Watch the New Julia Child Series to Discover Her Secrets To a Long-Lasting Marriage

A new acquaintance asked me, "How long have you been married?"

Response:

46 years

What are your tips for a happy, long-lasting marriage?

Response:

Watch HBO's 2022 television series of Julia, based on the life of Julia Child, television chef.

Though Julia was about six-feet tall, and I am about 10 inches shorter than her, we have a lot in common. About 50 years ago, I met her in person at Savenor's Butcher Shop & Market. She cut in front of me at the meat counter, but I was so much in awe of her that I just watched her conversation with the butcher.

Julia's television chef career started at midlife (she was 51 years old), when her husband Paul's diplomatic career was winding down. They were married almost 50 years, until Paul died. He was 10 years her senior. Their relationship was a dance, giving each other opportunity to grow, supporting each other, while setting boundaries, and maintaining a sense of humor as they experienced together life's ups and downs.

“I think the existence of the supportive, loving, feminist husband playing a role in the success of these two women is not a coincidence,” Cohen says of her film subjects. “And it’s not just that Paul helped out and was on set. It’s that he was willing to support and cheer Julia on in decisions that might sometimes make his career take a back seat to hers. He got that she was going places, and wanted to help her get there — just like Marty Ginsburg did with RBG." Source: LA Times, Amy Kaufman, Senior Entertainment Writer, November 24, 2021. Julie Cohen, the co-director of the 2022 "Julia" series, was also co-director with Betsy West of the 2018 portrait of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg film, "RBG".

Julia's and Paul's relationship also had something in common with my mother's and father's. My mother also went to college, about the same time as Julia did, and became a high school English teacher to help put her children through college.

In conclusion, the answer to the question of "What are your tips for a happy, long-lasting marriage?" for me is a combination of love, support, give-and-take, and letting each other grow at their own pace.

Being aware of family influences and identifying with heroes and heroines in enlightening movies also comes into play.