Communication, forgiveness, laughter and apple pie.
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These are just some of the secrets to a long and loving marriage, according to six Brisbane couples who have spent the better part of their lives together.
While none of the loved-up couples celebrate Valentine's Day, either because it wasn't a "big deal" when they were young or because "everyday is Valentine's Day", they make sure love reigns supreme in their households, even if it has "mellowed" over the years.
The Meulmans
Rob and Trish Meulman, aged in their 70s, have been married 46 years, six months and nine days (not that anyone's counting) and credit their long marriage to a "growing love".
"Love is like anything else, it is a growing, nurturing thing," Mr Meulman said.
"The romance doesn't go away, it is just different, it is deeper. It is something that you appreciate more when you realise you have this togetherness for such a long time, there is a real sense of being one in a very deep way that you grow into," Mrs Meulman said.
The Cursons
Paul and Maureen Curson celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this year and credit their marriage to being a balance between romantic love and self-sacrificial "doing" love.
"Right through 55 years, you still need that mix of Eros, the romantic love, never lose that, that's precious, but you also need a whole chunk of Agape, which is the doing, self-sacrificial love," he said.
For Mrs Curson, forgiveness and laughter where most important.
"First of all you have to have a good sense of humour and marriage is about give and take, he gives and I take," she joked.
"If and when we do have arguments, we always ask each other's forgiveness before the sun goes down."
The Bramleys
For Ruth Bramley, 76, apple pie is what helped her and husband Robert kick off their 54 year marriage.
"It started with apple pie because I was cooking for him ... I have been cooking for him ever since, I never taught him to cook which is a shame," she said.
"We listen to each other, we talk together, we eat together, we sleep together, we have been with each other through the difficult times."
The Van Den Akkers
Love has become more "realistic" for Hans and Rosyln Van Den Akker, who have two children and five grandchildren from their 46-year marriage.
"Rossy has been so good to me over the years," Mr Van Den Akker said.
"I was in hospital for quite some time and she came every day, I told her not to but she came every day."
"It's just something you do," Ms Van Den Akker added.
The Harrises
The "raging passion" has calmed down between John and Jan Harris but that doesn't mean the 44 year marriage has weakened at all, despite Mr Harris's driving.
"He is not an aggressive driver, he is an assertive driver and sometimes I would like him to just mosey along," Ms Harris said.
"I taught Jan to drive 40 years ago and she has been teaching me ever since," Mr Harris rebuked.
The D'Altons
John D'Alton, 81, says the secret to his 57-year marriage to wife Marie, 76, was to not take life too seriously.
Auchenflower couple Marie and John D'Alton celebrate 57 years together ahead of Valentine's Day. Photo: Lisa Maree Williams
"Today, people have all these psychological things, what are we going to do, when are we going to have a baby," he said.
"We didn't think of those, we just went along with whatever came along, got a new job, moved house.
"We are married, we love each other and that's it."
Ms D'Alton said it was also about understanding when to say sorry.
"You have to be able to say you're sorry, which some people find hard to do," she said.
