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- Masao and Miyako Matsumoto are the oldest living husband and wife, and they have been married for over 80 years.
- Miyako attributes much of their marital success to her patience.
- Relationship experts agree that patience is critical for a long and healthy marriage.
With the US life expectancy hovering around 80 years, it's hard to fathom a marriage lasting anywhere near that long — but for Masao and Miyako Matsumoto of Japan, their relationship has surpassed that impressive milestone.
The Matsumotos have enjoyed such a long life together that they are breaking records— at 108 (Masao) and 100 (Miyako), the couple has been confirmed as the oldest living spouses by aggregate age by Guinness World Records. The pair married in 1937 and have a combined age of 208 years.
The couple has lived a long and full life together and have five daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren.
The key to their 80+ years of wedded bliss? Miyako attributes it to patience
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"I am so glad. It’s thanks to my patience, really," she told Reuters with a laugh. "I am so grateful that it brings me tears."
And she could be right— her explanation is supported by some relationship experts. Psychotherapist Tina B. Tessina, PhD told Bustle that patience is critical in a relationship.
"If you and your partner can’t solve problems, communicate or get along, both of you will lose hope that you will ever be able to enjoy each other or life together," she explained. "When you're frustrated and hopeless, you lack patience and the ability to think clearly and creatively."
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As for the couple's old age, residents of Japan have the second longest life expectancy in the world at 84. Still, an 80+ year marriage is striking — even taking the couple’s additional combined 24 years (and Miyako's unwavering patience) into account.
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