Bill and Vernice McChesney of New Galilee in Beaver County, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on May 9. The two spent their honeymoon in Houston, Ky. where they picked up two foster children and brought them home. They now have four children and 12 grandchildren.

Q: How did you meet?

Vernice: We met at a youth group roller skating party.

Q: Who introduced you?

Vernice: Bill's girlfriend, Betsy.

Q: Where did you each grow up?

Vernice: We both grew up on dairy farms in Beaver County.

Q: Who proposed?

Vernice: Bill proposed, but says he did it in self-defense because he knew I would ask him if he didn't say anything.

Q: Where were you married? Why did you choose that site?

Vernice: We were married at Chapel Presbyterian Church in Beaver where I had gone to church all my life.

Q: Where was the reception and honeymoon? Why did you choose those sites?

Vernice: The reception was in the basement of the church with just cake, punch and coffee. Our "honeymoon" was to Houston, Ky. where we picked up two foster children and brought them home. I also found out I was pregnant that month so within a year we had three children.

Q: What is your favorite wedding memory?

Vernice: The church was so full that people had to stand in the vestibule and in the back of the church. We had lots of family and friends there to witness our marriage.

Q: Are there any current wedding trends that you wish you could have incorporated?

Vernice: No, I loved my wedding.

Q: Do you still own any of your wedding gifts? If so, what?

Vernice: We have a number of gifts yet even after 40 years and I love remembering who gave us what. One couple gave us a recipe book and though the wife has died, her husband still comes to visit us. Our best man and his wife gave us a candy dish.

Q: What is the secret to your successful marriage?

Vernice: A sense of humor has seen us through many rough times and we ask God's direction on major decisions.

Q: What activity do you enjoy most as a couple?

Vernice: We both love to read, so going to used book sales is a real treat. We have books in every room in the house.

Q: How did you celebrate your anniversary?

Vernice: We spent four days in March visiting Kentucky where we worked before we were married.