James Blake and Jameela Jamil.Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/GettyJameela Jamilis opening up abouther seven-year relationshipwith musicianJames Blake.“We’re just very strategic about where we go and when we go and we share our dog,” the actress, 36, told PEOPLE at Elle’s Women in Hollywood Celebration on Monday night in Los Angeles. “We’ve got to make sure that we’re all together with the dog.“Besides doting on their pup named Barold –– whomJamil posted aboutonFather’s Daythis year — the couple also make sure to do the same for one another.“It’s morning and coffee and biscuits time, like cookies in America,” the British actress says. “That is our sacred practice every morning. Even if one of us has to wake up at 4 in the morning — with work, it’s normally me — he’ll get up, even if he went to bed at 1 a.m., to make sure we have that time.“She adds, “We’ve been together almost eight years. And so the rituals and the consideration helps keep the love alive, and he’s my best friend.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.The couple first sparked dating rumors after Jamil posteda cuddly photo of themtogether during her birthday celebration in February 2015.Over the years, the 34-year-old and his girlfriend havecelebrated red-carpet moments,produced music together, and grown together as a couple.In an interview withDazedmagazine in 2019, Blake opened up about how theGood Placeactress has inspired him to be more outspoken about his feelings.“It feels good now to justbe able to tell people how I feel,” he told the publication. “I think it’s because I met my girlfriend, and there was no room for pretense. She speaks her mind. It was like, ‘Tell me how you feel. Tell me what you’re thinking.’ ““In my everyday life, I wasn’t being encouraged to sit behind metaphor or sit behind long silences or be in a mood without explaining what it’s about,” theGrammywinner added.James Blake and Jameela Jamil.Emma McIntyre/GettyThe body-empowerment activist has also had no problem speaking up about how Blake has affected her outlook on life.During a 2019 appearance onEmma Gannon’sCtrl Alt Deletepodcast, Jamil said Blake has taught her “to stick up for myself.““He’s been a great force. I understand the brain of white male privilege now. I’ve been with him for four years … I decided to try and live my life as he does,” she said. “If he doesn’t need his nails done before a mag interview, then neither do I. He spends five minutes getting ready, then so do I.“And being “best friends” helps too.“Highly recommend loving your best friend,” theShe-Hulkactress captioneda Valentine’s Day tributeto her musician beau this year.

James Blake and Jameela Jamil.Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

James Blake and Jameela Jamil attend Vanity Fair, Amazon Studios and Audi Celebrate The 2020 Awards Season at San Vicente Bungalows on January 04, 2020 in West Hollywood, California.

Jameela Jamilis opening up abouther seven-year relationshipwith musicianJames Blake.“We’re just very strategic about where we go and when we go and we share our dog,” the actress, 36, told PEOPLE at Elle’s Women in Hollywood Celebration on Monday night in Los Angeles. “We’ve got to make sure that we’re all together with the dog.“Besides doting on their pup named Barold –– whomJamil posted aboutonFather’s Daythis year — the couple also make sure to do the same for one another.“It’s morning and coffee and biscuits time, like cookies in America,” the British actress says. “That is our sacred practice every morning. Even if one of us has to wake up at 4 in the morning — with work, it’s normally me — he’ll get up, even if he went to bed at 1 a.m., to make sure we have that time.“She adds, “We’ve been together almost eight years. And so the rituals and the consideration helps keep the love alive, and he’s my best friend.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.The couple first sparked dating rumors after Jamil posteda cuddly photo of themtogether during her birthday celebration in February 2015.Over the years, the 34-year-old and his girlfriend havecelebrated red-carpet moments,produced music together, and grown together as a couple.In an interview withDazedmagazine in 2019, Blake opened up about how theGood Placeactress has inspired him to be more outspoken about his feelings.“It feels good now to justbe able to tell people how I feel,” he told the publication. “I think it’s because I met my girlfriend, and there was no room for pretense. She speaks her mind. It was like, ‘Tell me how you feel. Tell me what you’re thinking.’ ““In my everyday life, I wasn’t being encouraged to sit behind metaphor or sit behind long silences or be in a mood without explaining what it’s about,” theGrammywinner added.James Blake and Jameela Jamil.Emma McIntyre/GettyThe body-empowerment activist has also had no problem speaking up about how Blake has affected her outlook on life.During a 2019 appearance onEmma Gannon’sCtrl Alt Deletepodcast, Jamil said Blake has taught her “to stick up for myself.““He’s been a great force. I understand the brain of white male privilege now. I’ve been with him for four years … I decided to try and live my life as he does,” she said. “If he doesn’t need his nails done before a mag interview, then neither do I. He spends five minutes getting ready, then so do I.“And being “best friends” helps too.“Highly recommend loving your best friend,” theShe-Hulkactress captioneda Valentine’s Day tributeto her musician beau this year.

Jameela Jamilis opening up abouther seven-year relationshipwith musicianJames Blake.

“We’re just very strategic about where we go and when we go and we share our dog,” the actress, 36, told PEOPLE at Elle’s Women in Hollywood Celebration on Monday night in Los Angeles. “We’ve got to make sure that we’re all together with the dog.”

Besides doting on their pup named Barold –– whomJamil posted aboutonFather’s Daythis year — the couple also make sure to do the same for one another.

“It’s morning and coffee and biscuits time, like cookies in America,” the British actress says. “That is our sacred practice every morning. Even if one of us has to wake up at 4 in the morning — with work, it’s normally me — he’ll get up, even if he went to bed at 1 a.m., to make sure we have that time.”

She adds, “We’ve been together almost eight years. And so the rituals and the consideration helps keep the love alive, and he’s my best friend.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

The couple first sparked dating rumors after Jamil posteda cuddly photo of themtogether during her birthday celebration in February 2015.

Over the years, the 34-year-old and his girlfriend havecelebrated red-carpet moments,produced music together, and grown together as a couple.

In an interview withDazedmagazine in 2019, Blake opened up about how theGood Placeactress has inspired him to be more outspoken about his feelings.

“It feels good now to justbe able to tell people how I feel,” he told the publication. “I think it’s because I met my girlfriend, and there was no room for pretense. She speaks her mind. It was like, ‘Tell me how you feel. Tell me what you’re thinking.’ "

“In my everyday life, I wasn’t being encouraged to sit behind metaphor or sit behind long silences or be in a mood without explaining what it’s about,” theGrammywinner added.

James Blake and Jameela Jamil.Emma McIntyre/Getty

James Blake and Jameela Jamil

The body-empowerment activist has also had no problem speaking up about how Blake has affected her outlook on life.

During a 2019 appearance onEmma Gannon’sCtrl Alt Deletepodcast, Jamil said Blake has taught her “to stick up for myself.”

“He’s been a great force. I understand the brain of white male privilege now. I’ve been with him for four years … I decided to try and live my life as he does,” she said. “If he doesn’t need his nails done before a mag interview, then neither do I. He spends five minutes getting ready, then so do I.”

And being “best friends” helps too.

“Highly recommend loving your best friend,” theShe-Hulkactress captioneda Valentine’s Day tributeto her musician beau this year.

source: people.com