At the time of our marriage, early in the third decade of this century, we were not so knowledgeable about our sexuality as young people are today, although I suspect, as scientists, we knew as much, or more, than most people of our generation. This meant, however, that in early married life there was a definite period of adjustment before we were happily, and with mutual satisfaction, settled in our ways. Quite early we began to realise that however important the attractions of sex were, we were very dependent on other interests to unite us. We were fortunate to have such interests in common, which developed and made ever increasing demands on us, influencing the course of our lives. Wasn’t it Saint-Exupéry, so widely read in our youth, who impressed on us that true love does not consist of gazing into each other’s eyes, but turning faces outward together to face the world?

William G Sewell, 1982