My husband and I made a pact never to divorce, even when it felt impossible. 30 years later, I'm glad we stayed.

Tech Insider : Business
Christina Daves and her husband on their wedding day next to the couple decades later
The author and her husband have been married for 30 years.

Courtesy of Christina Daves

I took myself to the movies alone. I ended up falling in love.

Tech Insider : Business
A movie theater
 

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I moved from Los Angeles to Paris to live with my boyfriend at 46. The transition was harder than I imagined, but it was worth it.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Economy
Dufflyn Lammers standing under a tree in paris
The author moved from Los Angeles to Paris.

Courtesy of Courtney Bowlden Photography

I sent a letter to a deployed soldier to thank him for his service. We are now celebrating our 29th wedding anniversary.

Tech Insider : Business
soldier reading letter among war
The author (not pictured) sent a letter with cookies to a soldier she had never met before.

Virojt Changyencham/Getty Images

When my husband wanted to retire early, I agreed to do the same. But I hated retirement life, so I went back to work.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
A couple arguing at home
The author (not pictured) struggled with early retirement.

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My fiancé and I feel no connection to our last names. We're debating whether to create a new one when we marry.

Tech Insider : Business
S. Nicole Lane leaning on her finace in a restaurant
The author and her fiancé are considering creating a new last name when they get married.

Samuel Gernand/The Gernands Photography

When I asked my coworker out on a date, he rejected me. I'm still glad I put myself out there.

Tech Insider : Business
a woman and man chatting in an office while holding cups
The author (not pictured) asked her coworker on a date.

Westend61/Getty Images/Westend61

My husband handles all the outside chores, and I handle the inside ones. This compromise is the key to happiness in our marriage.

Tech Insider : Business
a view from inside a washing machine as a couple load it up with their laundry
The author (not pictured) and her husband split their house chores evenly.

freemixer/Getty Images

My ex dumped me by sending a voice note. It was painful and confusing.

Tech Insider : Business
a woman listening to a message on her phone
The author (not pictured) received a voice note from her ex.

Westend61/Getty Images/Westend61

I always ran back to the same ex, calling her my backup plan. She's now engaged to someone else, and I learned how toxic I am.

Tech Insider : Business
a man comforting his distraught girlfriend
The author (not pictured) kept running back to his ex.

Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images

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