Power Couple: Chandra & Corey McKern

Power Couple: Chandra & Corey McKern

Chandra and Corey McKern of the Pensacola Opera have a beautiful and supportive partnership. The couple first met after an audition. Corey recounts the moment: “I saw this beautiful tall blonde with an amazing voice do this audition, so I timed when she was leaving- I like went out to cut her off in the pass and she was like struggling with all these books- I said can I hold your books and she said ‘Who are you, Leave it to Beaver?”

The rest is history! After multiple moves around the country and career opportunities creating long distance relationship stretches, Corey, Chandra, and their children have called Pensacola home since 2015.

Our team wanted to ask them their top tips for a successful and loving marriage!

WHAT IS YOUR #1 TIP FOR A SUCCESSFUL/LOVING/LASTING MARRIAGE?

Corey: Everyone knows marriage is challenging, but the amazing thing about marriage is you build equity with the person. You share life experiences... then you develop your own footprint for your relationship, for your family. Embrace the change, embrace the journey, and don’t take it all so seriously.

Chandra: We have fun and joke around! And communication, of course, is key. We’ve obviously grown and changed a lot since we were 25 years old, but the genuine love and support we have for each other is no different from when we were 25.

WHAT CONVERSATIONS DO YOU FEEL ENGAGED COUPLES SHOULD DISCUSS BEFORE TYING THE KNOT?

Corey: I hope this isn’t unromantic to say, but marriage, engagement, the thought of having a family, is a romantic endeavor in our mind. But the actual practicality of executing all of that is sometimes not the most romantic. Marriage is a skill. Managing to stay focused on your marriage while you’re raising a family healthily and succeeding at your career is no easy task. So we all have to give ourselves a break and enjoy the ride.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD CHANGE OR THINK ABOUT DIFFERENTLY FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY?

Corey & Chandra: I think we would’ve stayed longer at the reception! We felt rushed to leave the reception and wanted to continue the party with friends and family!

IF YOU COULD GIVE YOUR MARRIAGE A SLOGAN, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Corey: *responds without hesitation* Chandra my not like this but, I treat marriage like a bull riding contest ‘good luck buckin’ me off!

YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL DATE NIGHT SPOTS

Chandra & Corey: George Bistro, Jackson’s, Union Public House, and Pearl & Horn

ADVICE FOR BALANCING CAREER AND MARRIAGE?

Chandra: Make it a priority to put work aside. It’s essential to have quality time and not be a workaholic.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE AS FAR AS FINANCES ARE CONSIDERED?

Corey: Marriage is like several different things under one umbrella. It’s a romantic relationship, it’s also a business relationship- you’re kind of maintaining a household budget, and that’s something that has to be worked on together: Finances, habits, values, job, idea of family.

Chandra: We started sharing finances before we were married, but we have some friends that still have separate finances. It depends on the couple.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS OR PIECES OF ADVICE FOR OUR ENGAGED READERS?

Corey: Be proactive in working on yourself rather than getting to a point where life becomes difficult.

Chandra: Have the hard conversations first. Don’t let it happen after you’re married. Open honest communication from the get-go will do you a lot of favors.