In my book, 30 Lessons for Loving: Advice from the Wisest Americans on Love, Relationships, and Marriage, I used pseudonyms for all of the couples in the book. I did that to preserve anonymity – even though many of the elders would have liked having their names in print!

So it’s nice when readers can meet some of the elders in their own, real identities. The Miami Herald published an article today featuring three couples who are in the book, telling their own marriage stories and lessons in more detail. I hope you enjoy meeting them as much as I did!

When it comes to love and marriage, here are two things we know from both research and everyday experience.

First, many young people today find the whole issue of committed relationships to be complex, difficult, and confusing.

Second, despite that fact, they still believe in marriage. In fact, surveys show that the vast majority of people in their 20s and 30s plan to get married, hope it will last forever, and expect to be faithful to their partner.

The question is: Where can they get information and advice to reach those goals? As a family sociologist, a few years ago the idea hit me: Why not go to the oldest people in our society and ask their advice for love and marriage? It struck me that people looking back from the finish line of marriage might have useful insights for younger folks. And I wasn’t disappointed: As described in my book 30 Lessons for Loving, our elders have advice that is fresh, unexpected, and most of all useful.

The following are some “expert” tips for finding the right person and staying together happily for decades.

1. Look for someone a lot like you. There’s a powerful theme in romantic culture – that opposites attract and make good mates. The idea is that two very different people from divergent backgrounds come together and love conquers all. Not so much, say the elders. Their strongest recommendation is to marry someone who is generally similar to you. Marriage is difficult for anyone, but it’s much easier with someone who shares your interests, background, and orientation.

2. Do small, positive things every day. What can you do to keep the spark alive and the marriage interesting for decades? The elders advise you to think small. The view from the end tells you that a marriage is made up of hundreds of daily interactions. In each of those you have a chance to be positive, to be cheerful, to be supportive. They suggest that you make a habit of doing small, positive things. One idea that came up often is doing your partner’s chore. Say it’s 6 AM on a cold, rainy morning, the dog is scratching on the bedroom door, and it’s your partner’s turn to walk him – but you get up and do it. That’s money in the bank for the relationship.

3. Keep talking. The elders believe that many marital problems can be solved through open communication. One man put it colorfully: “Keep yapping at one another.” According to the elders, the strong, silent type may be initially attractive – but probably doesn’t make the best marriage partner. As one 80-something told me: “If you can’t communicate, you’re just two dead ducks.” And men: yes, this means you. The elders don’t allow for excuses like “I’m a guy – we don’t talk about feelings.” Older men advise you to learn how – they did, and it was worth it.

4. Accept your partner as is. When you are getting serious about someone, the elders say you must accept your partner as is, or don’t get married. You should never say to yourself: “After we’re married, she or he will lose weight/get a job/like my family/change heart about having kids” – or any other behavior or attitude you don’t like. Instead, ask yourself: “Can I live with this trait for a lifetime. And at any point in a relationship, making your partner a do-it-yourself project only leads to anger and disappointment.

5. Don’t be a “white knight.” Many elders pointed out a behavior they view as a “communication killer.” And the problem with this behavior is that it usually stems from people’s best intentions: love and concern for their partner. Sometimes someone simply wishes to be listened to while expressing sadness, stress, or upset. However, in an effort to help, her mate jumps in immediately to try to solve the problem. .What your partner wants most, according to the elders, is to be heard and helped to come to her own solution. In such cases, a spouse’s desire to “fix things” is seen as unwelcome and shuts down the conversation. The elders tell you to tamp down the urge to be a fixer. Instead, control the white knight impulse and simply be there for your partner when she needs it.

6. Marriage is hard.  Even though this is not on the minds of couples getting engaged or standing at the altar, the elders want you to know that marriage is hard. It’s tough – both because of the range of stresses and problems that confront all couples, but also because of the fundamental difficulty of merging two separate and different people into one single life. I learned that they see marriage as a discipline, like becoming an athlete or a musician – you never reach perfection, you are constantly learning, and you sacrifice short-term gain for something more rewarding later on.

7. But marriage for a lifetime is worth it. Being with someone for a half century or more, the elders told me, is incredibly good. It is a sublime experience, a connection to another person unlike any other relationship. The elders describe it as the experience of a lifetime – even better than the heart-throbbing passion of meeting someone new. For people who make it, it even beats the heart-pounding passion of falling in love for the first time. So making a marriage last may be hard, but the elders also want young people to know that it’s worth the effort.

A few weeks ago, I posted about three mistakes people make in choosing a partner. These “warning signs”  came from my studies of over 700 older people, who shared their lessons about love, relationships and marriage (detailed in 30 Lessons for Loving: Advice from the Wisest Americans on Love, Relationships, and Marriage, just published this month).

Readers now want to know, however: “What should I do to make a smart choice?”  I’m happy to offer you what people who have made it to the finish line of marriage say are the smart moves for mate selection. Based on around 25,000 years of married life, here are three of the elders’ tips for making the smart decision about a mate.

1. Marry someone who can talk. The elders told me that the strong, silent type can be very attractive – but is not so great as a life partner for decades. Instead, they agreed that for a successful marriage you need to talk. Sure, differences exist among individuals in just how open or reserved they are. But the elders say that once you are in a marriage, you need to add one more marital vow: to have and hold, to care in sickness and health – and to talk

The elders agree: There’s no way to be married happily for decades unless your partner is a talker. Not all the time, if that’s not his or her personality. But when there are important issues in the relationship, decisions to be made, disappointment or dissatisfaction that is festering – then things are different. At such times, your partner simply must be able to talk freely and constructively about important issues, or the marriage is not likely to be happy, or even to last.

Cora, 72, told me:

Always, always talk to one another. That is very important because you lose sight of your marriage if you don’t talk. What’s the sense of two people living together if they’re not going to communicate about things that are happening? If you don’t communicate, then you’re not going to get along.

Joshua, 81, was even blunter:

If you can’t communicate, then there’s no intimacy. You’re just two dead ducks.

The elders say that the smart move is to marry someone who can comfortably share ideas and feelings. And it’s not just talking about problems. Equally important, they believe that frequent and vibrant conversation keeps the relationship spark alive. One diagnostic test: Can you go out for dinner and maintain a mutually interesting conversation over a long meal? If so, it’s a very good sign.

2. You’re happy with your partner as is.

There is one issue on which long-married elders are unanimous: Getting married based on a plan to change your partner is a terrible mistake. Treating your potential spouse as a do-it-yourself project is a recipe for failure. Most of them made that mistake themselves, and they have seen their children and grandchildren do it too. People are so much in love – or desperate to settle on a partner – that they indulge in the false hope that they can make their mate into someone new.

The elders are blunt about this lesson. Darren, 79, told me:

Changing someone after marriage? It never happens. Don’t’ try to force your likes or dislikes on somebody. All the things that annoy you – either you can accept them or look for somebody else.

And Melissa, 82, added:

It’s human nature to want to change somebody. But if I want to change you, what got me to like you in the first place? They’re not going to change because the other person wants to make them change.

After talking to the elders, I came up with a list of “Things You May Tell Yourself about Your Partner that Won’t Come True.” It includes statements like this (male and female pronouns are randomly used – these apply to both genders!)

He thinks he doesn’t want kids, but that will change after we get married.

• She hates my family now, but they’ll grow on her.
• After we’re married, I’ll get him on a diet and he’ll lose that gut.
• I’ll put us on a budget so she can’t keep racking up credit card debt.

The list can go on and on – and the elders tell you to that this kind of thinking is all wrong.

The smart move: List out your partner’s personality characteristics or behaviors and ask yourself, “Can I live with them for a lifetime if they never change?” If the answer’s yes, the elders say you are heading in the right direction.

3. Your partner is financially responsible.

First, let me be clear: the elders believe in love. In fact, when I sorted through responses to the question, “What advice would you give to young person about choosing a mate,” the top answer was: “Be in Love!” However, they warn that following only your heart-pounding passion into marriage is a prescription for disaster. I can’t put it any clearer than Stanley, age 66:

The glow of love shouldn’t wipe out all the logic and the rational common sense that you need to make the decision of who you’re going to marry.

Because marriage is much more than the feeling of being in love. Instead, it’s a formal economic and legal arrangement that makes couples financial lives inextricably entwined. Yes, believe in love – but the smart move is not to be blind to practicalities. And one of these the ability to make a living and handle money.

Most couples in our society need two incomes to achieve their financial goals. Therefore, the elders say that men and women alike must ask the question: Will the person I’m in love with be economically viable. Your economic success and standard of living will be connected inextricably to that of another person. The elders suggest you take off your rose-colored glasses for a moment and examine two things.

As Cecilia, age 74, put it:

It’s hard to think about material things when you’re physically attracted to someone; it’s hard to put that aside. But one thing to look at is both of your attitudes toward work. It’s awfully hard to be working all the time and someone else is sitting there watching you. If one has to be carried all the time, that’s hard. Does the person want to succeed in school, or succeed in their work, or succeed period? It’s something you need to take into consideration.

In addition, conscientious money management is diagnostic for the relationship’s future. You will, they say, be truly wedded to your partner’s financial attitudes and behaviors. Eric, age 69, told me:

One of the most frequent reasons for marriage breakups has to do with financial problems. And those are things that people can generally tell in advance. If you’re talking about somebody that’s totally profligate in their spending habits, it’s a warning sign.

So there you have it – three smart moves to compliment the three “dumb” mistakes I wrote about earlier. For many more relationship tips from the elders, take a look at the book and visit us at www.marriagelegacy.org.

What’s exhausting, exhiliarating, fun, and challenging, all at the same time? There are a bunch of reasonable answers, but I can definitely offer this one: Launching a new book!

30 Lessons for Loving: Advice from the Wisest Americans on Love, Relationships, and Marriage was published by Hudson Streeet Press/Penguin on January 8. That meant a slew of interviews leading up to the date, then a trip to New York City for a fascinating range of appearances. Although the publicity for the book is always great, equally important is the outpouring of interest in elder wisdom and advice. All the media professionals with whom I interacted “got it” regarding the value of elders as sages and advice givers.

A big thrill was appearing on CBS This Morning. I was of course nervous, but hosts Charlie Rose, Norah O’Donnell, and Gayle King made me feel right at home.

This appearance followed a big spread in USA Today about the book, by the wonderful journalist Nanci Hellmich. I’m so grateful to Nanci for beautifully capturing the spirit of the oldest and wisest Americans in this piece.

I was also welcomed by the co-hosts of the interview show Arise 360, for an in-depth discussion about the book (that’s the picture accompanying this post). Wonderful conversation – check out their website for where to view the show.

Few people make an interview more fun than the wise and witty host of AARP Radio, Mike Cuthbert. That interview will air soon – check out their web page for times.

But Shelli Sonstein gives him a run for his money – my interview for “Sonstein Sunday” on New York City’s WAXQ airs tomorrow (January 10). Listen in on 104.3 FM at 7 AM, or grab the podcast on the site soon thereafter (if that’s too early!).

There’s more coming – check out this Monday’s Wall Street Journal, this month’s Elle Magazine, and the Parents Magazine web site, just for starters! Now I’m going back to bed…

The media interest in 30 Lessons for Loving: Advice from the Wisest Americans on Love, Relationships, and Marriage has been pretty overwhelming. It is incredibly gratifying  to see that elder wisdom strikes a chord with so many people.

And I’m thrilled to have the chance to discuss the book on January 8 on CBS This Morning! Please join me – and feel free to comment here with your reactions.

And there’s an article in USA Today on the book, too: Hundreds of Retirees Share Secrets to a Happy Marriage.

The countdown is on for the publication of 30 Lessons for Loving: Advice from the Wisest Americans on Love, Relationships, and Marriage! The book hits the shelves on January 8, and we’re gearing up for media coverage (more to come on that soon!). We hope you will help us spread the word about this new product of our research on elder wisdom.

Check out the website, where you can watch the new book trailer and explore more about elder wisdom on love and marriage.

Many people have been asking about the book and the Marriage Advice Project, on which it is based. So we thought we’d share this coverage by ABC News that sums it up beautifully.

Thanks to reporter Megan Healey for a sensitive and uplifting report.

 Below is the article that accompanied the broadcast. And you can enjoy the video here.

In conducting the research for my new book (coming out on January 8), I asked a lot of younger people what they wanted to know from long-married elders about how to live “happily ever after.” And one of their biggest questions was: How do I know someone is the right – or wrong – one for me? As they so often do, the elders have some great advice.

I’ll be blunt. Even though chosing a mate can seem incredibly complicated, the elders have one very simple rule for you

Don’t be dumb in choosing your partner!

Over and over, when it comes to marriage the elders point to decisions that completely ignore the evidence and show bad judgment. They believe there are a set of signs so strong and compelling that they tell you to get out of the relationship. However all too many people ignore the clear warnings and get married — and, the elders tell us, live through a horrendous period (or even an entire married life), suffering the consequences of that dumb decision.

Sifting through hundreds of responses, I learned about four warning signs that should make you very reluctant to commit to a relationship. Most people know these signs are wrong — but hope that they can change their partner or that they won’t matter. The elders say this self-delusion is a huge mistake. And please note: For those of you already in a relationship, these warnings still apply. They are a diagnostic tool for deciding whether your marriage needs a fix (or an exit strategy).

Warning Sign # 1: Violence toward you of any kind

Yes, this point may seem obvious. But I have to put it first and foremost, because entering marriage after experiencing dating violence is still shockingly common, despite decades of warnings from researchers, physicians, and counselors.

On this issue, the elders are unequivocal: If your partner hits you or tries to hurt you in any way, get out. If it happens while you are dating, they firmly state, it will happen in your marriage. As Joan, age 84, put it

Don’t ever, ever get involved with somebody who is abusive at all physically, because you are asking for trouble. They may say that they are going to change and you may think that you will change them – News flash: you are not going to. I tried changing him and I gave up and left. I don’t care how many times person tells you they’re sorry and they’re never going to do that again. I think you find that they do.

I could spend a long time offering you detailed accounts from the elders who made the mistake of marrying someone who had been violent toward them, only to have the physical abuse escalate after marriage. But you probably know it already – make sure to act on it.

Warning Sign # 2: Explosive and Unexplained Anger while Dating

The elders assert that a huge warning sign is explosive and unreasonable anger. They tell you to beware of a person who seems to “get angry over nothing” or “has a bad temper” — anyone whose anger is disproportionate to the situation.

Most important, be aware that these outbursts initially may not be directed toward you. During courtship, they say, people are can keep their anger toward their prospective partner under control. Therefore, you need to look carefully at how he or she responds to frustrating situations and to other people. Annette, 76, dodged a bullet with a man she was getting serious about. She told me:

I dated someone and I was in the subway with him in the city, and we missed the train because we were on the wrong side of the platform. We were walking up the stairs and he took a whole bunch of change out of his pocket and he said some terrible things and threw all of his money down the stairs because he was very angry that we had missed the train. And when that happened, I looked at that person and I said: “This is not a person I want to spend my life with!”

It only was a minute, but you know, it was very telling. You can tell what kind of a person a person is if you miss your plane, if you lose your luggage, if you are caught outside on a rainy day, or something like that. In those stressful situations if they’re going to just stand there and curse up a storm or throw something, ask yourself if want to spend your life with a person with those coping skills.

Everyone tells little white lies (in answer to things like “Do these pants make me look fat?”). But the elders say pay careful attention to someone who is dishonest. Clearly, dishonesty to you is a probably deal-breaker. As Pamela, 91, warns:

All the sudden not coming home. Lying about where they’ve been or been with or what they’ve been doing. Secret phone calls. All kinds of things like that. Trust is a big issue and once you lose that, it’s very difficult to regain. You might put it on the back burner but you’re always going to be suspicious.

The elders also suggest you look for even small kinds of dishonesty in your potential mate. Does he or she cheat on tests? Take small items from work? Routinely lie his or her way out of situations? They believe that these are all warning signs of dishonesty that will spill eventually into your relationship.

Warning Sign 4: Sarcasm and Teasing

The problem with these two behaviors is that they are often portrayed as “just in fun.” When you get angry in response, you are accused of “not having a sense of humor.” The elders advise you to beware of anyone who engages in mean-spirited sarcasm or whose teasing crosses the border into aggression.

Barbara, age 70, left her first husband after a few years because she sensed the dark side that lurked behind his sarcasm:

Pay attention to behavioral signs. Somebody who is persistently, consistently, always sarcastic and critical, that should have been a warning sign to me that I was dealing with somebody who couldn’t function very well in the world. So I think that’s something that a young person can look for — this profound kind of sarcasm.

Margaret, age 90, had to reach an agreement with her husband to end teasing in their relationship. She told me:

Teasing is very dangerous. Teasing is like bullying. It demeans the other person, that kind of mocking behavior. It’s supposed to be kidding, but it’s a good warning sign, because it really devalues the other person.

Sometimes love and marriage seem incredibly complicated. But a great thing about talking with the elders is they make it simple and crystal clear: Far too many people make a dumb decision in choosing a mate, and live to regret it for years. By avoiding these four dangerous traps, you can make an intelligent decision — and one that increases your chances of living happily ever after.

For more information on the book and on the Marriage Advice Project, please visit the website, like the project on Facebook, and follow on Twitter:@karlpillemer.

We are so proud of the interns who worked with us over the past summer! This post comes from Madeline Weinfeld, a junior at Cornell University majoring in Human Development and minoring in Business. She reports that she truly enjoyed every interview she conducted during the internship and applies the lessons she learned to her life today. The exoerience helped Madeline realize how important and valuable elders are, and also how important it is that people work in this field. Madeline is excited to be back at school where she can help educate her peers and make Cornell’s campus more aware of both the risk and resiliency within the aging population.

 Madeline shares a lesson she learned from on wise elder: Friendship is critically important in marriage:

Beverly, age 87 is an incredibly upbeat and optimistic lady. She was a pleasure to talk to and was really excited to be able to share some of her life experiences and expertise. Of all of the stories she shared and the memories she recalled, Beverly was most confident and enthusiastic about the importance of family in her life. In particular, she was especially passionate about her remarkable relationship with her late husband.

Right now, I’m widowed. I’ve been widowed for over 20 years. My husband was only 66. He was my childhood boyfriend, lover, friend, everything. And we had a wonderful, wonderful marriage.

Beverly never re-married, and even though she had lost her husband so long ago, you could still sense the love she had for him. I was intrigued by her seemingly unconditional love for a man she had known since childhood. When I asked her what advice she had for having a long and happy marriage, Beverly shared original advice that made perfect sense. She said:

Always find someone who can be your best friend. It is always better to be in like than in love. Love does change. Yes, it stays with you, but it does change. Like never changes. And that is what helps marriages last, to be in like.

This idea of being “in like” is so simple, yet I think it is often neglected in forming relationships because it is so easy to get caught up in the exciting thrill of infatuation. Beverly was confident that being “in like” was the most necessary component when finding a partner with whom you will one day create a family of your own.