It is a necessity and not an option. When you are wrong, you need to be mature enough to own up to it. A sincere, heartfelt apology will go a long way in keeping the warmth in a marriage relationship. There is the other side of the coin that must be looked at also. That is forgiveness.
Forgiveness is also fuel that keeps the home fires burning and the relationship warm.
Now, I know some will protest at this point. It will be a cold day in hell before I ever forgive my husband. Few will be as crass as that woman, but many hold the same malignant attitude. Perhaps she was right. None of us deserve the forgiveness of our sins.