In a farewell letter, How We Stay Together columnist Alexandra Spring shares the three ingredients to an enduring relationship

Jayne and Jodie first got together in a way they describe as ‘so unplanned and so random’, but two decades on they’re more settled than ever

Metaphorically and literally, Clive and Mary have spent their almost four decades together learning to speak each other’s language

Jane and Jim Burnett have never had trouble communicating, even when they lived in separate countries for long stretches at a time

Angela Kitzelman and Don Jarmey joke their secret is having ‘no goals’, a philosophy that’s worked for the pair over more than three decades

After 44 years together, Tutti and Paul Bennett have faced their challenges, but kindness and a ‘cosmic connection’ has kept them together

For a moment in their early years, it looked like Sabir and Emmy Samtani would part ways. Now they have three children and a business together

In 15 years of living together, Danie Tregonning and Mark Perkins have only spent two nights apart – but the pair still know not to ‘smother each other’

On their first date Steven thought Louisa out of his league – and 26 years later, he still looks at her in exactly the same way

From fairytale beginning to unimaginable tragedy, Valentino and Carly Giannoni have been through a lot in two decades together

After 11 years they still pinch each other’s bums: ‘There’s a high school crush-like attraction that just never went away’

After 50 years together, Nunzio and Maureen know the secret to longevity is always backing themselves and never giving up

High school sweethearts Brad and Sonya have spent more of their lives as a couple than apart – but it hasn’t always been an easy road

High school sweethearts Bronwen Write and Emma Wilson no longer face a ‘perfect storm of teenage angst’, but their fondness for each other’s company endures

Janett and Ariel Egber took a huge leap of faith when they met each other – marrying and immigrating within a few months. Now, 22 years later, it’s still paying off

Cecil and Stella Renfield met serving in the navy during the second world war, and after 75 years their adventurous spirit keeps them young

Kate Washington and Genki Kondo’s road to coupledom was long – but the depth of their friendship serves them well now

What began as a light office flirtation has resulted in more than three decades of deep commitment for Jackie Rees and Phil Kafcaloudes

Suzanne Harris and Tom McAtee may not agree on politics – but the pair’s pragmatism and ability to talk things out has kept them together for over three decades