Experts on romance say for a happy marriage there has to be more than a passionate love. For a lasting union they insist there must be a genuine liking for each other. Which in my book is a good definition for friendship.
But to sustain a marriage for 50 years you have to get real a little bit and find someone who is understanding and who you can grow with. My mom always says 'Marry the man who loves you a millimeter more.'
