by Annabelle Robertson (New American Library, $14)

"I remember the day I figured out that marriage would consist of more than cuddles, conversation and Cordon Bleu dinners. We were in premarital counseling at our local church, completing a detailed questionnaire about who would be responsible for the necessary household chores….how much of a problem could it be? Mark and I would agree on who did what, then abide by that.

My lackadaisical assumption was further confirmed when we shared our questionnaires….Under 'cooking,' I had put my initials. Under 'dishes,' I had put his. Mark had put the same.

I heaved a sigh of relief and said, 'I hate doing the dishes, but I love cooking.' Mark replied, 'Well, I hate cooking, but I don't mind the dishes.'

It didn't take an Apprentice winner to realize that this was a golden opportunity. 'If I never had to wash another dish as long as I lived,' I said, 'I'd be the happiest woman on the planet.'

'And if never had to cook another meal as long as I lived, I'd be the happiest man on the planet,' Mark countered with a wide grin.

'Deal?'

'Deal.' We shook.

And, oh, what a wonderful world it would be, if only things were that simple." --excerpted from the book