Kyra Sedgwick wasn’t exactly taken aback by the surprising revelation that she and her husband, Kevin Bacon, are related.

The story of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick reads like a Hollywood fairytale. Their paths first crossed in 1978, when a 12-year-old Sedgwick approached the Footloose actor. A decade later, they found themselves reunited on the set of PBS’s Lemon Sky, where their connection blossomed into marriage on September 4, 1988. The couple welcomed their children, Travis and Sosie Ruth, in the subsequent years, marking the beginning of a remarkable 35-year journey together.

In an interview with PEOPLE, the couple shared insights into what keeps their marriage strong. Kyra, 58, emphasized their unwavering support and sense of humor, while Kevin, 65, highlighted the importance of spending quality time together.

Despite their enduring bond, a surprising twist unfolded in 2013 during an episode of Finding Your Roots. Host Henry Louis Gates Jr. revealed that Kyra and Kevin are not only linked through key moments in American history but also share a familial connection. DNA analysis unveiled that they are distant cousins, prompting Kyra’s delighted exclamation, “See. I knew it!”

Although Gates Jr. cautioned Kyra not to disclose this information prematurely, she couldn’t contain her excitement, leading Kevin to jest that she “cheated” by revealing the secret early. However, he acknowledged that their honesty is a cornerstone of their enduring relationship.

Kyra’s response to the revelation was characteristically nonchalant. During a 2017 Television Critics Association press tour, she quipped that she wasn’t surprised, attributing it to the common ancestry shared by many white people. Her candid demeanor reflects the couple’s grounded perspective on their unique familial connection amidst their celebrated love story.