Qualities of a Happy Marriage?

In one of the ESL classes I taught last week, the book included a section on friends and family. The students were learning some basic words and phrases related to friendship, family, and marriage. Part of the lesson included a group discussion about various kinds of relationships.

One of the questions they had to answer was, "What do you think is necessary for a happy marriage?"

These students were mostly in their late teens or early twenties, and none of them were married, so I wasn't sure what kind of experience or ideas they might bring to this question. I suggested that they think about the married people they had known throughout their lives. What qualities had they observed in happily married couples?

The top answer was respect. After that came communication, honesty, and love.

Smart kids.