My wife recently emailed me this article:

Secret to wedded bliss - saying sorry

British Couple holds record for Longest Marriage at 80 years

LONDON - A British couple -- the record holders for the world's Longest marriage - said on Tuesday their success was down to a glass of whisky, a glass of sherry and the word "sorry."

I can see the value of a few stiff drinks throughout an 80 year run of marriage. Living with anybody in close quarters for a prolonged period of time, dealing with his/her often annoying idiosyncrasies requires a substantial amount of patience and detachment that all too often only the mercifully numbing effects of alcohol can achieve. However, I don't put as much stock into the use of the word sorry as a sure fire method of conflict resolution. I can state several instances in which saying "I'm sorry" simply won't do:

"Our son is 13 now, I didn't see the harm in taking him to a strip club. I'm sorry."

"She's not a chiropractor exactly, she's more of a sensual masseuse. I'm sorry."

"I never did get your brakes fixed, I spent the money on that Samurai sword set. I'm sorry."

"She's taking a human sexuality course and needed visual aid. I'm sorry."

"No, I meant the good kind of fat, like on your ass. I'm sorry."