WATCH: Couple Married 72 Years Dies Holding Hands

An Iowa couple who was married for 72 years died one hour apart last week in the hospital as they held hands. The family said the story of Gordon, 94, and Norma Yeager, 90, is a real-life love story.

Unusual? Most likely.

I can proud;y say that my parents have been married for almost 50 years. My mom says, the key: honesty, respect and "giving the other person space."

Local Janet Spearling adds, "Marriage is a two-way street, and it does takes work. But, if you work at it, it is a beautiful thing."

Unfortunately, today, most marriages do not last, especially in California where the rate is high and falls between 65 and 75 percent according to Labor Talk.com.

Divorces Figures for California:

Year, CA Div.,L.A. Div.,CA Mar.,Divorce percent
1996 169,416 38,026 219,039 77.35 percent
1997 165,547 37,501 237,669 69.65 percent
1998 161,905 35,706 194,108 83.41 percent
2000 156,078 36,551 196,896 79.27 percent
2001 154,672 38,850 224,241 68.98 percent
2002 160,854 40,468 217,880 73.83 percent
2003 148,511 38,811 194,914 76.19 percent

Average Divorce Rate: 75.54 percent 

Source: Court Statistics Reports for 1996-2004.

Do you think the Yeager story is a real love story? What makes a marriage work in your opinion, tell us in comments.