Evelyn Tan And Darren Lim Used To Bicker Over The Way She Uses Tissue — Here's How Their 28-Yr Marriage Has Evolved Over The Years

Maintaining a marriage is not easy, and that includes navigating all sorts of disagreements, sometimes over the most random things. 

Yes, that applies even to Darren Lim and Evelyn Tan, who are basically local showbiz’s ultimate couple goals, if you ask us. 

In a recent episode of The Couple's Classroom, YES 933 DJ Hazelle Teo's podcast with her fiancé James Wong, the 51-year-old ex-Mediacorp actress talked about how she keeps the spark alive with Darren, 53.

The couple has been together for almost 28 years, married for 22, and have four kids — Kristen, 21, Jairus, 19, Way, 16, and Elliot,12.

While discussing if cleanliness is a contentious topic between couples, Evelyn said: "I think it's just a personal thing you know."

"For me, the thing we argued about most after we got married is me using tissue," she mused.

"He would complain about me just [pulling multiple pieces from the box]. [He would say] Things like: 'Why do you have to do that?' and I would say: 'Why can't I do this? This is my preference. I'm efficient so I just do this lor."

Despite Evelyn stressing that she would not waste the tissue, Darren still thinks her action is unnecessary.

"He says: 'You don't need [to do that], you just need a corner to wipe the corner of your mouth correct or not? So in fact, that one tissue is more than enough."

The couple, who share the same toothpaste, also have disagreements about where to squeeze the tube.

"I never expected this would be a point of contention. I'm like: 'What's the problem? Just squeeze ah, why would I be bothered about whether it's squeezed from the middle or the end?' But for him, he's like: 'No, you must go from the end'," she laughed.

"Whether the toilet seat is up or down, he would also have things to say. After getting married, I realised: 'There are so many things you are fussy about that I didn't realise when I was deeply in love for the past six years'."

That said, after more than two decades, the couple has become more sensitive to each other's needs.

"Things like that still happen, but I think there's a lot more patience and love for each other. We can just take each other's s**t lah," Evelyn said.

Evelyn's outlook at marriage has also changed significantly over the years.

“In the past, I used to think about marriage as two strong individuals coming together and building something beautiful. But now I realise that the whole more powerful than the individual parts added together."

"The one thing that we have right now between us is more than who we are. It encompasses a lot more — the love, the patience, the forbearance, the meeting of minds, the growing of a family."

Of course, respectful communication is vital too.

“There are bound to be differences, but when those differences come along, how are you going to manage them?" she asked.

"Respect is very important, being able to understand each other's views, to love each other to the extent where you may be willing to agree to disagree and respectfully allow the other person to move on but in a way that doesn't compromise who you are as a couple and as individuals."