What Makes a Relationship Work?

Cathy: Every relationship is different, and so I don’t think that there’s one thing that you can do to make them all work.

Cathy: But my parents have been married for over 30 years, and any time anyone asks my father what their secret is,

Cathy: he says that you should make your spouse a really good cup of coffee every morning, and then, um, they’ll never leave.

Cathy: And that’s what my mother has been doing, and I guess it worked for them.

Cathy: Um, I know it’s an offbeat tip, but I guess it works…

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Vocabulary:

relationship – the way two or more people are connected or behave toward each other, “Trust is the most important part of any healthy relationship.”

make them all work – to cause various situations or partnerships to be successful, “It takes a lot of effort and communication to make them all work.”

married for over 30 years – staying legally joined as partners for more than three decades, “My grandparents have been married for over 30 years and are still best friends.”

what their secret is – the special, hidden reason why someone is highly successful at something, “Everyone wants to know what their secret is for staying so fit and healthy.”

spouse – the person someone is married to; a husband or a wife, “You are welcome to bring your spouse to the company dinner.”

never leave – to stay with someone forever and not walk away from the relationship, “A true friend will support you and never leave your side when things get tough.”

worked for them – was successful or brought good results for a specific group of people, “Waking up at 5 a.m. worked for them, but I prefer sleeping in.”

offbeat tip – an unusual, strange, or uncommon piece of advice, “Putting a wooden spoon over a boiling pot is an offbeat tip to keep it from spilling over.”