"50/50: The Key to Happily Ever After," a book of 50 short stories detailing the lives of 50 couples who’ve been married for 50 years or more. The book was brought to fruition by Dysart native James (Jim) Rice who now lives in San Diego where he works as a life coach. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

DYSART – With Valentine’s Day just around the corner and wedding season not far off, Dysart native James ‘Jim’ Rice believes he has created the perfect gift for those special occasions (and more) – “50/50: The Key to Happily Ever After,” a book of 50 short stories detailing the lives of 50 couples who’ve been married for 50 years or more.

“I was conversing about the importance of compromise, give and take, 50/50 in relationships, especially marriage,” Rice, a life coach and entrepreneur who lives in San Diego where he operates the business Fit over 50, told the Telegraph in an email when asked to describe the book’s origins. “It struck me – why not share it and why not work with the theme, 50/50? Interview 50 people who have been married for 50 years to get their opinion, their story.”

While Rice did not author the book himself – he hired family friend and former Hudson High School English/journalism teacher Joletta Yoder of Cedar Falls to collect and write most of the stories – the idea behind the project was solely his own.

“The book is my vision. The book’s subject, coffee table design, etc. are my ideas. Joletta, the other writers, and the printer’s design staff made it become a reality.”

Once the project got underway, Rice said it took around six months to complete.

Dysart native James (Jim) Rice recently published the book “50/50: The Key to Happily Ever After.” CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

“Joletta designed a questionnaire which we forwarded to our friends, family, and contacts who agreed to participate.”

Rice said most of the interviews were conducted in person with the majority of the couples profiled in the book from Iowa including U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and his wife Barbara whose story is featured on page 100.

And while marriage is certainly the book’s theme, Rice said the book’s message could apply to anyone in a relationship.

“The book is about relationships and what fundamentally and foundationally keeps them together and thriving. … marriage is a part of happily ever after. One of many relationships.”

In the book’s foreword, Yoder writes many people today “focus only on the ‘happy’ part of ‘happily ever after’ instead of grasping that total happiness is never really possible.”

James (Jim) Rice (front right) pictured alongside his three brothers Steve, Doug, and David back when they were growing up in Dysart. Rice’s parents John and Margie Rice would later welcome two more children to the family, Jennifer and Katie. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

But what is possible, Yoder writes, is “a satisfying union that develops its own unique definition of happy.”

Yoder further states, “The stories in this book are not ‘paint by the numbers’ and-you-will-nail-marriage kind of stories. They were written to provide unvarnished examples to inspire and support a healthy marriage, not make one. … Don’t think of this book as a formula. Look at the stories as a reference bank for you to draw on in a time of need.”

Each of the 50 stories is titled in such a way that just a glance at the table of contents reads like a collection of 50 pieces of advice.

Some of the story titles include:

*Choose togetherness over things

*Be willing to grow

*Be each other’s best friend

*Support each other’s dreams

*Write love letters

*Spend time together

*Never forget why you fell in love

In the six months since the book was published, Rice said he’s been more than happy with the finished product.

“Personally, watching an idea not only become a reality but seeing how it positively impacted Joletta and the others who were involved was an unexpected pleasure. In the beginning, I thought the book was a neat, novel idea that had never been done before. I believed it had serious value. Upon viewing and reading the finished product I believe more than ever that we took a great idea and turned it into something even more valuable than I imagined. I am very proud of it.”

Those looking to purchase the book for themselves or a loved one have several options to choose from including on Rice’s website: https://fitover50jamesrice.com/thebook.

The book is also available for purchase through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.