Bill and Michele Hartline were married Aug. 18, 1975 in Anchorage after knowing each other for one month. They honeymooned in Russian Jack Springs Park in the small tent where they lived. Family and friends took bets on how long their marriage would last.
Homeless and happy, Bill promised to someday buy Michele a crystal chandelier. It now hangs in their retirement home in Nikiski.
Bill is a retired journeyman electrician/maintenance foreman and Michele is retired from ARCO as an auditor/business analyst.
They celebrated their 40th anniversary with their two daughters, their husbands and 7 1/2 grandchildren.