More Older Couples Stay Together Because They Live Apart

quote:

---

Sharon Hyman and David Demetre celebrated their 20th anniversary of not living together. They met through a Canadian dating service called Telepersonals that involved leaving recorded messages. She listened, was struck by the sound of his voice, called and asked to meet. He was struck by her openness and agreed.

---

quote:

---

The Montreal couple dated, eventually talked about living together and getting married—and did neither. He wakes up early, and is an introvert who cherishes private space. She is an extrovert, who stays up late and likes to be with friends and family.

---

quote:

---

“I don’t think it would work as well if we lived together,” said Mr. Demetre, a 63-year-old retired draftsman who spends several nights a week at her apartment because it’s bigger. The only downside, he says, is the 15-minute drive.

---

quote:

---

Twice a month, David Scribner, 64, drives three hours from his home in St. Johnsbury, Vt., to Montreal to spend a long weekend with his partner, Marilyn Bronstein, 71. She visits him one weekend a month, although she spent weeks with him after he had surgery. The fourth weekend they are on their own.

---

quote:

---

They don’t talk or text or FaceTime daily. They email when they must, usually keeping the message direct: “Bring the tent” in the subject line. “We mostly communicate with each other when we see each other,” Ms. Bronstein said.

---