Every morning, I get both my daily horoscope and my daily romantic horoscope sent directly to my email. I don't usually put too much stock in what they say, but every now and again, something poignant pops up and surprises me. Of course, I found this one, which was in my email this morning, to be incredibly poignant:

"For a lesson in 'Relationships 101,' watch how older married couples approach problems. Do they immediately deal with the matter at hand or wait and see? Take notes."

This is absolutely fantastic advice - advice that Aaron and I have heeded since day one of our relationship. We've had both great examples and horrific examples from older couples in our lives, and we have certainly taken notes. One couple in particular, we'll just call them L & S to protect their identities, are one of the most amazing examples we've ever known. They've been married for at least 30 years and they still interact as if they are newlyweds. They approach their problems as a team. When they are upset with one another, they use kind, loving tones to express their frustration. They don't generalize with things like "You always," or "You never." Basically, they've got communication down to a perfect science.

Chapters 6 and 7 of The Happiest Couple on the Block take a page (or ten) out of L & S's playbook. To learn more about how long-term happy couples approach problems in their lives, check out the book!