Harlot's Sauce: A Memoir of Food, Family, Love, Loss, and Greece by Patricia V. Davis

$13.95

Paperback

What are the secrets to a long and happy marriage? Well, it took me a while to find a dozen couples who have been married for 30 years or more who could answer that question, but once I did, their answers were surprisingly simple. Below are their top five rules for maintaining a joyful, lasting relationship:

1. An argument isn't a contest. In marriage there should never be a "winner" or a "loser."

This advice was shared by most of the couples, including one husband and wife who've been married for more than 58 years. They say, "In an argument between a husband and wife, one 'winner' in the short run equals two losers in the long run." A differing point of view is only that -- a differing point of view. Two opinions on any one issue make for a discussion, not a shouting match. Differences also don't have to be resolved in one sitting. If things get too uncomfortable, table the discussion for another day.

Discover the other four on Aisledash.

By the way, Ivory Madison of Red Room put me in touch with the AOL people, which is one of the great ways in which she's bringing traffic to Red Room and getting attention for Red Room's authors.