BRISTOL — They have one secret that’s kept them together for more than seven decades. Emily Mascena laughingly said “patience” is the key that kept her and husband, Steven Mascena, locked together in matrimony for the past 72 years. The couple was married on June 26, 1937.

“You have your tough times, too, like everybody else does. You just have to talk it over. You don’t go to bed angry,” Mrs. Mascena said.

She said when you love someone, you can overlook their faults. It’s a relationship that is worth the effort.

“You don’t give up like folks do nowadays,” she said.

Mrs. Mascena is 90, and Mr. Mascena, 96. They were both born in Bristol, and lived there until moving to Barrington two years ago.

The Mascenas remember back to the early years of their marriage, when Mrs. Mascena worked days, and her husband worked nights, so that one parent was with the children at all times.

Mrs. Mascena worked in the Priscilla Dress Factory in Bristol. Mr. Mascena spent years as an employee of the Collins & Aikman textile mill, changing his commute to Barrington after the business moved.

The Mascenas have three children: Anthony, Stephen and Nancy. Nancy (Mascena) Josephs lives in Barrington, and is carrying on the tradition of marriage longevity passed down from her parents; she and her husband, John Josephs, will celebrate 52 years of marriage in October.

The Mascenas have dealt with some medical issues, but they said they are managing all right.

“They’re doing very well. They’re fortunate they have each other,” Mrs. Josephs said.