Undying Love

Using the same approach, the researchers recruited 17 people who, like Bernstein, said they were still madly in love with their spouses. Bernstein, 59, a retired teacher, said she learned of Acevedo's research from a newspaper story and contacted her at Stony Brook. "It dawned on me that the article pertained to myself," she said.

Acevedo said it was impossible to extrapolate from their study what percentage of long-lasting couples might register the same intensity of emotion as her 17 subjects. But she said a previous phone survey of several hundred people in long-term relationships she and Aron conducted found about 35 percent rated their feeling for their partners as very intense. "We were shocked," she said. "We hadn't predicted it would be that high."

Keith Davis, professor emeritus of psychology at University of South Carolina, said other studies support Acevedo and Aron's research. "I think popular literature underestimates how many retain a high level of intense emotional investment with their partners."

Together, Forever
Barbara Jean and Eugene Williams of Roosevelt, Long Island, have been married 51 years. They have five children and 12 grandchildren.

Eugene Williams, 72: "The love hasn't changed. What has, if anything, has changed, it's the relationship, in terms of how I understand [his wife]. It's just gotten better. ... Of course, the reason is we have always trusted each other's feelings. "

Barbara Jean Williams, 71: "Today, he is the same and he makes me feel that I am one of the most special persons that he's ever encountered. I love him for that. "

Carole and Walter Wozniak of Seaford, Long Island, have been married 50 years. They have two daughters and two grandsons.

Carole Wozniak, 71: "You're with somebody for 50 years, you share the same things, you enjoy the same things. That, of course, makes the passion. It changes a little, but I feel the same. When I saw my husband 52 years ago, it was a chemical reaction. ... I still feel that way today. "