Sometimes people ask about the secret to our long marriage. DW and I say that there are 2 factors: 1) You have to marry young, and 2) you have to be too stubborn to leave. She's just kidding about #2, I think. 35 years this past August.
37 years.
Guess I can't try to convince people I'm 39 years old.
The tax penalty was a factor in the date of our wedding. My husband suggested 1/1 - and I popped back with - Yay- that works for taxes. He thought I was nuts till I explained that two working people with decent income can be pushed into a higher tax bracket if married.Marriage is a thing created by governments. It is tax oppressive and obsolete.
We always joke that our marriage was a good thing for society, because it "got two of 'em off the streets."
2) you have to be too stubborn to leave. She's just kidding about #2, I think.
When I was a bartender, one older couple said something like this. He was about 90. He said she was always welcome to leave, and if she wanted to come back, she would have to stand in line.