Mary Cosby from “RHOSLC” Reflects on Her Cherished Wedding Memory as She Approaches 26 Years with Robert Cosby Sr. (Exclusive)

Reality TV star Mary Cosby is taking a heartfelt trip down memory lane as she and her husband, Robert Cosby Sr., approach their 26th wedding anniversary. The couple, who tied the knot in 1998 and share a son, Robert Jr., are celebrating their milestone anniversary on September 28.

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star, 51, shared some of her most cherished memories from their special day.

“My favorite memory was the restaurant that we went to,” Mary fondly recalls. “We got married at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago. And we went to this restaurant called The Pump Room, and it had these big tall chairs. There was this lady playing the piano and singing Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time.’ It just resonated with me.”

Mary continues, “It was so good, and I’ll never forget that moment. I’ll never forget that day. I felt like I did the Lord’s will. I felt like I was in His divine will. And there’s no feeling like that. Money can’t even buy that. And that’s the memory I hold onto when I think about our wedding.”

The history of Mary and Robert Sr.’s relationship has long intrigued fans, especially after Mary revealed during the first season of RHOSLC that their marriage was “arranged.” She explained that Robert Sr. was her late grandmother’s second husband, making their union all the more complex.

“I always say, ‘I have beauty in all my mess.’ The reality is, I’m married to my grandmother’s second husband, which was my step-grandfather,” Mary candidly shared in a confessional.

She further elaborated on how the arrangement came to be: “Before she passed, [my grandmother] made it very clear that she wanted me to be the one to take her place in the church and inherit everything. That came with homes, money, our church, and also marrying her husband.”

Mary didn’t shy away from the unusual circumstances, adding with a laugh, “Don’t think it wasn’t weird, because it was!”

Over two decades later, Mary and Robert Sr. are still going strong, now parents to their son, Robert Jr., who is in his 20s and occasionally appears on the reality show. Reflecting on the longevity of their marriage, Mary shares, “If I can keep a husband that long, especially a step-granddad, you know that’s off. But I’m happy… because he is my best friend.”

She continues, “I did it because I felt like my grandmother wanted it, and I trusted her so much. I didn’t want to do it, but I did. And today, I’m thankful that I did. I’m happy because I did, and I’m blessed because I did. Everything beautiful in my life, including my son, comes from this marriage.”

When asked what she loves most about her husband, Mary is quick to highlight his dedication and the way he treats her.

“I love that Robert is a hard worker,” she says. “He’s not lazy. He’s a bishop, and he lives up to that role. I love that he respects me, and I respect him. He finds pleasure in buying me gifts, and he buys me the most beautiful things… things I wouldn’t even think to look at if he hadn’t given them to me.”

Mary also praises the foundation of their relationship, noting that their friendship is what holds everything together. “We have a really authentic, good, healthy friendship. And it comes first, before our relationship, before our marriage.”

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Their relationship wasn’t always so clear-cut. In the first season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Mary revealed that their union initially started as a friendship and slowly blossomed into romance.

She recalled the awkwardness of their wedding night, admitting they didn’t consummate their marriage that evening. “The wedding night, everything was weird,” she said with a chuckle. “Thank goodness I was on my period.”

However, over time, Mary came to appreciate Robert Sr. more deeply. “After we married, I had to get to know him,” she explained. “I really felt like, ‘Wow, my grandmother really nailed it. If I had to pick a guy, this is what I’d pick.’”

As their 26th wedding anniversary approaches, Mary and Robert Sr. continue to show that unconventional love stories can stand the test of time.

Catch new episodes of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.