Dr. Terry and Heather Dubrow peel back the layers of 7 Year Stitch, interview

While Heather Dubrow has returned to the Real Housewives of Orange County and Dr. Terry Dubrow can be seen with Dr. Paul Nassif on Botched, the married couple is stepping outside of their traditional roles with a new E! Show, 7 Year Stitch. Although the name might be a slight play on words, the subject matter is far from comical. In some ways, the journey that these struggling couples face is far from skin deep.

Premiering on March 1, in 7 Year Stitch, Dr. Terry and Heather Dubrow help couples embark on a journey. While it might be a part social experiment, it is a lesson in life and marriage. While the couple might enter this 7-week experience on the brink of divorce, the ending may or may not be the happily ever after of the fairy tale. Since this experience is real life, only the couple can make the best decision for themselves.

Recently, Culturess had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Terry and Heather Dubrow about their new show, 7 Year Stitch. Although they might not have all the answers, the pair appreciates that good communication is key to their 25+ years together. Even if every day isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, they appreciate that their willingness to be open and honest with each other can help shed a light on any situation.

According to Dr. Dubrow, he believes that “one of the key things about a relationship is that it has good and bad parts.” While that might not seem like the perfect script, it is reality. More importantly, he said that “if you don’t keep your relationship to a certain degree under a microscope and keep an eye on it, it will get out from under you.”

That message seems to be key in this program. The couples have lack communication. Without the ability to see and hear each other, the marriage foundation will start to crumble.

As Heather explained, the heart of the program is to see how and why couples can be stitched back together. The couples are at a critical moment in their relationship. She said, “the honeymoon is over and real life has set it.”

Although much will be said about the journey to boost their confidence via changing both physically and mentally, the reality is that a simple idea is at the heart of this show. The individual has to be strong before the collective can be the best it can be. Simply stated, they have to fix the me before there can be a better we.

7 Year Stitch isn’t always a simple fix

As the Dubrows explained the show, there is one question that seems to linger in everyone’s mind, and Heather addressed it specifically. The real question, actually a scary question, as Heather said: “when you make someone their most confident best version of themselves, does it make them want to go back and be with that partner, or does it make him go?”

Whether viewers hope that there will be that moment when the wedding rings go back on, it is only the couple who can truly decide what is best for them as the individual and as a couple. Both individuals have to commit to the marriage. If one person constantly gives and the other takes, the imbalance can never be in check, and the partnership may never find the path to success.

During our conversation, the Dubrows believed that there can be a version of that happily ever after for everyone, but it is unique for the couple. While people can spend months talking and planning the perfect wedding, they might not discuss finances, deal-breakers, and all the other daily life issues that happen after the sparkle fades from the wedding day. It doesn’t mean that one fight has people running out the door. It is how people see the whole picture and how they navigate the good, the bad, and even sometimes the ugly.

Both Dr. Terry and Heather Dubrow believe that communication is the heart of any successful relationship. They suggest finding that safe, comfortable space to start addressing the concerns that arise in a relationship. Being open, honest, and willing to learn to communicate is key.

From there, both the individual and the couple can start building their confidence. Whether it is expressing their feelings to being their best person or choosing to put themselves in the conversation, all the little things add up to being a strong, confident person who can contribute to a couple.

To see the couple go on this journey, and maybe learn a thing or two, be sure to tune into 7 Year Stitch on E!. The series premiere is March 1 at 10 p.m. EST after the season finale of Botched.