kind of summed it up one night,” she told Yahoo Entertainment. A couple weeks into  the quarantine, Underwood says Fisher turned to her and said, “You know what? I like you.” Given the timeline of their relationship, she admits she needed some initial clarification. “He was like: ‘I know I love you — we’ve been married 10 years this year and have two kids together… but this experience has shown me I like you, too.” Underwood says it was “such a nice moment,” and she quickly told him, “I like you, too.”

The couple met at one of Underwood’s concerts in 2008, and were engaged the following year. They tied the knot in July of 2010, and went on to have two sons — Isaiah, 5, and Jacob, 1. Though the pair has managed to avoid the curse that plagues so many Hollywood couples, Underwood admits quarantine has been difficult on their family.

“We’re not meant to be all together, all day, every day, she said. “At no other time in history has it been like this. There’s always been somebody working, somebody taking care of the kids, the kids going to school. No time in our humanness have we just all been together all day, every day.”

Indeed, couples have been feeling the strain of the pandemic, with Legal Templates reporting the divorce rate in the U.S. has increased by nearly 34% this year. According to their website, 45% of couples pursuing divorce have children under the age of 18 — placing Underwood and Fisher squarely into that category.

Underwood credits taking some “me time” each day to helping her get through this challenging time, even if it does come with self-proclaimed mom guilt. The singer has been busy during the pandemic, recording her Christmas album “My Gift”, and working on its accompanying holiday special. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country, Christian and Holiday charts. 

Despite the challenges of juggling work and raising children during a pandemic, Underwood says it was “refreshing” to learn their relationship was solid enough to withstand difficult times.

“We like each other. We love each other,” she said. “We can do this. We can work together even through the craziest of times.”

Her positive outlook is inspiring! What relationship advice would you offer to couples who are struggling?