Thanks for watching, everyone. This was a great learning experience for us as a couple. The major takeaway from this for us was to OVER COMMUNICATE and allow our emotions to run their course (whether it's through exercise, meditation, screaming into a pillow (seriously), etc.... We were happy to document our experience for this video to the best of our abilities to show that there is no one way to feel about what we're all going through right now. Sending you all love and light.
Yes, lots of love to everyone! I agree with everything this beautiful tall vegan lady said above. It was a bit awkward having to document some of the rougher times, but hopefully our experiences can provide good learnings for anyone curious! AND for those of you that are worried about BuzzFeed making us do this video, have no fear! Like Merle said, we were happy to try and document things (if anything for ourselves to look back on). If at any point we were ever asked to film something that we think would cause actual harm to our relationship, rest assured that we wouldn’t do it - THIS IS MY WORLD, AFTER ALL. 🔥🔥🔥 That said, thanks for looking out for us ❤️🎅🏼 Stay safe, everyone!
You guys are both great...this was a such a good video showing simple trials and tribulations of any new relationship especially in times such as now...I especially liked the fact that u guys resolved ur conflict by properly communicating to each other and not having a shouting match with each other as most do which deteriorates things further..Also the thing about quality not quantity of the time with ur partner struck a little close to home for me as i have always mistakenly believed spending time together meant just being with my partner instead of doing or making the time spent together meaningful and making the moments feel shared and cherished somehow....I pray u guys have a long,meaningful and satisfying relationship with each other...Also i am sorry if we as buzzfeed viewers are putting pressure and unreal expections on ur relationship...It is just we love u guys so much and have been invested in ur relationship from start and whenever i see any video of you two together it brings a smile to my face no matter how bad my day is going.
Exactly!! I’ve been with my boyfriend for 7 years living with him for 3, I swear this quarantine is hard on us too!! We literally had a night where we laughed and screamed out the things that were annoying us about the other person. Felt good and released any tension!
Merle O'Neal my bf of over 6 years is living with me for the first time during this shelter in place and we have been going through many of the same things. Making sure there is intentional quality time structured into the day has been a super important realization. Also, learning how to communicate effectively and utilizing the other person’s love language has been exceptionally helpful too ❤️
@@lexarico7606 Yes! But one is more dominant than the other! Read "The 5 love language" From Gary Chapman. Also in audiobook, it helped me a lot to love better my husband
guacamole You hit the nail on the head 👌🏽 they’re great together but their ways of expressing love are different. Of course we’ve only seen small snippets of their lives and I’m not trying to tell them what to do with their lives since I don’t know them, but I think communication is key
Some things need to be kept private. This couple should know that if they are mature enough....and not everyone wants to know the minutiae of their relationship. I'll lose my respect for these two if they keep doing videos like this one.
Luna saying you are Latin is extremely vague. Do you mean Latin as in Roman? Or Latin as in a person who speaks a language part of the Latin family tree? Or do you mean I Iberian? All of the above a are endemically white caucasians. Maybe you mean Latin American? Even then that is an extremely vague term to describe ones race, since Latin Americans are mainly either or a combination of 1-3 (Native American, Sub-Saharan African, and European) different races.
Honestly being able to see a fight (a small one, but a fight) and healthy resolution and communication is huge. I'm really glad Merle and Aria felt confident enough to put it out there for the world to see. I almost teared up seeing them talk it out.
me too! i love that they shared it! a lot of people in my life avoid conflict rather than wanting to resolve it, so it's always nice to see healthy examples of conflict resolution!
I love this so much - it feels like this isn’t a “perfect” relationship (whatever that means) but a healthy relationship. My favourite part about this video is actually the brief conflict, because even immediately after the conflict started, both Merle and Aria immediately reflected on their own actions and tried to empathize with the other person, and they also gave each other some much-needed time apart. I think that’s what made the conflict resolution process so constructive and helpful. I’ve vowed to act that way in my relationship too.
@@dariellemagana9807 Yes sadly I am tested with my mom because of this. We keep fighting hurting each other, not understand each other. And I keep crying in bed.
@@Hayata_dair_hersey95 I relate as well, but i think open talk will do and simple gestures like hug will do dont worry it will also make our relationship strong once we communicate were on this together ❤
Being an Asian man who is married to a Caucasian woman, I see parallels between your relationship and ours. I honestly love everything I see about how you communicate, how you are together. Your honesty and transparency is refreshing, even when you're going through negative times. It helps me to see a couple like you two, especially when I can see both your personal and professional lives. My wife and I enjoy watching all of your videos.
As weird as it was to witness them go through everyday sort of fight, I think it may help younger people see how healthy relationships deal with it. Sitting down, having a conversation, and working it out. There is too many movies and TV shows out there that only show the screaming matches and hot and steamy make ups. lmao not real life.
Agreed. TV shows and movies gave us really unrealistic ideas of love. That's not how a relationship would work in real life. And even if I was a tad uncomfortable watching this video, it shows how people resolve their issues irl.
Merle: "Working from home used to feel like a snow day, and now it's everyday." Agreed, working from home was fun the first week, now I just want to go outside...
Honestly this is the realest thing. I've had a semi work from home situation for years and it still couldn't prepare me for this. Not being able to go anywhere (SOME OF US DON'T HAVE A YARD Y'ALL.) can't go out, can't force a work life balance and separate from it for a while it's just there. The "snow day" feeling has become "okay can the blizzard be over I wanna go" where? "literally anywhere but here."
why is everyone saying that buzzfeed is milking them... like they literally said PEOPLE WERE ASKING US to make the video, and THEY agreed to do it, and it’s a GREAT video! they want to show that a “perfect relationship” doesn’t exist and showing a healthy communication can be very helpful for some people! and you can clearly see that they love each other so much. If you don’t like them go watch their separate content then and don’t act like this is all they do cause it’s just not true.
True, but its obviously not going to help their relationship and they knew that because they wouldnt make a video if there wasn't drama because people would find it boring
get it right.... I can see where you’re coming from but you should try to understand that there’s definitely much more to their relationship than the clips you see because they choose what you see on camera
get it right.... I don’t think they would do something that would “ruin” their relationship on purpose, and if they wanted to, they could make it seem that they were the happiest couple ever and that they don’t ever get upset with each other, but that’s just not realistic, people asked for a reality check and they delivered. period.
I HIGHLY recommend creating a designated workspace in your home. When you bring work to your couch, bed, etc it creates stress where it is not necessary. Love you two!
My fiance and I have literally spent 24 hours a day together for the past 8 years, minus maybe like 3 weeks apart max? and I still get excited when I hear him walking towards the room I'm in. Not to mention we talk nonstop throughout the day. He is the only person I can do this with, without getting annoyed at all. He literally feels like an extension of myself and another person all at the same time.
Girl don't feel bad for your partner taking care of you for a WEEK. Seriously.... He clearly wanted to do it, did not resent you at all, and just wanted to support you. We women do not always need to be a good caretaker. You're a good girlfriend because he loves you and likes being with you. He's said you've taken care of him as well. Let people take care of you without guilt. You deserve it.
That's what concerns me. When I was in an abusive relationship I would go to the mall or park but since most places are closed there is no where to go. It's scary. I don't know how to help those people.
I don’t care what anyone says that was such a healthy example of a relationship and communication and the fact that they are on camera doing it for so many people is even more impressive!! You guys are great
Whenever Merle was saying “imagine sharing something so personal with thousands or possibly millions of people” she was also helping those people so much. It helped me a lot and I hope that video did the same thing for others.❤️
No couple is “perfect” we all have problems at some point and it’s important to talk about how each person feels, and that way you can work on it together, and watching them be real and say everything they feel is just so satisfying 😌 they’ll get through this I know y’all can 💕
This is a real representation of a relationship. Miscommunication that leads to an argument, which then leads to self reflection and then a conclusion within the relationship.
I'm definitely an introvert through and through but I love going to see my family and spending time with them I also like to go out with my husband and doing stuff...... I've been really struggling through this time.
when merle was tearing up, i started to tear up as well. i have been staying with my boyfriend of 10 months at this point, for the past two weeks. we've never been with each other this much 24/7 in his little apartment, and since it's been a delicate situation with the virus (both of us getting laid off, my bf experiencing a death of his friend from the virus, and myself going through other challenges like depression), I definitely related to the feelings and struggles Merle and Aria have been facing. it's been hard on our relationship because we aren't always in the best mood but we've been communicating a lot through the whole thing. thank you for sharing this part of your relationship during this hard time.
you arent alone!! its so hard to be a thriving couple when you dont get any time apart to reflect on things/have alone time. especially with all the external stress of the world rn. i think the struggles we are facing as couples are a lot more common and valid than we think. i wish you both the best!!!
Why do people think it’s okay to comment on someone else’s relationship and predict how long it’s going to last. You’re getting annoyed at buzzfeed for putting this video out there yet have the audacity to comment on their relationship like you’re the one in it.
Publishing a monetized video in a public space like RU-vid (especially from a media company with huge following) isn’t very ideal if they did not intend anyone to comment about their relationship. Should’ve turned off the comments section then? Or better yet, produce a video with a different content.
If I put any of my relationships on a public viral channel I expect people to criticise every single detail. If I want to keep it private I wouldn't post it. Simple. Also personally, I wouldn't experiment with my relationship, especially in isolation, let alone do it publicly. So yeah, when people criticise their relationship, they're pointing out real problems, and AVOIDABLE, UNNECESSARY problems too.
I personally think that the more people know about your romantic relationships, the more people feel entitled to have an opinion on your romantic relationships- that's usually why I tend to keep that part of my life private. Obviously, Aria and Merle choose not to because they probably feel like it's important to give an authentic and honest look at relationships by being open with theirs, and I definitely understand that reasoning. People are gonna say what they want, and it's ultimately up to them whether they let it affect their relationship or not.
It took a really long time for Aria to get Merle to be his. He just did not want to mess it up. I think is amazing to just sit and have a convo on what the problem is and trying to figure out the solution then screaming and fighting. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
This is so real. So refreshing and comforting to watch and be reminded that we’re all going through the same thing and it’s normal to have good days and bad days
I do feel like this whole quarantine is strengthening my relationship cause it's putting us in uncomfortable, awkward situations. Like we don't SEE each other all day cause of work so now that we are both home, it's a different routine that we're getting used to and learning. it's REALLY strengthening us!
The honesty and transparency makes me love them even more and I can see how the feel and idk how to explain but I love them and their love for each other💜💜💜💜
This is such a real relationship everyday isn’t perfect and we have to learn and that they’re not either! We love you guys so much and keep learning from each other!
Why Is everyone complaining that "oh buzzfeed is milking their relationship" or "buzzfeed exploit them for money" can we just like appreciate the hard work that they put on to filming, editing this video? We don't need the negativity in this hard time. If you don't like them, just don't watch the video or even don't comment under the video negatively. Im sure they (merle and aria) know what they're doing, they're both adults,they don't need you to make decisions for them whether they should make a video about their relationship or not.
People like to be negative - but they will still watch the video. Actually they were probably going to quarantine together at first anyways - newer relationship, see what living together is like. Having to talk about how they feel on camera probably helped them verbalize how they felt and work things out faster. Otherwise people just internalize and let those feelings rot them from the inside.
My husband got into a really bad car accident in 2018 and had to take a year off of work. I worked from home. So we were basically together 24/7 for 10 months to a year. Money was real tight so we weren't able to go out much at all. It was rough but in all honesty we did it, and without killing each other. So truly this quarantine has been a breeze for us. Sometimes Idk how we made it through all that we have but damn am I glad we did and still are. It definitely tests you though in ways you never thought possible. Edit: I know exactly which video you're editing and it was so beneficial for so many people from you sharing your story. It was a beautifully raw video and thank you for doing it.
mxblue Yeah 🙂, usually when people who care about each other spend a lot of time together they start to resemble each other. That’s why some parents look like siblings 😂😂
this is actually so cute. It’s really awesome how transparent you guys are being with the world. Although I cannot imagine how difficult it is to do that so go you!!! for doing it and being so honest and also just being so cute and happy together
I liked that you both gave each other space and then came back together to talk the problem out. Wish my mum would sit down nd have honest, defenceless conversations with me whenever we have conflict.
Buzzfeed needs to stop making profit off of other people’s relationship. This isn’t healthy for a relationship because everyone wants to put in their opinion and it forces the couple to act a certain way to not offend the audience. I could understand if maybe there was one or two videos, but there are points in a relationship that does not need to be broadcasted to the entire world. Why don’t the owners of buzzfeed try this out? Put yourself in their shoes literally.
M T true it shouldn’t be broadcasted but you shouldn’t let the opinion of strangers dictate how your relationship functions. And I’m sure they exaggerate for the camera😂
@@Guchslayer hm you do make sense, but people asked for it and aria and merle accepted it they made the video and that's it. And I don't think they were forced by buzz feed to make this video (one or two videos are kind of like that tho)
@@ritaki2758 Certain workplaces that ask employees to do projects expect them to do it. If the employee chooses not to do the task most times employers will never ask them to do that task or any other task like again. It kinda sends a negative message to the employer and I know no one wants to get on the bad side of the employer. There are situations that will challenge a persons morals and sometimes people will go against those morals to please another person, especially in the work place as long as it is not illegal to do. I think the tryguys speak about this and how buzzfeed sometimes forces their content creators to film certain things.
A think it is tough for all human relationships during this pandemic, we are facing something that we have never experienced before so communication and mutual understanding is key not only when it comes to close friends/family, but to everyone that crosses our path
I hope this relationship will last long. The way they are showing every step of their relationship is really scary. I mean, I really love them together. But I have seen breakups of public relationships and that is really sad. Hoping for the best ❤️
This video shows a great example of how communication has to be a major part in relationships. Couples as creators don’t always have to show their low points if they don’t want to (but thank you for sharing that, it’s very brave of you), but the healthy relationship model has to be shown in sm reality. So thank you a lot for voluntarily showing you communicating like that on RU-vid, I’m sure a lot of people will find that extremely encouraging and useful, wish you all the best♥️
Random fact: The word ‘quarantine’ derives from the Venetian dialect of Italian and the words ‘quaranta giorni’, meaning ‘forty days’. This is because when it was discovered that ships were infested with plague-carrying rats they were made to sit at anchor outside Venice’s city walls for forty days before coming ashore. -SciFacts
That conversation to resolve the issue is how you make a relationship work. Its about resolving the issue not winning or losing or hurting each other. ❤️
idk about yall but growing up in a divorced family surrounded by toxic relationships. Having an example of a healthy real relationship that isnt in a movie or tv is really important for me. I expected my relationships to be like my parents because ive never had or intimately seen a healthy relationship. Especially the conflict resolutions, in my family they would scream and dimimsh each other and then just ignore it and in films they would resolve conflict by exploting one of the partners traits, work or hobbies or have a ridiculous romantic gesture where they just forgive them. This video is important and needed for a lot of victims of domestic abuse so thank you.
I can relate, currently isolated with my 5 other family members and let's just say there are many ups and downs. Being around people 24/7 can be so draining and being alone or just taking some time to yourself is very beneficial
Wow. Watching this has made me somehow teary and more aware that everyone else is going through the same situation. Thank you buzzfeed for (milking*) sharing more Merlia content! Love it.
I was holding onto my alpaca plushie for dear life when the fight was going on! I am glad they worked it out. They're so sweet together, but at the same time it's sad that they feel pressure from their relationship because everyone is constantly like "they're so perfect for each other!"
This video hits at a perfect time for me. I'm going through the exact same thing with my partner. As a teenager first dating you don't truly realize how deep you have to look when in a relationship. If you truly love someone, you will work hard to work things out with your partner. It's SO important to communicate how you both feel. It clears the air and things feel so much better.
I think this is what couples needed to see during this time, I've been having similar problems with my boyfriend and it's so nice to know we aren't the only ones. Thank you for shedding the light on what's been going on.
This is normal, when me and my man reached our 3 months dating period we had the biggest fight, broke it off for 12 hours 😂 I guess we were getting out of our honeymoon stage, but now we are stronger than ever, 7 years this year! I don't know how long you've been dating but if you live together right away esp 24/7 your honeymoon stage will def end faster😂
This was nice to watch bc it always feels like a struggle for me to be the perfect girlfriend whenever I’m with my boyfriend and when I get annoyed at smth I feel so guilty and horrible for tainting his image of me. I can’t imagine getting married and having to spend most of my time around my SO.
I love this video. How wonderful to see 2 people working out how quarantine works for them together. Also to share a small argument, and more importantly see how they work through it is really cool for people to watch. I adore the open communication and honesty. I find the hardest part is saying it to eachother. I respect how brave it is to also share with us. Love you two, hope the cat wall is still secure. 👀 Ps, moving furniture around is essential for being home a lot.
It's so inspiring to see a healthy relationship with realistic conflict and proper resolution to that conflict. This internet relationship is making other relationships healthier by teaching! Incredible
When I discovered I could spend 24 hours with the girl I was dating I married her. That was 6 years ago and she's still the love of my life every day. It's never easy, but for us the key is understanding and honest communication (which is exactly what you both have! ). Aria is a such a keeper Merle, as is Merle for you Aria. I wish you both all the happiness in the world and apologise as I feel guilty watching you both live your personal lives for our entertainment (It's too cute though!)
I found with my boyfriend in the first year, whenever we wouldn’t respond to each other in the way we wanted, I felt terrible and devastated and I couldn’t function until we made it better. Now, sometimes we just give each other space (in the same house) until we cool off, and we remember that our respect and love for each other doesn’t go away simply because we can’t communicate to perfection every time. True respect will triumph over arguments or moments of miscommunication.
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Everyone needs some alone time every so often. I enjoy being with my friends and family, but I also enjoy doing some things by myself.
It is amazing to see their process being natural and unfiltered. Just how they talk about their misunderstandings supporting each other, and see how their love grow in their relationship when there was conflict. Learning that communication is important in a healthy relationship and to be thankful for what you have around you.
I needed this. My partner and I met each other in September 2019 and we did long distance (overseas) from then to February. One month into living together, and the quarantine starts and we have no choice but to be together 24/7. It has been hyper challenging as this stressful period brought both of our anxiety up and I have just been feeling super unworthy. It feels as if they have never had the chance to see me as I normally am since literally the day we met. It has been super challenging, but also full of growth and in a powerful way, it made us able to be more understanding of how each of us cope with hardships. I hope everyone reading this is ok.
But they AGREED to it.. It was THEIR decision, so it's better to keep it that way☺ Let them make their own decisions. Besides, it's their relationship bruh..
I can see how strong and healthy your guy's relationship is. It makes me so happy to see you guys be successful in such pressuring circumstances. Stay strong 💕💕
ive been quarantining with my boyfriend for the last month and this video makes me feel so validated and not alone. its been really fantastic and a bit of a challenge at times but its really easy to forget that these are unnatural times and circumstances. when we get upset/clash your brain just sort of jumps to it being a flaw in yourself/your relationship and you are telling yourself "we shouldnt be having these problems/i shouldnt be feeling this way" etc. its really nice to know that we arent the only ones experiencing it, and i really appreciate you guys showing your conflict resolution on camera, thank you for making this video!!!
Watching this is great insight. My new partner and I ended up quarantining together and we were just over a month into our relationship when the lockdowns happened and honestly it’s taken our relationship to a new level. We both though we might get into it or start resenting each other but we’ve just grown closer. Yes we have our disagreements but we are both communicating our emotions and talking everything out. It’s seriously such a breath of fresh air after leaving a toxic and emotionally abusive relationship. ❤️❤️ to have a partner that listens and tries to understand me has been such a blessing.
I really appreciate how transparent you guys have been during such a tiring and stressful time. I hope you all were able to take sufficient time away from the camera to communicate and heal and enjoy each other’s company. Be safe during this time
