Nowadays, many people find their significant other through dating apps, but not so long ago, meeting your soulmate meant stepping out into the real world. Even celebrities had to engage with the traditional ways of finding love, just like everyone else.
Take Maureen McCormick, for instance. The 67-year-old actress, famously known for her role as Marcia on The Brady Bunch from 1969 to 1974, met her life partner not online, but in person, catching her future husband’s eye at a concert and winning his heart at church.
After her success on The Brady Bunch, Maureen faced personal struggles in the years that followed. The fame she experienced masked her inner turmoil as she dealt with addiction issues, periods of deep despair, and an ongoing battle with bulimia. As a result, her acting career suffered.
In a candid interview with People in 2016, she revealed, “I’ve been through a lot of hard times, but I take all those experiences and learn and grow from them. I received treatment in a psych ward, entered and exited rehab, and prayed to God for guidance.”
Her challenges with addiction, particularly with cocaine, coincided with the realization that her acting dreams might not unfold as she imagined. During this turbulent time, she encountered a man at a concert and instantly felt a connection.
Recalling the moment in her autobiography, Here’s the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, Maureen wrote, “I turned around and saw this guy behind me. I’d never seen him before. He had dark hair, a great build, and chiseled features. I looked straight into his eyes and thought, ‘This is the man I’m going to marry.’
Determined to get to know him, Maureen began attending the same Bible studies and sitting nearby at church, eager to learn more about Michael Cummings.
Their shared faith and consistent presence in each other’s lives helped them grow closer, leading to their first date, which marked the beginning of a lasting relationship.
Michael Cummings, recalling those early days, shared with Daily Mail in 2015, “She was very honest with me from day one. She has always been honest with me, an open book. And I was never worried about her reverting to her old behavior as I figured, whatever comes up, we will just deal with it.”
Though their love was described by Maureen as “quick and passionate,” it wasn’t without its challenges. Maureen continued to struggle with her addiction, often pushing Michael away in the process. But he remained steadfast, committed to working through the difficulties.
Writing about their enduring relationship in her autobiography, Maureen expressed, “Michael said that he’d made a life-long commitment and decided he was going to work at it until it’s unworkable. He thought child stardom had arrested my development, and in many ways, he was right.”
Despite the ups and downs, Maureen and Michael welcomed a child into their lives in 1989 and are now approaching their 37th wedding anniversary on March 16.
Reflecting on their enduring marriage, Maureen attributes their success to their shared faith. “I know there’s one reason that Michael and I managed to stay together through all the heavy-duty ups and downs: our faith,” she wrote. “
The two of us had faith that our love, despite all of our problems, was real, strong, durable, and worth sticking around for. Our faith made us believe our love was real.”
Maureen McCormick’s story is both inspiring and heartwarming. It’s a testament to the power of love and faith in overcoming personal challenges and building a lasting partnership.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this remarkable journey of healing and enduring love. Feel free to share your comments and experiences!
