How long have you been married?

We have been married for 33 years.

Tell us about your proposal and engagement ring.

Actually, the how we met is a better story.

My wife Connie, came into the jewelry store I started as a teenager on the coast of Maine to have her wedding and engagement rings reset. She was going through a divorce and still wanted to wear the diamonds from her first marriage on her right hand. So we designed a dome ring with all the diamonds scattered across the top like stars in the sky. The minute I saw her I knew I had to get to know her better. It is almost 35 years since that fateful day and I would say we have gotten to know each other pretty well.

What is so special about your spouse that is the reason she/he is the one for you?

She is the most generous person I have ever met.

How did you come about working together?

We tried working together after our son was born 31 years ago. That lasted 10 years before my wife felt like she needed a new boss or a new husband. After she retired we decided from various other jobs she and I decided to give working together another try. It has been 9 years of working together for the second time. Most days we like it a lot.

How do you make it work for our couples who are considering getting into business together?

I would say working together with your spouse is a huge challenge. It really takes a leader and a follower who is willing to accept the leader.

Aside from work, any tips for couples who are about to get engaged and really want the everlasting part to work?

In my opinion the engagement and wedding are of very little importance. What is of the utmost importance is to decide every day, every hour that you want to be married.

Another word of advice is to give your mate the room to be themselves, trust them to do right by you.

Still another piece of advice is that your spouse can not be all things to you, involve other people in your life.

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