Love Story: Sonny and Carolyn

Sonny and Carolyn

How many years have you been married?

In August, 53 years.

Tell us a little about your courtship story and how you met:

In the Fall of 1957, when it came time for me to return to Freed-Hardeman in Tennessee, by what may have been the providence of God, I talked my parents into allowing me to stay home and accept my first real office job at Southern Sash Sales and Supply Company in Sheffield. I was able to purchase my first car, and really felt important; however, I missed my Freed-Hardeman life.

While settling into this new job, I met a faithful Christian co-worker named Hilma. Hilma mentioned that her friend, Tom, had a friend from Montgomery working in the Shoals area whom he would like for me to meet. His name was Sonny Solomon. I was very nervous about meeting this stranger, but gave consent for him to bring him to my family home that week.

My whole family awaited the knock on the door of this unknown guest and his friends. My younger sister, Linda, was giggling with excitement. When I opened the door, there stood Hilma, Tom, and Sonny, wearing a warm winter cap. He politely removed his cap, was friendly, and had a big smile on his face. Living in the country in the northwest tip of Alabama, our family rarely had visitors from 200 miles away, much less a city boy who might have a slight interest in their daughter. My parents were very kind to Sonny as they were to all visitors in our home. At the age of 19, and with the approval of my parents, our real first date, accompanied by Tom and Hilma, was to a drive-in restaurant to get a cup of hot chocolate. The weather was freezing cold and Sonny let me wear his warm gloves. He opened te car door for me, his language was pure, his manners were superb, and he treated me with the highest respect. He was a lot of fun and made me laugh.

Did either of you become a Christian while courting or after marriage?

When I found out that Sonny was not a New Testament Christian, I realized that I should not proceed too far into the relationship; however, I invited him to worship. He loved the services and the warm fellowship which was given to him by the Christians at the New Hope Church of Christ. Although he lived in Sheffield and I, in Florence, he continued to attend every service on the weekends. He was earger to learn by listening to sermons delivered by Brother Beck. He would also have spiritual conversations with my daddy, an elder, while working outside around the farm. After three months of seeking and learning, Sonny was baptized by Brother Beck who also performed our wedding ceremony seven months later.

Tell us about your special day. Where did you go on your honeymoon?

Our wedding day, August 2, 1958, was a very happy day.  The ceremony was in the old white wooden New Hope Church of Christ.  The building was small and had no air-conditioning.  The whole community was very excited because our wedding was the first New Hope Church wedding.  My attendants wore rainbow -colored dresses.  A few of the Mars Hill Chorus members sang the old traditional wedding songs which included "The Lord's Prayer."  Sonny  cried when I entered the auditorium from outside the building.  My Daddy escorted me very slowly and sadly (but happy too).  I sorta had to drag him in. 

 Our reception was held at my mom and daddy’s house.  Several of my younger uncles jacked up our car and tied my daddy’s  feed buckets on the back of the car.  They also put rocks in our hub caps which made a lot of noise.  As we journeyed to Memphis, TN, on our honeymoon, some cops stopped us  and made us empty our rocks.  We worshipped in Memphis on Sunday morning, went to the Memphis Zoo that afternoon, and came back to our apartment in Sheffield.  Grandaddy went back to his job at the Crump Camera Shop on Monday, and I went back to my job at Southern Sash Sales and Supply (a window company) on Tuesday.

What was your first home like? Any new traditions you would like to share that you started together after marriage?

We settled into our upstairs apartment located in Sheffield. Sonny continued his job at a very busy Camera Shop, and I, my job at Southern Sash Sales and Supply Company. Our one-year residency there was very pleasant as we were nurtured somewhat by an older couple, the Jacksons, who lived below us on the first floor. They loved us and treated us like their children.  Sometimes, I would come home from work, and she would have a plate of cookies baked for us.

What was your first year of marriage like? What is one thing you would say to someone who has just gotten married or who will in the future?

It was filled with adventure.  I loved being married though, but managed to stay in close contact with my family.  I also enjoyed getting to know Granddaddy's family in Montgomery.  They were very good to me.  This is where we began our family.  I loved being pregnant, and loved my doctor.  We worshipped with the College Church of Christ.  When Uncle Byron was one year old, we moved to a little house in Millbrook where we lived when we welcomed our beautiful baby girl, Lisa..

Be kind to each other.  Don't forget to use your manners saying please, thank you, and I love you.  Prepare a budget, and both work on it each month.  Try to remember the slogan, "Small leaks sink a big ship," and this applies to spending dollars and cents here and there unwisely.  Give God the first 10% of your earnings.  Write those checks before any other, and put aside for Sunday contribution.  Read God's word daily.

What were your parenting years like? How many children do you have?

The next five years were wonderful with my being in the home caring for our three children and Sonny bringing home his $300-a-month paycheck. The check paid all the bills and bought some groceries for the table. Fresh vegetables were also brought from my parents’ farm for canning and freezing. Hundreds of pounds of red and sweet potatoes from their prized potato farm helped to supplement the income. Sonny’s mother clothed our children using her employee discounts from Gayfers Department Store, where she worked in the Children’s Department. Sonny’s new-job opportunity upgraded to Parts Manager at Jack Hamel Volkswagen in Montgomery. The day was happy when he came home driving a new Volkswagen bus for our growing family of five, which was purchased for $2500 with payments of $40 per month.

Would you like to share some of your greatest challenges and what you learned from them?

Our marriage has been filled with the challenges of life. The worst was the loss of our precious son. A second challenge was keeping the children on schedule with their studies and all of the school activities, especially their participation in sports in grade school. In addition, as with most families, there were problems which we had to deal with and resolve. Finally, the travel distance of being 200 miles away during the final years of my aged parents’ life was emotionally draining. The sickness and death of these two beloved parents have left great voids in our lives. Every new day is a challenge but filled with abundance from God.

Any last advice you would like to give to a young lady, newly married, or woman who has been married awhile?

The best advice we could give to any couple before marriage is to first discuss their spiritual goals. Are we both New Testament Christians? Do we both commit to being faithful the rest of our lives? How will we spend our holidays? Do we have the same financial goals and are we willing to prepare and monitor a budget each month? Are we willing to seek marriage counseling? Don’t ever think you are too old to attend marriage enrichment seminars. We attended one in the past and we highly recommend the experience. Marriage is a wonderful institution made by God. To have someone to laugh with, cry with, hold my hand in worship, enjoy the children’s years of growing up, and now the grandchildren’s activities, are all such blessings. Try to read God’s Word daily and spend a lot of time in prayer. Trust in God’s promises, especially when it comes time to giving. Never stop saying, “I love you,” “I’m sorry,” “please,” and “thank-you.” These are sweet words that help smooth out the rough spots in marriage. Work together through adjustments such as children leaving home, deaths of family members, retirement, etc…. Never give up!