Here's A Shock for Women

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Sometimes who stays home is a matter of temperament. Bill Stevens, 57, is more laid-back than Anne, 53; he has a dry sense of humor and a passionate love of golf. As Anne's career took her to New Jersey, Texas, England, and finally to Dearborn, Mich., Bill, also an engineer, was the one who stayed behind so that their two children (now grown) could finish the school year. "I use the Slinky analogy," he laughs. "There goes Anne, here comes Bill." Early in their marriage the Stevenses were very competitive with each other. But at some point, says Bill, "I realized this wasn't a rivalry, it was a partnership." In 1999 he retired. At company parties Bill talks golf with the men and shares household tips with the women. What do they ask about most? "Beef Wellington," he says.