"We are told that people stay in love because of chemistry, or because they remain intrigued with each other, because of many kindnesses, because of luck.  But part of it has got to be forgiveness and gratefulness." Ellen Goodman

from here

"... And like the novels that end up being wonderful books because you tapped a subject and characters that deeply hold you, the marriages that last and are fairly successful are probably the ones in which you've found someone with whom the roots can go deep and the space can open wide and surprises can happen."   Julia Alvarez