7. Keep evolving in mind, body, and spirit—While we don’t always grow at the same rate, Glenn and I have each continued to evolve over the decades. We read a lot, take and teach classes, and remain committed to living interesting lives. As we’ve continued to grow, we haven’t grown apart. So continuing to experience new things together and separately keeps us interesting to each other, and also to ourselves.
8. Be there for each other in tough times—When our parents became ill a few years ago, we were there for each other through the crises, both practical and emotional. Knowing we could rely on each other as we put our parents into nursing homes made all the difference when Glenn’s dad got cancer and my parents both had strokes. When our fathers each passed away, we realized we could count on each other in our final years together. After nearly thirty years, that means more than almost anything else in a relationship and is priceless.
As Andre Maurois also said, “A successful marriage is an edifice that must be rebuilt every day.” The glue between the bricks of this edifice can be forged by doing some of the things noted above. If you keep laughing and growing together, your long conversation will definitely feel too short if it ever ends.
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