41 years, congratulations!
You know, early on in life I always assumed saying congratulations to people for multiple years of marriage was just an empty nicety. As I grew and learned (having been divorced and re-married for 12 years now) I found out why people congratulated each other for this...
It is work to follow through on this commitment. You have to be able to communicate and rationally discuss your wants, needs, desires, your true emotions.
You have to lay bare all of your emotions and be honest about how things make you feel. What a naked feeling!
It is real work and it takes an immense level of trust to confide so deeply in someone else your most raw personal thoughts.
That is why we congratulate each other on this true accomplishment - because we are able to have a proper adult relationship that continues (hopefully) into eternity.
Thank you for your support and thank you for your comments on marriage and the many and difficult efforts needed to make it work. You understand.