The Secret to a Strong Marriage: Date Nights with Your Spouse!

“We’ve been together for almost 20 years,” is how Polina Matveycheva, wife of renowned businessman Alexander Matveychev, founder and CEO of PNEVMOTEH, often captions photos with her husband. It’s hard to believe, given their youthful appearance. The couple has two sons: 4-year-old Kirill and infant Artyom. We sat down with Polina to discuss how they met, their daily routines, and how they make time for romance. Polina shared her secrets to balancing family life and personal interests, and the principles that help them maintain harmony in their marriage despite the demands of business and parenthood.

From Teenage Friends to Life Partners

Polina and Alexander first met as teenagers in their hometown of Seversk, Tomsk Oblast. “We were both 13 and met in a local chat room,” Polina recalls. “We had so much in common that my mom had to install a second phone line in our apartment because the first one was always busy.” They remained close friends throughout high school, and Polina felt like they had known each other forever.

After graduation, Alexander moved to Belarus to attend Polotsk University, and they lost touch. About a year later, they reconnected online. When Alexander visited his father in Seversk, they met in person, and sparks flew.

Polina was studying architecture and, a year after their reunion, had an internship in Suzdal, near Moscow. They planned to meet there and spent a wonderful weekend together in Moscow. After that, Polina began looking for ways to transfer to a university in Belarus. In September 2009, she moved to Minsk, met Alexander’s relatives, and fell in love with the city. They welcomed the New Year together, and for the next year and a half, they saw each other almost every weekend until Alexander graduated and moved to Minsk for work.

Keeping the Romance Alive

Maintaining a strong relationship with a busy schedule requires effort and planning. Polina and Alexander use shared calendars to coordinate their schedules and make time for each other. “To plan something together, we have to open our calendars and the nannies’ schedules,” Polina laughs. They have a nanny for their older son, Kirill, and recently hired another one for Artyom.

Polina believes that being well-rested is essential for a happy family life. Having nannies allows her to take breaks and socialize. For instance, she attended a New Year’s party with her women’s group while Alexander was away on a business trip.

The couple also believes in transparency and open communication. They have access to each other’s calendars and can adjust them as needed. “Alexander has given me access to his calendar, so I can see his meetings and add our joint activities,” Polina explains. “My schedule is also open to him, although he checks it less often than I do.”

Family Traditions and Quality Time

One of the Matveychevs’ cherished traditions is their weekly date nights. “We make it a point to go out together at least once a week, whether it’s to the theater, cinema, or a restaurant,” Polina says. Since Artyom’s birth, they’ve been opting for cafes near their home where they can take the stroller. Kirill has even started asking to join them on their dates.

Polina emphasizes the importance of communication in maintaining a strong relationship. “It’s not enough to just live together; you need to constantly talk and share your feelings,” she says. However, with a busy schedule, finding time and energy for heart-to-heart conversations can be challenging. The birth of a child is a stressful time for the entire family, and Polina is no exception. To navigate these challenges, the couple decided to see a family psychologist. “It was a turning point for us,” Polina shares. “We could discuss all our accumulated issues and improve our understanding of each other.”

Appreciating Each Other’s Qualities

Polina admires Alexander’s activity, generosity, and willingness to help others. “He’s always full of ideas,” she says. From Alexander, Polina has learned to plan her time effectively and now regularly uses a calendar, especially since the birth of their first child and the hiring of a nanny.

However, there are some habits that Polina finds less endearing. “Sometimes, Alexander is too eager to help people, even when they don’t ask for it,” she admits. “He can be quite persistent. For example, when I was still in university, he arranged for me to have an internship at a construction site where he worked, without even telling me.”

Balancing Work and Family Life

Polina acknowledges that Alexander dedicates a lot of time to work but accepts it as part of who he is. “We’re all different, and everyone has their own priorities in life,” she says. She also participates in his work, such as designing the renovation project for the company’s new office.

The family makes it a point to spend quality time together, whether it’s vacations or business trips. They enjoy skiing in the winter and beach getaways in the summer. Kirill first joined them on a ski trip when he was just 4 months old. They also explore Belarus by car and attend business camps together, such as the Family Day event organized by the Atlanty community in Moscow.

Self-Care and Support

To avoid burnout, Polina has introduced “mom’s weekends” once a month. She and a group of friends, all young mothers, rent a cottage near Minsk and enjoy a girls’ weekend away. They relax, visit the sauna, and dine at restaurants, giving them a chance to recharge and share their experiences in business and family life. “It’s also a great opportunity to get a good night’s sleep without being woken up by the kids,” Polina adds.