“We’ve been married for 30 years. We first met in a hospital in New Hampshire and knew each other as friends for two years. Then I moved to New York, but we reconnected. I hitchhiked every weekend until she sent me a telegram: 'Please, come to me. I can’t live without you.'”

I thought the story was nice, but still asked them my customary question about the key to a successful marriage. She launched into a heartfelt praise, describing how he was the most generous person she knew and how he wanted everyone around him to be happy.

“I guess I agree with that,” he said, “but I should also add: frequent and intense sex.”