On the day meant to celebrate romantic couples everywhere, we look to 14 Houston dynamic duos who are mostly definitely doing it right. Deftly traversing the worlds of sports, food, fashion, business, design, and more, these locals tackle the daily obligations of family, frantic schedules, fame, and all of life's obligations and pressures — yet still manage to make time for each other.
With that in mind, we asked these notable locals five questions about their partner and relationship. Some answers were hilarious, others were poignant, all made it clear why these Houstonians are totally #couplegoals. We may never look at them the same way again.
Cheers, then, to these humble Houston power pairs. We wish them a happy Valentine's Day and nothing but love — each and every day.
Alex and Reagan Bregman
Reagan and Alex Bregman at one of their many events.
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
With respect to others in town, we've been following Alex Bregman — from his comeback to his surprising hard-working Houstonians — off the field for years. While he may be a Houston Astros All Star, two-time World Series champion (we'll never forget our on-field Minute Maid Park moment after the Game 6 win), and budding Breggy Bomb magnate, he's quick to point out that his first role is husband to wife Reagan and now, father to his adorable son Knox. (Also, we can't help but picture little Knox in an Astros uniform one day). Reagan, meanwhile, runs a successful athleisure brand, Exiza, and has been a fixture on local TV as a guest host as well as a popular influencer, with more hosting gigs in her future. Then there's Bregman Family Racing, the couple's foundation, Bregman Cares, and the nonstop life of a celeb couple. However, away from the glam, the Bregmans are all about fam — and are truly a grand slam pair.
First impression
Reagan Bregman: I thought Alex was smart and kind.
Alex Bregman: I thought Reagan was beautiful and intelligent.
Favorite thing about your partner
RB: His energy and excitement for life.
AB: How positive and fun she is. I love her smile.
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
RB: Putting his feet on the table (or my chair).
AB: Reagan being in charge of directions on a road trip (especially when she’s not using Apple Maps).
Favorite Houston date spot
RB:Right now, it’s Zanti. I love the atmosphere.
AB:El Tiempo.
Your own couple goals
RB: Rihanna & ASAP Rocky.
AB: Both of our parents.
Bun B and Queenie
Bun B and Queenie at CultureMap's Tastemaker Awards.
Photo by Emily Jaschke
No matter where he goes, Houston's Trill OG, hip-hop icon, and unofficial mayor always ensures that the world knows that behind this great man is a great woman, in this case, his wife, Queenie. The couple met in the summer of 1996, and the rest is now hip-hop history. As Bun B prepares to make Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo history again with his Southern Takeover and also launch his first Trill Burgers brick and mortar location, he knows his always immaculate Queen will be steadfastly by his side. Here, our OG fields the questions.
First impression
Bun B: That’s exactly my type of woman. Her looks, build, and laugh did it.
Favorite thing about your partner
Bun B: Her discernment. She can see people and situations for what they truly are.
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
Bun B: Let’s just say her sleep habits. But that’s more that mutual [laughs].
Favorite Houston date spot
Bun B: Hidden Omakase.
Your own couple goals
Bun B: Ladrena and DJ January [Queenie's sister and her husband].
Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens
Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens at the Una Notte in Italia gala.
Photo by Quy Tran
She, quite simply, is Houston's G.O.A.T. and the most decorated female gymnast of all time. He may call himself "just a kid from St. Louis" on Instagram, but Owens is also a breakout star and safety for the Houston Texans (and, as we've witnessed, a killer on the runway during fashion shows). Throughout the worldwide scrutiny as Biles navigated the 2022 Tokyo Olympics (and her mental break), Congressional hearings, and finally, some time for herself, she has counted on this stout and suave safety to be her protection. The world now waits as the vibrant — and now engaged — couple counts down to their wedding (an event sure to break the internet.) Our man J.O. fields the questions here.
First impression
Jonathan Owens: My first impression of Simone was that she had an amazing personality, conversation came easy, and she loved to laugh. We hit it off right away.
Favorite thing about your partner
How thoughtful she is. She’s amazing at planning ahead for things, really keeps me on my toes. We are a great balance.
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
JO: How early she loves to get to the airport she’s a planner so she always wants to get there at least 2 hours before. Me, personally, I’m more lax about it and usually get there one hour before, but I always make it on time. It’ll stress her out if I have her there that late [laughs].
Favorite Houston date spot
JO: We love to go to Moxies in the Galleria area.
Your own couple goals
JO: We don’t really have any couples that we look up to necessarily, but we love to see LeBron [James] and his wife Savannah and their own family dynamic and how well their kids tuned out.
Aaron Bludorn and Victoria Pappas Bludorn
Victoria Pappas Bludorn and Aaron Bludorn at their red-hot Bludorn restaurant.
Photo by Julie Soefer
The celebrated Houston restauranteurs are the power couple behind the eponymous restaurant Bludorn and now, the modern-seafood concept, Navy Blue, which Texas Monthly just named the Best New Restaurant in Texas. The duo met in New York City while working for the James Beard award-winning chef Daniel Boulud and bonded over their mutual love for food and travel. Now parents to two boys, they work side-by-side overseeing booming Houston restaurant destinations.
First impression
Victoria Pappas Bludorn: Well, I couldn't help but think he was super handsome! And still do!
Aaron Bludorn: I thought she was extremely beautiful, poised and confident, a Greek beauty. She was touring the kitchen at Café Boulud, where I was the chef at the time, after she had just beenhired at the main office. We were both in relationships at the time, a few years later we weren’t and when our HR director at Dinex told me she was single and that I should ask her our, I jumped at the opportunity! The rest is history.
Favorite thing about your partner
VPB: Aaron is full of surprises! There's never a dull moment, and he almost always seizes an opportunity to have some fun. It's infectious!
AB: There are so many things but most of all it is her compassion for all those around her. Her love for our children is second to none, she gives her life to others and that is so amazing to me.
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
VPB: Aaron gives 100 percent to all that he does and sometimes that means "taking things up a notch." He's going all out for Halloween — no snack sized candy at our house, full sized candy bars; he's getting a new Astros hat every season, flying off to see a concert for 36 hours. All the excitement can wear me out, but the memories are worth it!
AB: Well, there are certain lanes we both have. I recognize that I will be forever in charge of taking out the garbage.
Favorite Houston date spot
VPB: We love to walk to Better Luck Tomorrow for a cocktail then head to Coltivare for dinner.
AB: Coltivare!
Your own couple goals
VPB: My parents and his! My Mom and Dad raised five kids while my Dad built restaurants —I'm so grateful to have a front-row seat to their loving partnership. And Aaron's parents — who traveled the world and instilled a sense of adventure in all three of their boys.
AB: [One of my goals] is to find more time to spend together, both with just the two of us and as a family.
Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Reagan and Alex Bregman rock the red carpet at the CMA Awards.
Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin
Bill Baldwin and Fady Armanious are social stars.
Photo by Daniel Ortiz
Fashion mastermind Armanious and his partner of nine years Baldwin are self-described "opposites" who complement each other in every way. Fashion director at high-end fashion emporium, Tootsies, Armanious is a style powerhouse choosing looks from the runways of Paris, Milan, and New York. He is sought after by both Houston-based and celebrity fashionistas alike. Baldwin is the owner of the boutique real estate firm Boulevard Realty. Whether jet-setting to a fabulous international location with friends, donning ultra-glam outfits for an event, or cooking a low-key dinner at home, they do it in style.
First impression
Fady Armanious: He was cocky, and oh boy, this is not going to go well!
Bill Baldwin: No one wears a speedo like that!
Favorite thing about your partner
FA: His heart, blue eyes, and the fact that he is so kind.
BB: He likes to do things together.
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
FA: He buys books every day! If I'm not home, he will always eat a Turkey roll-up – basically, turkey wrapped in cheese and then he will watch The West Wing.
BB: He is on his phone [Instagram, reels, etc.] a lot.
Favorite Houston date spot
FA: We have a good rotation of locally owned restaurants, and I cook a lot.
BB: Coltivare — it's where we went on our first date.
Your own couple goals
FA: Every couple is different, so you must do what works for you. Making an effort is most important in a relationship, but so is love, happiness, respect, gratitude, trust, and affection.
BB: Lynn Wyatt and Oscar Wyatt.
Dror and Helene Zadok
Houston gems Dror and Helene Zadok.
Photo courtesy of Zadok Jewelers
Dazzling Houston's jewelry enthusiasts since 1976, Dror and Helene Zadok have grown their business from a humble 1,200 square-foot store into a stunning 28,000 square-foot two-story jewelry mecca in luxurious Post Oak Place. The well-heeled duo was inducted into the National Jeweler's Retailer Hall of Fame in 2018 and share their business with their three sons, Jonathan, Segev, and Gilad. Now proudly working alongside the seventh generation of family jewelers, the Zadoks will celebrate half a century of being a Houston mainstay in 2026. The regal Helene fields our questions.
First impression
Helene Zadok: The first time we met was when I walked into Dror's jewelry and antique store and asked him about an article I saw in the window. He looked at me strangely, and I thought he was a bit weird — or perhaps I had some dirt on my face, and he didn't know how to tell me. As it turned out, he later told me that he was fascinated by my eyes and couldn't help staring.
Favorite thing about your partner
HZ: My favorite thing about Dror is that he always wants to care for me while respecting my individuality and independence.
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
HZ: Dror is my personal Energizer Bunny, i.e., he does things quickly — sometimes too quickly. For example, one early morning, I got out of bed to use the restroom, and when I returned, he had already made the bed. I often prepare my coffee, milk, etc., and leave the kitchen for a few minutes while the coffee is still brewing. When I returned, he had already returned the coffeemaker to its place, the milk to the fridge, my coffee cup still empty, leaving me exasperated and laughing.
Favorite Houston date spot
HZ: In the garden of our home, on a two-person swing, next to our waterfall and creek. Just chillin'.
Your own couple goals
HZ: We look up to couples who have found a way to manage life's ups and downs and still want to continue on life's journey together. Additionally, after many years together, they continue to enjoy each other's company and new experiences together.
Armando Palacios and Cinda Murphy Palacios
Hospitality powerhouses Armando and Cinda Palacios.
© Michelle Watson CatchLightGroup.com
Most in Houston know Armando as the famed founder/owner of his eponymous and iconic Tex-Mex restaurant, Armandos, now toasting its 45th year in River Oaks as the place to see and be seen (and anything else on a Thursday night). Armando, who fell for Cinda when he hired her architecture firm to handle his home remodel years ago, now also owns River Oaks hot spot Lulu's with his wife. The couple are also behind the country-chic Hotel Lulu in Round Top, which is named for Cinda's adorable family nickname, plus other fast casual eateries. (Pro tip: Look for charming host Cinda when vacationing at Hotel Lulu). When not commuting between Houston and Round Top, the duo is hard at work building their Palacios Murphy restaurant/hospitality group.
First impression
Cinda Murphy Palacios: I met Armando when I was working as an architect and he was wanting to redo his house on Center Street before Washington Avenue and the Rice Military area was the bustling destination it is now. He was tall, handsome, and incredibly opinionated — not much has changed.
Armando Palacios: Cinda was confident, has incredible taste, and is the ultimate doer with endless energy.
Favorite thing about your partner
CP: Armando gets it — he has vision and understands what is going on within the cultural landscape. He is incredibly cool, resourceful and can turn anything into lemonade…or a gin martini.
AP: Cinda is an implementer who can make anything happen. She has often been the only woman at the table in her professional career and is never intimidated by anyone, because she knows she can navigate almost any situation successfully. She can get anything across the finish line with style and grace.
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
CP: Armando is the consummate ideas guy — he has so many ideas and dreams and he has never aged out of dreaming big. Sometimes I can’t keep up, but he’s full of vision and is always right.
AP: That sleeping until 7 am is considered “sleeping in”. Sometimes, a little leisure is a good thing!
Favorite Houston date spot
CP: Lulu’s or Armandos of course!
AP: Lulu’s, Armandos, and Kata Robata.
Your own couple goals
CP:The Obamas.
AP: George and Amal Clooney.
Adrian Dueñas and Marcelo Saenz
Dreamy design minds Marcelo Saenz and Adrian Dueñas.
Photo by Wilson Parish
Like all our Houston couples, Adrian Dueñas and Marcelo Saenz are enormously talented, polished, and dutifully humble. The co-owners of BeDesign, a one-stop shop of luxury design wares and goods offering everything from furniture to lighting, the Dueñas and Saenz together are a chamring fixture on Houston's society circuit; Dueñas always with a quick introduction for strangers, the somewhat more reserved Saenz always offering a warm greeting. The pair met in Quito, Ecuador 23 years ago and have been a design duo ever since. Look for more developments from these two: It's fair to say that if it's well-designed, luxe, and eye-catching, Dueñas and Saenz are involved. The gregarious Dueñas fields our questions.
First impression
Adrian Dueñas: The first time I saw Marcelo, he was coming from a big hotel project where he was designing the interiors. He came to a party in his construction site clothes and he caught my attention immediately — he was the only one in jeans and looked so cool! Sort of a hip "architect" look with glasses and dirty jeans... what else could a man ask for?
Favorite thing about your partner
AD:My favorite thing about him is the way he takes care of others, including me. He puts the needs of others ahead of his own, and I've never met someone as caring, warm, and genuine.
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
AD:Our pantry is organized with tags and labels for each group of food: one of them reads, "Adrian's Junk Food." Marcelo will never own up to it, but he eats all of it and then acts like nothing happened. I lost that battle! Also, he leaves a small amount of food on his plate when we have dinner at home, and then gives it to our dog Mango the moment my back is turned.
Favorite Houston date spot
AD: Our favorite date spot in Houston is definitely BCN Taste & Tradition. We both lived and studied in Spain and it always makes us feel right at home!
Your own couple goals
AD: We have a long list of couple goals and half of it is checked off! After 23 years together, we want to keep our family strong through caring, lots of travel, freedom, and love. We just want to age gracefully and take less stress over the companies we own. The goal is to consciously appreciate each other's company without checking the clock. We've lived in so many different cities, and have moved nine times in our 23 years together. It's time to slow down and enjoy long stretches of time in the cities we love. Sometimes, we can all forget what really is the most important thing: to enjoy the best parts of our lives together.
Nick and Sneha Merchant
Nick and Sneha Merchant brings smiles wherever they go.
Photo by Quy Tran
Emblematic of Houston's status as a center for globally aware, civic-minded, and purposeful patrons, Nick and Sneha Merchant are committed to beautifying the world around them, from Sneha's visually striking pop art creations to the couples' goal to treat impoverished children suffering from cleft palates through their work with nonprofit Operation Smile. (Sneha has served as chair for Houston gala, even scoring international star Henry Golding as a surprise guest). Fashionable, jet-setting, but never taking themselves too seriously, the couple manage their numerous retail, real estate, and hospitality ventures and charitable work (Sneha now sits on UNICEF's national board). Their greatest work is watching their son Zaryan and daughter Zenya blossom into equally dynamic humans and future stars.
First Impression
Nick Merchant: I was charmed, not just by her looks, but also her fun loving personality.
Sneha Merchant: When I met Nick for the first time, I was 16 and smitten! I knew I had found my best friend for life!
Favorite thing about your partner
NM: One of the attributes of Sneha that I always admire is her positive energy. She tends to bring that with her into very room she walks into. That along with her happy , bubbly personality.. makes every person she encounters, end up in a better mood on meeting her.
SM: Nick is one of the most kindest humans I have ever met, I admire the way Nick balances his life, he always has time for his children and he is always available to his employees, He’s a great father and a damn good boss.
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
NM: There is this facet of Sneha’s personality that barely anyone knows — is that she can double as an online private investigator! She can go into depths and find out all the facts and details about any particular subject. For example, if there is a commercial property I need to know history about before placing an offer, I can rely on Sneha to find out every possible relevant — and, irrelevant — history she can dig up about the property and even the sellers!
SM: Nick is not one to try new things at ease...like restaurants. If he loves it, then we are dining there every Saturday for the entire year. We have spent the last seven summers in Cannes and St. Tropez. Hope this is a nudge to try a new destination this year!
Favorite Houston date spot
NM and SM: Champagne and a movie at iPIC theatre in the River oaks District is an ideal date night!
Your own couple goals
NM and SM: Couple goals for us would be to grow, improve and evolve in every aspect of our marriage. Be present in the moments we spend together with each other and with our children. Take more care and better care of our parents. We would also like to be more giving in our charitable commitments and to continue to grow our business. We are fortunate to see all these traits close by in our dear friends, Ajay and Sippi Khurana, and consider them true role models in this regard.
Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell and Derrick Mitchell
Legal eagles Roslyn Bazzell Mitchell and Derrick Mitchell.
Photos by Priscilla Dickson and Wilson Parrish
Attorney, Best-Dressed winner, philanthropist, fashion designer, mom, wife, and fitness enthusiast Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell is a Houston powerhouse along with her attorney husband, Derrick. Although they each have many claims to fame in their own right, they also live in Beyonce's former Riverside Terrace home, which is sought out by fans worldwide — the couple regularly endure photographers in front of their home. The Mitchells love spending time with their son Derrick "D" and their dog Zeus and seen often at Houston social events. Roslyn is actively involved in several charities, including American Heart Association, Houston Ballet, and Hermann Park Conservancy, among others. She recently gave a shout-out to her Derrick, thanking him for being her "ride or die who is always ready to help zip me into the dress, help me into the car, walk around the dress, makes sure not to step on the dress, and get up for just one more dance even when he was ready to go 30 mins ago." Now, if that isn't love, we don't know what is. Take it away, Roslyn.
First impression
Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell: This describes my first impression from when we first started dating. We met several years prior, but, didn’t really connect personally until 2010: handsome, smart, and hilarious! He has a keen sense of humor and his laugh is infectious and always warms my heart!
Favorite thing about your partner
RBM:The best and my most favorite thing about my partner is that he accepts me exactly as I am on my good days, bad days, creative spark days, tired days, sit around in the bed for hours days and even when I just need space to be alone days. He understands the things that are important to me and always lends a hand, ready to support me in every endeavor.
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
RBM: Dancing is not exactly his strong suit. At our wedding, I patted his back during our first dance to ensure he stayed on the beat. I still love him for trying and would dance with him all night long at any event, when given the opportunity, even if he steps on my dress or my feet in the process.
Favorite Houston date spot
RBM: The latest Mark Holley restaurant [currently Davis St.]. Our first date was at Pesce restaurant, where Mark was the head chef.
Your own couple goals
RBM: Dr. William Bazzelle and Mrs. Minnie Bazzelle [my parents]. Our celebrity couple goals would be former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Wendy and John Granato
John Granato keeps Wendy Granato laughing.
Photo courtesy of Crime Stoppers
A true media power couple, Wendy and John Granato regularly dominate Houston's airwaves. Wendy is the forward-thinking president and general manager of the top-rated TV powerhouse ABC13, while John is known locally as the "dean of sports talk radio" and as the wise-cracking co-host of The Bench on ESPN 97.5 FM (Gow Media, which owns CultureMap, owns the radio station). Considered a pioneer for ensuring opportunities for women and people of color, Wendy is now a rising regional and national TV force. Her adoring — and Coors-Light-loving husband (we love ya, John!) — fields our questions, with his trademark humor.
First impression
John Granato: She hated me. I was on the TV set and her first day at the station she had to run the teleprompter, which she messed up, so I was lost on my highlights and had a really bad sportscast. When it was over, I had a few choice words for whoever screwed it up. It was her, and she thought I was the biggest jerk. And then, she married me. (And her suspicions were confirmed.)
Favorite thing about your partner
JG: She’s so easygoing. We lead totally different lives. She works hard. Me, not so much. I like to golf and play poker, which is not very productive, but she wants me to be happy — and that’s all I want for her. She says she loves my sense of humor. I make her laugh, and that’s important in a relationship.
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner.
JG: There is literally not a day that goes by that we don’t have a truck delivering a package — or packages — to our house. She’s amazing. I don’t know how she works as hard as she does and yet, her ability to purchase things is unaffected. She’s the Michael Jordan of shopping. It’s impossible for Wendy to answer this because she doesn’t overlook any of my shortcomings.
Favorite Houston date spot
JG: Dinner and iPic. She loves to go fancy new restaurants with me dressed in what she picks out for me, with lots and lots of red wine. Hopefully home in time to watch a Netflix show, which we usually fall asleep to.
Your own couple goals
JG: Our goal is to make each other happy, and I think we’ve done that for the most part so far.
Duyen and Marc Nguyen
The always stylish Marc and Duyen Nguyen. Photo courtesy of Marc and Duyen Nguyen
Few Houston couples are more strikingly at home on the social scene as Duyen and Marc Nguyen. Cosmopolitan, effortlessly chic, and always dressed (dazzlingly and complementing each other ) for the occasion, the often-photographed power pair are benefactors of the arts and culture, lending their names to countless arts functions, charities, galas, performances, organizations, and more. Marc, a businessman and philanthropist, and Duyen, an esteemed dentist, are also parents to also impossibly chic) daughters Misha, Lauren, Chloe, and Anais. Always exuding a worldly je ne sais quoi in their frequent travels, the couple is totally at home in Houston.
First impression
Duyen Nguyen: My first impression? He was definitely witty and funny. I still laugh at his jokes every day.
Marc Nguyen: When I first met her, at the main library at the University of Houston main campus, with our friends, she was a new students who laughed quite freely, at everything I said. And I thought, she sounded like a fun person to hang out with.
Favorite thing about your partner
MN: The most impressive trait is absolutely her free spirit. A bit tomboyish. Definitely attractive to me.
DN: My favorite thing about Marc is his creativity.
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
DN: No flowers on Mother’s Day. His reason? “You’re not my mother.”
MN: Overlook? Lovingly? Can we talk about the lovely scenic overlooks that we encountered on our hiking trips instead? But seriously, she climbed Zion’s Angel Landing and trekked the Incas Trail to Machu Picchu. I was deadly exhausted and couldn’t believe she was the fragile girl I married.
Favorite Houston date spot
DN: Brasserie 19 for champagne and oysters is our most favorite date spot.
MN: Brasserie 19, specifically champagnes and oysters
Your own couple goals
DN: Our goal is having the same relationship as when we first dated.
MN: Didn’t someone say "unhappiness happened when you tried shaping the future but didn’t obtain the desired outcome?" Nowadays, we try to live “here and now”, try to enjoy whatever the moment presents to us.
Derrick Shore and Brandon Bourque
Derrick Shore and Brandon Bourque keep it simple out of the limelight.
Photo by Daniel Ortiz
Derrick Shore is a three-time Emmy winner and host of Houston Life on KPRC since 2016, when the show debuted. He and his better half, Brandon Bourque, the director of advancement at a local nonprofit, have been together since 2017. The couple, self-proclaimed "proud parents" to over 60 house plants, love to be out and about in Houston and share a love for good food and travel. On a segment of Houston Life, Shore admits he is the one in the relationship who is most likely to be late to a meeting, forget to wear deodorant, and sleep until noon, while Bourque is most likely to lock his keys in the car.
First impression
Derrick Shore: The moment I met Brandon I thought "there you are" — as if I'd known him forever but was just meeting him for the first time. It sounds silly, but in that instant I knew we'd spend our lives together. I guess love at first sight is a real thing.
Brandon Bourque: I remember thinking, "he's hot -- and either I'm overdressed or he's way underdressed." I was wearing a button-down and a sweater and he was wearing gym shorts and a T-shirt. We had decided to meet for one drink but it turned into hours of conversation and eventually a full day of hanging out. We pretty much started living together the next day [seriously, we did].
Favorite thing about your partner
DS: He is always patient and kind. He's also an excellent chef!
BB: It may sound cliché, but Derrick is extremely kind and compassionate. He always reminds me that we never know what someone is going through or how rough their day may have been. So he goes out of his way to speak to strangers, ask how they're doing, or crack a silly joke to make them smile.
CM: Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
DS: This is a tough one because Brandon is practically perfect in every way. But sometimes his breath in the morning isn't the best smell in the world. Not bad, but not great.
BB: Derrick takes his dental hygiene very seriously so this one is easy — his aggressive flossing. I actually have to leave the bathroom while he does it [but, have you seen those pearly whites on TV?].
Favorite Houston date spot
DS: Home! We spend so much time running around Houston, so I truly appreciate anytime we're able to have a quiet night together at home. We built a new home recently so we're trying to make more of an effort to actually use it.
BB: Nancy's Hustle. It's always a cozy escape and a delicious menu.
Your own couple goals
DS: Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. They've been together 40 years, they play by their own rules and they're always smiling.
BB: Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. They seem open, honest and genuinely happy together — with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor.
Kent Schaffer and Shara Kuy
Houston's Fixer Kent Schaffer and glamorous wife Shara.Photo courtesy of Kent Schaffer
For years, prominent power attorney, art collector, photographer, and host of some of the city's most unforgettable parties, Kent Schaffer, was regarded (unofficially) as The Most Interesting Man in Houston. The debonair and nationally respected celebrity criminal defense lawyer (his client list reads like a who's-who of the high-powered worlds of business, music, entertainment, and more) is no stranger to headlines or A-list cases. A gifted problem solver, Schaffer has now made his life easier by wedding his longtime partner Shara Kuy. The couple are worthy an Instagram follow, be it for their fab fetes, distinguished dogs, Schaffer's talented children, Kuy's effervescent charm, and the couple's worldwide wanderings — where they seamlessly blend in while standing out. The man known as The Fixer, who just returned from Cuba with Shara, fields our questions.
First impression
Kent Schaffer: Our first impressions were similar in that we both felt completely at ease talking with each other. We both are pretty open and upfront about what we think and feel so it felt very natural to be together.
Favorite thing about your partner
KS: She has no temper. We have had less than a handful of arguments in eight years together and those arguments last a matter of minutes. She wakes up in a good mood every day and we are both are happy with the way our lives are going. She never speaks ill of anyone and mostly leaves that to me
Something that you lovingly overlook about your partner
KS: She would say snoring. I would say lack of punctuality. Being pathologically punctual, I found that to be mildly irritating, although now I tell her that we have to be somewhere 30 minutes before we actually do. [I hope she does not read this...].
Favorite Houston date spot
KS: It seems that although we go to lots of places, we seem to regularly gravitate to Bludorn, Tony's, and Brasserie 19. I suppose it's because they are good, consistent, and treat us like family.
Your own couple goals
KS: Personally, I do not know anyone who has a better relationship, so there is no couple that I look up to as role models. But I suppose the one goal that we each have is to not die.
