After more than two decades together, Penny Lancaster isn’t shy about celebrating the strength of her relationship with Rod Stewart—and she’s doing it with a sense of humor.

In a recent interview with Best Magazine, the 55-year-old opened up about their 26-year partnership and 18 years of marriage, joking about what it takes to make a relationship last that long. “Yes, 26 years! I deserve a medal, don’t I?” she said, before quickly adding, “Only joking.”

Lancaster and Stewart first met in 1999 when she was a student, and they married in 2007. Over the years, they’ve built a blended family, raising two sons together—Alastair Wallace and Aiden Patrick—while Stewart also had six children from previous relationships. With a full household and busy schedules, Lancaster said maintaining their connection takes intentional effort.

“We don’t take each other for granted and make sure we have date nights together … dinner, the theatre or whatever, doing the school run together and having an ‘a deux’ coffee on the way home, long romantic walks together,” she explained. “We flirt with each other and make each other laugh.”

That consistency, she suggests, is key. Rather than letting routine dull their relationship, the couple prioritizes shared moments—both big and small. Whether it’s a quiet coffee after school drop-off or a night out together, they make time to reconnect.

Lancaster also emphasized the importance of celebrating milestones. “We’re big on celebrating our anniversaries and really spoil each other,” she said. Those celebrations often come with meaningful touches tied to their history as a couple. “For instance, for our last wedding anniversary, we took a very romantic train trip from Paris to Portofino because Rod proposed to me in Paris and we got married in Portofino.”

For Lancaster, those moments aren’t just about looking back—they’re about continuing to build something together. “We love reminiscing about our life together and also making plans for the future — more romantic trips,” she added.

But perhaps the most surprising insight she shared is that time apart can be just as important as time together. According to Lancaster, giving each other space is one of the biggest factors in keeping their relationship strong. Having that independence, she said, “really keeps the spark alive.”

It’s a perspective that may feel counterintuitive in a culture that often emphasizes constant togetherness. But for Lancaster and Stewart, balance seems to be the key—staying connected while also allowing room for individuality.

After 26 years, Lancaster’s lighthearted “medal” comment reflects something deeper: a relationship that has endured through intentional effort, mutual appreciation, and a commitment to keep growing together. And if her advice is any indication, lasting love isn’t about grand gestures alone—it’s about showing up, staying engaged, and never taking each other for granted.