Michigan became the backdrop for a remarkably swift romance when Mel Robbins and Christopher Robbins married in 1996, but their connection ignited much earlier-on their third date.
A Third-Date Declaration & A Roofside Proposal
The author of “The Let them Theory” shared the charmingly unconventional story of her engagement.
- On their third date,Christopher Robbins spontaneously declared his intention to marry Mel Robbins.
- The couple faced a minor financial hiccup when purchasing the engagement ring, requiring a loan from Christopher’s brother.
- The proposal itself took place on a pigeon-pooped rooftop after a confusing call from the landlord.
- Mel Robbins attributes a key to their lasting marriage to the principle of accepting people as they are.
During a Jan. 4 appearance on Sunday Sit Down with Willie Geist, Mel Robbins recounted how Christopher boldly announced his intentions on their third date. “He literally looked at me and said, ‘I’m going to marry you,'” she shared.
Securing the ring was only half the battle; Christopher Robbins then faced the challenge of asking Mel Robbins’ father for his blessing. “He can’t reach my dad,” Mel Robbins explained, “And so he leaves a message on the home answering machine.”
She playfully imitated the message: “‘Bob, I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to ask Mel. I have to do it. I don’t know why.'”
However,the purchase of the ring wasn’t entirely smooth sailing. Christopher needed to ask his brother for financial assistance to complete the purchase.
The eventual proposal was as unconventional as their initial connection. “I’m sitting here inside.It’s just, like, a random Wednesday. And he walks in, and he said, ‘I just got a call from the landlord and there’s something on the roof,'” she recalled. “And I’m like, ‘OK,’ but he said, ‘There’s something we’re supposed to go up and look at.’ And I’m like, ‘why do I have to?'”
Upon reaching the roof, she was met with a surprising sight. “He gets down on this nauseating tar, dirty, pigeon-pooped roof and I’m looking around like, ‘Why are we up here?’ And I’m like, ‘What are you doing?’ And he’s like, ‘will you marry me?'” she said. “And I’m like, ‘I thought we were – Yes!'”
“And he had a ring. And that was that,” she added.
nearly Three Decades of Marriage & A Simple Lesson
The couple’s wedding took place in 1996 in Michigan. They are parents to three children: Sawyer, 26, Kendall, 25, and Oakley, 20.
In August 2025, Mel Robbins shared a tribute to her husband on their 29th anniversary,reflecting on the lessons they’ve learned throughout their marriage.
One key takeaway, directly inspired by her book “The Let Them Theory,” is the importance of acceptance. “Stop trying to change people and learn how to love them as they are,” she advised. “Most fights,resentment and frustration comes from wishing people were different. The more you let people be themselves, the better your relationships will be.”
Worth a look
