GEORGIA—On August 4, Allen and Sarah Sloan celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The two attended the same Worldwide Church of God congregation in Macon and actively served the brethren. Their friendship began as they served in their local congregation and blossomed as Mr. Sloan was providing transportation in the congregation. During this time, they developed a deep friendship with one another. They said that conversation always felt comfortable, as if they had known each other forever.

They became engaged in 1968: They would sit down for a bite to eat at a local diner to plan their wedding and future together. A month later, they were married at a small American Legion Hall in Atlanta. They lived in a small three-room apartment until their family began to grow and they moved to a house in Buford. There they raised two children, Michelle and David.

“The best thing about being married is still having your best friend, and knowing I’d do it again in a minute, the exact same way,” said Mrs. Sloan. “Among the perks of growing old together is knowing you can still trust each other after so many years.”

The Sloans said they each continue to pray that the other would remain loyal to God to the very end. They said that if they were to give advice to singles, they would say that most importantly, God has to be your partner, and to make sure you marry your friend, because you start out ahead.

Mr. and Mrs. Sloan continue to serve Georgia brethren as a deacon and deaconess in the Atlanta congregation.