It took a while to answer because I was in public and had just revealed an approaching anniversary.

I don't think "perseverance" was the romantic response expected. Nor my dancing ability.

But it made my hair dresser laugh, a bit too much actually, which was funny in itself because I was being serious.

But you get like that at the hair dressers.

Self-conscious about doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different outcome.

With the hair I mean.

But my hair dresser seemed genuinely interested which is probably another key to a long relationship.

The ability to feign interest, and not taking things too seriously.

And it got me thinking a haircut is a bit like an anniversary.

That regular moment when two people take time out to acknowledge the journey and possibly wonder aloud, how the hell did it come to this?

With the hair I mean.

Although, when I checked with my partner later during anniversary celebrations, she admitted to wondering similar things, and she wasn't even at the salon.

Uncanny.

It was certainly the question on my hair dresser's lips as she toyed with the locks.

Weighed down by time, inattention to detail, question marks over style.

And again I stress I'm talking about the hair.

But the more I stared into that salon mirror with the glasses off, and the myopia setting in, the more the lines started to blur.

A common occurrence my hair dresser assured, stating her job description was usually one part cutting hair, eight parts therapist.

Toss in a bit of optometry, I thought.

And when I revealed what number anniversary we were celebrating, the eyes certainly widened and she obviously felt a bit of counselling in order.

"Don't worry," she said. "I'll make you sexy."

Which is what you want to hear from your hair dresser every day of the week really, and possibly another key to a long relationship.

Certainly with your hair dresser, and definitely with your partner.

The ability to make you think that together we can work miracles.

Armed with a razor, cutting through the bullshit, keeping things edgy.

Good luck I said as the hedging began, identifying probably the ultimate factor to any long-term viability.

Unbelievable good luck.

To meet someone willing and able to navigate the bad hair days, comb for detail and see the bald truth within. Or approaching.

Because when it comes down to the long term, keeping it real's important.

Like they say in the salons, hair today, gone tomorrow. In the meantime, cut to the chase baby.

More from Simon Walker: The complete That's Life archive