In this unique inquiry into the deepest incarnation of love, author Richard Matzkin has looked to his extraordinary, three decade long marriage to Alice as a living laboratory to research the elements that comprise a truly loving, magnificent partnership. He has discovered 39 Loving promises, statements of intention you pledge to yourself, not to your partner that are the behavioral components of a deep, abiding love. These Promises are a profound path to transform your relationship into a magnificent one.

In addition to the usual vows lovers make to each other -- vows of commitment, honesty, acceptance, unselfishness, and fidelity -- the Promises include more obscure, but no less important ones such as: I Will Regard You As My Equal, I Will Participate In Your Life, I Will Challenge You When Necessary, I Will Not Manipulate You, I Will Protect Our Confidentiality, I Will Honor Your Family, I Will Respect Our Independence. Each one of these pledges are an essential aspect of a loving relationship.

Richard Matzkin has a magnificent relationship with his wife Alice. He is a former men’s group leader, director of a domestic violence program, program director of a psychiatric hospital and meditation teacher. He is also an accomplished sculptor, jazz drummer and author, with Alice, of the award winning book, THE ART OF AGING: Celebrating the Authentic Aging Self.