“It was going south quickly,” she said. “And we were like, ‘I don’t know… don’t think we’re going to make it through.’”
What helped turn things around, she explained, was an unexpected but heartfelt conversation with their children—led by their son, Lev.
“At one point, Lev, Maks, and Natasha wanted to talk with us—but Lev really led the conversation,” she said. “He sat us down and spoke from the heart. He opened his Bible, and for 45 minutes, he shared thoughts about marriage, grace, and reconciliation.”
Candace recalled that Lev acknowledged his youth, saying he had never been married himself, but still wanted to offer a perspective rooted in faith and love. “He asked each of us, ‘Have you done everything you can? Is there one more act of kindness or grace you can offer to try and reconcile?’” she said.
That heartfelt talk proved to be a turning point. “It really changed the dynamic between us,” Candace reflected. “We walked away from that conversation thinking, ‘Wow, we raised some pretty amazing kids.’”
Lev later joined his mother on the podcast to talk about what inspired him to speak up. He explained that it came from a place of love and faith. “We wanted to encourage them to fight for their relationship,” he said. “And the best way we knew how was to point them back to our values and to what we believe brings people together.”
Today, Candace says she’s incredibly grateful—not only for her marriage but also for the support and strength of her children during a challenging time. What could have been a moment of division instead became a powerful reminder of love, growth, and family unity.
What’s your best tip for a healthy, long-lasting relationship? Share your thoughts in the comments!