Bechke and Petrov began dating in 1988, were married in 1990, but divorced in 1995. In Steve Milton's book, "Skate Talk", Bechke has said that while the marriage was not one of "convenience" (as was many times the case in the USSR), she did feel pressured by her parents to get married as she was getting "so old." Bechke and Petrov remained best friends and both said that their skating and friendship improved after the divorce. They even continued vacationing together after ending their off-ice relationship.