@JedDrudge @Humpleupagus @Cornelius @DixonUranus Well, both people need to be getting something really great out of the relationship. If both are very satisfied, the marriage will be fine. The wife has to provide the bedroom activities and the child rearing and the faithfulness and dutifulness. The husband has to provide the house, some emotianal support but mostly emotional stability, and he has to be virile and have an in-charge personality without being a brute. If you have a woman like that and a man like that, the relationship can flourish long into the future without degrading into cynicism as you have supposed. But really the fundamental mechanic of love-renewal is the bravery to face one's reality and to renew oneself, which in turn inspires the other to do the same. Then you stay forever young, forever lustful and passionate, and forever open to the criticisms and dissatisfactions your partner may raise.