Life-long residents of the Copper Basin, Bob and Lydia Kilpatrick, recently celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary.
On Wednesday, July 1, the couple celebrated this milestone, which represents the 70 years the two have dedicated to one another.
The two were wed in 1950 at Mine City Baptist Church in Ducktown.
“We’ve enjoyed a very happy life,” Bob said of their time together.
The couple said they typically go to a seafood restaurant in Blairsville, Georgia, but refrained from it given the current threat of illness.
The secret to a long-lasting, happy marriage like Bob and Lydia’s is “Give and take,” according to Bob.
“That’s about what it amounts to,” he said.
On the other hand, Lydia credits their faith in Jesus Christ.
They developed a relationship when Lydia was a senior at Ducktown High School. Bob was a teacher there at the time, but he worked downstairs, while Lydia studied upstairs.
The pair courted for around six months before tying the knot.
Since, they have been “blessed” with two daughters, Debra and Jeannine, four grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Bob and Lydia are active members of the First Baptist Church of McCaysville and Copperhill. There, Bob is a deacon and Sunday School teacher.
Every evening, they enjoy a mile and a half stroll around their neighborhood.
Rumor has it that they can usually be spotted holding hands.
As far as advice for younger couples and newly weds, Bob said it is important to “enjoy each other” and “love each other.”
Lydia said, “faith in Jesus Christ ... that keeps ya going.”