I’m not saying there aren’t a lot of exciting, romantic moments as Sherry and I cement our relationship well into our 70s – but the glue that holds it all together is gin rummy.
We play every day – often several times a day. Our first game begins before 6 a.m. We sip coffee, eat our eggs and ham, and shuffle the cards.
Every game goes to 1,000 points, which takes the better part of a week. I know I am the better player, but the score often does not support my assumption.
We have strict rules. During competition, we can call each other horrific names with no later repercussions. During the heat of battle, our creative use of adjectives would embarrass a sailor.
Another rule is, if we get dealt a terrible hand, either one of us can throw our cards at the face of our adversary and demand a reshuffle. This aggressive action can only be taken one time per sitting.
You may think keeping an exciting marriage together is best achieved by sharing a fine bottle of wine, snuggling close together by an open fire, or even surprising your spouse with roses or candy.
Nope. The magic is a daily jolt of gin rummy.