Ukrainian sociologists recently conducted an interesting research: they met and interviewed dozens of couples who have lived together happily for 50 years and more. Traditionally, a marriage that lasts as long as 50 years is called a “golden marriage” here, and most of those people are over 70 today. The couples were interviewed all over the country; they have shared their “secrets” of stable relationships.

Among their stories, there are many sad, uneasy, and even dramatic epizodes, but every couple confirmed that they went through the hardships together. All in all, the interviewers could pick out three main features which were common for all couples that helped them remain together-

• sharing pains and hardships;
• tact; and
• hugging daily.

Amazing, isn’t it? One may say, “How can it be that simple?” Yet this is true! I think those people simply learned to take each other’s emotions, troubles and chores as their own (maybe even higher), while mutual respect and daily hugs worked to cement the relationships and lead them through life.