Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

by Amanda Spears,

Staff Reporter

Bill Sharp ,74,

Kathy Sharp, 71

Q.) How old were you when you started dating?

A.) Bill: I was 19 years old. Kathy: I was 16 years old.

Q.) How long did you date before you got married?

A.) We dated pretty close to a year, if not a year.

Q.) When is your wedding anniversary?

A.) We were married on April 20, 1968.

Q.) Bill, what do you remember about your first date?

A.) I just remember being so glad she said she would go out with me. I honestly didn't think she would say yes. But she did.

Q.) Kathy, what is your perfect date night with Bill?

A.) Well I just remember being so happy that he asked me out. I remember thinking all the girls are crazy about this guy and he chose me to ask on a date. So to me, just him being my forever date is the perfect date.

Q.) Bill and Kathy - What do you feel your greatest weakness is as husband/wife?

A.) Bill: I feel I should have been a better father to my children.

Kathy: Maybe not going along with everything he wanted to do, like going somewhere he wanted and I didn't want to go. I think I could have done better.

Q.) Bill and Kathy - What do you feel your greatest strength is as husband/wife?

A.) Bill: Well I have always worked hard to support my family.

Kathy: I would say because I am always there for him and our family with anything they need.

Q.) Can you give our readers a little advice on how to keep your marriage strong?

A.) Bill: You have to give and take sometimes. you have to do things you don't want to do. But because it's for your family, you push on. Kathy added, it's 50/50 but first and foremost you have to have God in your marriage.

Q.) Kathy, would you say Bill is your best friend?

A.) Yes, he absolutely is.

Q.) Bill, can you tell our readers something they can do as a couple to strengthen their marriage?

A.) Pray together, go to church together, always be honest to husband/wife. And above all keep God in the center of your marriage.

Q.) Is there anything you would like to share with our readers that my questions may not have touched on?

A.) Bill: Always let your husband/wife know you love them. You may not always do what they want you to do, but you should always try and please them the best you can. Kathy added, if you have a disagreement before bed always fix it before you go to sleep. Also do things together and for each other. Bill also added something we do together now since we have endured so much loss is our Grief Share Class. You can't imagine how much it helps. This class is for all types of loss. The loss of a loved one is hard to bear and we just wanted to give back to help others who have had great losses as we have. So I would like to extend our class to anyone dealing with any type of loss. Contact me for more information, 931-561-0249.