Reprinted advice

A kid asked me for some advice when he found out how long my wife and I had been together, on another board. This was my reply.
It is worded strange because I wrote it pretty far into the thread after he asked and repeated a lot of the earlier discussion within my reply so others would understand what was going on when they read it... if that makes any sense.
Discuss?

Every person is different, however, as long as you find someone who is a decent match for you and willing to work and YOU are willing to work. BOTH of you are willing to compromise from time to time, and not JUST on the small stuff , or the big stuff, you can make it work.
Like my parents, 40 years, my wife and I 17 years, my grandparents 60+ years, and many of my other friends and family.
Oh, another thing, spend time around others with successful relationships, watch and LISTEN and get rid of your petty little ego.. it is poison. Pride and games are the worst thing you can bring to a relationship.
Forgiveness, listening and the ability to give (time, your heart, your pride, your space and just give... yes, sometimes in) will keep it going. Because it will make them want to do the same for you.
You have to practice what you want from them, even when they are not doing it, because you will be an ass sometimes and need their patience when it is you being a shit-head and not knowing it.
Always look at the big picture and to the past... no matter how angry you are and no matter what they do, place in in context with the larger picture before you make any decisions.
Don't take stupid advice like "don't go to bed mad" or other trite shit like that, every relationship is different and everyone communicates differently... as long as you fucking learn how to communicate without doing it in a hateful way.
Just because they are yelling at you, does not mean you have to yell back... why do people not get that?
There, a tiny glimmer...
Edit:
If you really want to have a great time and really give it a go, spend more time on the friendship than the romantic side... that can always get sparked-up as long as it was there to begin with.
A solid core friendship needs care and is what will last you for the long haul.
Sex, beauty and all other things fade, good conversation and fun is the true foundation to love and your relationship and that is your friendship. A really wise man once told me that and he was dead-on.

What you will find happening is that the romance and frienship will blend.