Gloria and Emilio Estefan Reflect on 48 Years of Marriage, Share Secrets to Their Lasting Romance

Gloria and Emilio Estefan are reflecting on 48 years of marriage.

While chatting with PEOPLE on Monday, Oct. 5, in New York City at the 41st Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner, which honors athletes while raising money for The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis and research at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, the couple opened up about their long-lasting relationship.

Just last month, the pair celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. Even after nearly five decades of marriage, Gloria, 69, says she and Emilio, 73, still learn and grow from each other

We learn from each other every day,” the “Conga!” singer tells PEOPLE. “We’ve been together 50 years, married 48. But to be honest, it feels like a flash. It feels like we got married yesterday.”

The couple tied the knot in 1978, roughly three years after they met. They went on to have two children: son Nayib, 46, and daughter Emily, 31.

“We get along great,” Gloria says of herself and Emilio. “He makes me laugh even when he’s not intending to. And we are on the same page with values, priorities, music, business. So there’s rarely an argument about that. And I think there’s a lot to be said for that. And I love him deeply, deeply more every day

Emilio tells PEOPLE they keep the spark alive by surprising each other and never forgetting to say “I love you.”

“Every day is an anniversary,” he says. “If you keep that alive, that every day has to surprise and be something, and not forget to say I love you, that’s important

In 2018, the couple said the secret to keeping their marriage strong was respect and humor.

“Respect and love and, more than anything else, being Latino, you say, ‘Yes, baby, whatever you want,’ ” Emilio joked to Entertainment Tonight at the time. Gloria responded, “That is such a crock. You know what? He makes me laugh every single day of my life.”

On Sept. 2, Gloria posted a sweet tribute to her husband in honor of their 48th wedding anniversary.

“HAPPY 48th ANNIVERSARY, MILLO! 🥳 ,” she wrote on Instagram. “We’ve officially been together 50 years and I would still choose YOU every single year and forever! Te quiero mucho, mi morito! ❤️🌻❤️🌻.”

She also wished their son a happy 46th birthday. He was born exactly two years after the wedding. “You are and will always remain our best anniversary gift,” Gloria wrote in part.

That day, Emilio returned the love with a sweet message, in both Spanish and English, to Gloria.

“Yesterday we celebrated another year of your life and today, the immense joy of having you by my side. After 48 years together, I continue to thank God for you, for the beautiful family we have built, and for every dream we have shared,” he wrote on Instagram alongside photos of them throughout their relationship. “You are an extraordinary woman, my lifelong partner, and someone I admire more each day. Happy anniversary my love