Jo-Ellen and Kent will celebrate their 50th Anniversary on August 15. This presentation will focus on their beginnings as a couple; a review of different marital definitions; their own marital path of trials and compromises; some observations on con-temporary marriage/relationships and the future; and finally, what are the essential ingredients for a Humanist marriage or relationship. lt;brgt;lt;brgt; Kent amp; Jo-Ellen Ballak Forrest have been married for 50 years and have always lived in the St. Louis area. They have both retired following long careers teaching in the public schools systems. Jo-Ellen taught kindergarten and 1st grade while Kent taught secondary Social Studies and later computer education. They were members of the Ethical Society from 1967 to 1985 serving as Youth Group Sponsor, Sunday School Director(s) and various organizational activities. They returned to the Ethical Society in 2011 and have picked up again with a variety of committees and activities including Development, Building amp; Grounds, TWA and the Men's Group. They also run the book cart on Sunday morning after platform. They have two children and three grand-children who live in Ballwin and happily perform occasional guard duty with them. They are both Apple technology fanatics and have raised their family members accordingly.