Candace Cameron Bure, best known for her role as D.J. Tanner on Full House, has been sharing surprisingly candid revelations about her nearly three-decade marriage to former NHL player Valeri Bure. In a recent podcast episode, the actress described an unexpected and unsettling experience that tested their boundaries.
"We walked in, and my eyeballs were popping out of my head because I saw stuff I’ve never seen before in my life," Bure recalled on The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast. "And I’m looking at Val, going like, 'How are we here? What is happening?'"
The couple had accepted an invitation to what they believed was a regular social gathering, only to discover it was an underground S&M party. Bure described the atmosphere as "so dark and demonic," prompting them to make an immediate exit. "We made a hard U-turn and walked right out of there," she shared. "And it just was like so slimy and weird."
Beyond that jarring incident, Bure has been refreshingly open about the intimate aspects of her marriage, particularly within the context of her Christian faith. She addressed criticism over a playful Instagram photo from 2020 in which Valeri was seen grabbing her breast, defending it as a lighthearted moment between long-term partners.
"I've been married for 24 years. I'm a Christian, my husband's a Christian, and I'm really proud that we've managed to stay married for 24 years," she stated in response to the backlash.
Bure also revealed that she struggled with reconciling her sexuality with her religious beliefs early in their marriage. "For a few years, I would have sex with my husband thinking like, 'Oh my gosh, is God looking at me and like is this bad? Is he mad?'" she confessed. She expressed sadness about the shame sometimes associated with intimacy in Christian communities and emphasized the importance of celebrating marital sexuality.
The couple, who tied the knot in 1996 and share three children—Natasha, Lev, and Maksim—have faced their share of challenges. Bure admitted that during the pandemic, their marriage was "going south quickly" due to the pressures of lockdowns and changing family dynamics.
A turning point came when their son Lev delivered an impassioned biblical message that helped them recommit to their relationship. Bure reflected on the necessity of continuous adaptation in marriage, noting, "I think year to year you have to reevaluate what’s working, what’s not. How are the schedules changing? And you have to continually adapt to what’s new to figure out your rhythms."
As they navigate their 30th year together, Bure's confessions highlight a marriage that has evolved through unexpected adventures, spiritual growth, and a commitment to weathering life's tests together.