On Friday, January 7, 2005, those who follow celebrity couples were saddened by the news that Brad Pitt, 41, and Jennifer Aniston, 35, were "separating" after seven years together.

While they are not yet divorced, perhaps we can focus on inspiring them to get back together rather than tear into their private lives looking for reasons it didn't work.

So Brad and Jennifer, this is for you just as much as it is for our "rugged elegant" community of currently married couples and those looking for secrets from celebrities who are making their marriage work.

Thank you USA Today for inspiring this post.

Joanne Woodward & Paul Newman - Married 47 Years

In the 1989 book by Roddy McDowall Double Exposure: Take Two Joanne Woodward said:

Sexiness wears thin after a while and beauty fades, but to be married to a man who makes you laugh every day, ah, now that's a real treat!

In 2008, Woodward and Newman will celebrate 50 years together!

Andrews & Edwards, 1974

Julie Andrews & Blake Edwards - Married 35 Years

On August 8th, 2004, Julie Andrews told the Chicago Sun-Times:

Don't look to the future. Just make today work.

Blake & Julie, 2004

Andrews is also quoted as saying: "All love shifts and changes. I don't know if you can be wholeheartedly in love all the time."

In love all the time? Perhaps not. But committed to one another through thick and thin, rich times and poor, sickness and health... Yes!

Bono & Ali

U2's Bono & Ali - Married 23 Years

Since 1982, U2's Irish rock star, Bono has been married to his childhood sweetheart, Alison. They have four children, Jordan, Memphis, Elijah and John.

It has been said that their interest in normal things, normal people and people in other parts of the world who are in great need is what sets Bono and Ali apart from other showbiz couples.

Hawn & Russell

Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell - Together 22 Years

While Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have never been formally married, after working together on the movie Swing Shift, they have been dedicated to one another since 1983. In 1986, they had a son, Wyatt. Goldie's children, Oliver (born in 1976) and Kate (born in 1979) were from a second marriage to Bill Hudson. Her first marriage to Guy Trikonis ended in 1976. After a five-year marriage to actress Season Hubley, Backdraft star, Kurt Russell had a son, Boston. (Russell is from Springfield Mass.)

Today, Russell and Hawn live on a 72-acre retreat, Home Run Ranch, outside of Aspen.

Two years ago, they created Cosmic Entertainment with Kate and Oliver.

Russell's "secret" to staying dedicated to but not married to Goldie:

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne - Married 22 Years

On March 8, 2003, Ozzy Osbourne said to Larry King on CNN's Larry King Show:

It's that rock 'n' roll and you're rocking and rolling, (and) you don't give up at the first bend. ... I couldn't imagine myself being with any other woman.

Denzel & Pauletta, 2003

Denzel & Pauletta Washington - Married 21 Years

On Jan. 16, 1997, Denzel Washinton told London's The Mirror:

She's the rock in our marriage. I'm a lucky guy to have her.

Appreciation is key. Never take him or her for granted.

Jamie Lee Curtis & Christopher Guest - Married 20 Years

On January 24th, 2004, Jamie Lee Curtis spoke to the Los Angeles Times about her marriage to Christopher Guest. She attributed their success to:

Growth, hopefully. Parallel, mutual, intersecting growth.

Governor Schwarzenegger & California First Lady Maria Shriver

Arnold Schwarzenegger & Maria Shriver - Married 18 Years

In the January 2005 issue of Vanity Fair, Maria Shriver spoke about her eighteen year marriage to a man who started out as an actor, who zeroes out her political vote in the poll booth (He's Republican; She's a Democrat), and who moved their family from Hollywood to Sacramento to serve the state as Governor of California. She, meanwhile, gave up her reporting career to focus on being the First Lady of The Golden State. Now that's dedication and sacrifice! Shriver told Vanity Fair:

I married my authentic self.

And after all these years we are still engaged with each other, hot for each other, into each other.

Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson - Married 16 Years

In the September 2001 issue of O, Oprah Winfrey's Magazine, Tom Hanks said:

I married into a classic old-world family structure in which people like to spend time with each other and construct their lives so they can.

I've discovered there's no substitute for that.

Here's to spending time together.

Michael J. Fox & Tracy Pollan - Married 16 Years

On March 2nd, 1997, Michael J. Fox told USA Weekend:

If we're (in L.A.) all the time, our life is about me.

I don't want my family to be about me. I want it to be about us.

Sedgwick & Bacon

Kevin Bacon & Kyra Sedgwick - Married 16 Years

On December 31, 2004, Kyra Sedgwick said on RomanticMovies.About.com:

I don't know why it worked out like it did or how I was smart enough to know that this was the right guy, but somehow I got lucky.

Not much of a secret, but you can always pray for luck.

Perhaps that and the opportunity to work together.

Their latest film <The Woodsman opened in theaters on December 24th, 2004.

Steven Spielberg & Kate Capshaw - Married 13 Years

At the June 2004 Crystal & Lucy Awards, Steven Spielberg said:

The late Bruce Paltrow "told me on the day of my marriage to Kate that the key word to a great marriage is the word 'Yes.'

Warren Beatty & Annette Bening - Married 12 Years

On November 14th, 2004, Annette Bening told The Sunday Times of London:

I was in love. I wanted to have a life together with him, and I just followed my instincts.

Michelle Pfeiffer & David E. Kelley - Married 11 Years

On October 12, 2002, Michelle Pfeiffer said to The London Free Press:

We're both basically homebodies and we both prioritize work the same way.

For both of us, home and family will always come first.

Inspire & Be Inspired (R).

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "making it work no matter what" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King