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We're coming up on our 20th wedding anniversary, a milestone by any measure. In two decades, we've been through thick and thin. I prefer thick, but without the thin times, it wouldn't have much meaning. So it's all good.

One thing we still can't figure out, though, is how we managed to stay together — indeed, grow stronger — when we just don't have that much in common.

I like movies with lots of mental twists and turns; he likes his twists and turns to come during car chases, followed by explosions.

I like puttering around the house; he likes putting on the golf course, with a little something riding on it to make it interesting.

I root for the underdog; he appreciates dominance.

I see a Saturday with nothing planned as an opportunity to do nothing; he sees it as an opportunity to plan something.

He won't pass up a chance to see a live sporting event; heaven help me, I just can't feign an interest.

He likes his exercise in the form of intense, head-to-head competition on a squash court; I prefer to barely break a sweat during a solitary jog through the woods, stopping along the way to smell the roses.

It was on such a jog that I encountered a retired couple out bird-watching. We spotted a pileated woodpecker (I say "we" because anytime you come upon two people looking up, you have to stop and look up, too). They shared their binoculars, and it was grand moment.

But I don't know whether that's the kind of moment my husband and I will share in retirement. We both like birds — I know because if one of us points out the window and says, "Look at that bird," the other will. But it's not a passion.

So, what do we share?

Well, we will always read newspapers together every morning. And it's looking like we will always be frustrated with the flashbacks in "For Better or For Worse" and the flash-forward in "Funky Winkerbean" (Or, as one blogger deemed the newly middle-aged character, "Chunky" Winkerbean.) I've had an easier time keeping up with the characters in "Lost," a show I love, but someone I live with does not.

So we're likely to spend our retirement days sharing morning coffee before going off to pursue our independent interests, and planning occasional joint outings — maybe we'll finally get to that new Ikea store.

And, of course, we'll meet up again for dinner every night. That's something else we share. We both like our time in the kitchen. He's got an eye for new recipes to try, and a we have a few old standbys that we turn to when we need an easy meal.

We've been enjoying Chicken Piccata for the better part of 20 years. The capers add a nice, essential bite to this dish; skip them, and all you've got are breaded cutlets.

I've made healthier versions of this, and they aren't bad, but sometimes you just gotta go for it. I learned that from my husband.

Chicken Piccata

Serves 6 to 8

4 whole chicken breasts, halved, skinned and boned

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Salt and pepper to taste

4 eggs, beaten

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 tablespoon capers

Dredge chicken in flour seasoned with salt and pepper. Combine eggs and Parmesan cheese, then dip chicken into mixture.

In a large skillet, heat the butter until golden brown. Saute the chicken breasts on both sides until crisp and brown, about 3 to 4 minutes each side. Remove chicken to a warm platter.

Add capers to the butter and heat through. Spoon capers and butter over the chicken. Serve.

Contact this writer at carol.rini@gmail.com.

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