Allen and Barbara have been together for 59 years, married 56 years.

Who talked to who first? Barbara: This question is really difficult to answer because when we were first introduced we both disliked each other, he told me I was stuck up and that I thought I was cute. My response being “I didn’t think I was cute I knew I was.”

Who said “I love you” first? Barbara: Neither one of us is sure who said it first but it was more than likely him.

Did you go to the same school? No we grew up in different cities. I grew up in Salina, KS and he grew up in Wichita.

Where did you go the most as a couple? House parties and the Carver Recreation Center in Salina. (We were too poor to do much more.)

Who is more social? Allen calls me the social butterfly.

Who is the neat-freak? This of course depends on the situation. We believe that if you make a mess you should clean it up.

Who is the most stubborn? Again this depends on the situation

Who wakes up earlier? Allen goes to bed and wakes up with the chickens, and I’m a real night owl, therefore I always try to sleep in longer.

Where was your first date? Well, we really can’t decide on this question because neither of us can remember, I think we are still dating.

What is your secret to making marriage work? 1. Putting God first in everything. 2. Working together, 3. Keeping our business to ourselves. 4. Compromising.

How did you figure out the household chores? No such thing here, if there is something that needs to be done we just do it if we know how and are able to.

What aspect of marriage were you most pleasantly surprised by? Barbara: I didn’t always offer the best solution.

What do you think is the most challenging part of being married? Learning to listen to each other then expressing what you heard.

What has been the greatest obstacle you have faced over the years? Losing a child.

What’s one thing that makes you feel glad you married years ago? That our children are grown and out of our house, LOL.

If you could have been given a key piece of advice before marrying, what would it have been? Marriage isn’t always a “bed of roses,” it takes working together and learning to respect each other. If the bed gets rocky on one side just move to the other side and start over.