Carrie Preston on the ‘Old Adage’ That Became a Mantra in Her 25-Year Marriage to Lost’s Michael Emerson (Exclusive)

Carrie Preston and her husband Michael Emerson have adopted a simple phrase that rings true in their nearly three-decade marriage.

As fellow actors, both Preston and Emerson understand how many hours on set can take them away from each other for long periods of time. Despite their busy schedules and busy TV star lives, the couple has been married for 25 — now 26 — years and Preston exclusively talks to PEOPLE about the mantra that warms their hearts after all these years.

“Because of work, we have to spend a lot of time apart,” explains the actress who plays the title character in ElsbethCBS’ latest spinoff A good woman. “I think he and I, maybe more than some couples who are together all the time, really appreciate the time we have together.”

Noting how the distance “keeps things fresh” in her relationship with lost alum, she adds, “I think there’s something to the old adage, ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder.’ I really think that’s true.”

Michael Emerson and Carrie Preston.

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Preston explains that she and Emerson “try not to take the time we’ve been given together” for granted, knowing it could be “a long time” before they can see each other again.

When the couple finally reunites, the actress says how they manage to keep the spark in their relationship alive.

Preston recalls Emerson surprising her with a bouquet of her favorite star lilies after she reflected on how “hard” she had worked on the project and how much she had “invested” in the success of her new “dream job.”

“He knows I work so long. I came home the other day, and there were lilies, this beautiful bouquet of stars sitting on the table,” she said. – These are such little things.

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Carrie Preston and Michael Emerson.

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Emerson is no slouch when it comes to thoughtful romantic gestures. The actress told another case when he surprised her with a homemade breakfast on a day when she was not at work.

“I came downstairs after I woke up and he made French toast and ate blueberries and heated up the syrup. We like to do things like that to surprise each other. It’s the little gestures,” Preston smiles. “We certainly both have our romantic sides.”

For more on Carrie Preston, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribe here.

Elsbeth airs Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT on CBS.

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Source: HIS Education