From Mother Magazine:
Tim and Sandy, married 32 years, Petaluma, California
Sandy: "I’m one of those fortunate people who fall more deeply in love with their spouse as time goes by. When asked to share why I thought I ended up with such good fortune, a string of clichés immediately ran through my head: effective communication, team work, respect, luck, time. Cliché as these thoughts may be, they ring true for us. First, I believe both spouses have to be willing to do the hard work that creates a team. This is where I think luck has a hand. And though all of the above clichés are running smoothly for us and have been for many years, it took a lot of patience and perseverance to arrive at this spot. This is the time factor. It takes two players, hard work, and time to create a good marital team. I don’t want to imply that we no longer annoy, nag, or frustrate each other—believe me, we do. It’s how we handle those moments that make us work. There is also the unspoken communication; the exchanged looks, the touches, and small actions that show we are thinking of each other. We actively watch for ways we can make each other’s day go a bit smoother, whether it’s an encouraging smile, a helping hand, or a quick hug. All major decisions are made after discussion and, as with any team, compromises are made." Tim: "I agree with Sandy, which makes it easy for us to get along. In other words, 'What she said'. Oh, and Coffee—my first job of the day is to bring coffee to Sandy—coffee may be the key to a happy marriage."
