Number of marriage licenses applied for and divorces filed both went down last year, compared to 2008, and, as in most years past, marriage still leads the way in Freestone county.

A total of 154 couples purchased marriage licenses at the Freestone county clerk's office last year, and 116 couples filed for divorce with the district clerk.

In 2008, the numbers were 165 marriage licenses, and 128 divorce petitions.

Oddly enough, December records last year revealed the most marriage licenses filed, 20, with April coming in second with 17. Top months for divorce in 2009 were February, March and May, all tied with 14.

The months of April and May topped the charts in 2008 with the most starryeyed couples dreaming of wedded bliss. For 2009, marriage licenses were issued to six couples in January, 14 in February, March had 15, April, 17, May, 13, June, 12, July, 10, August, 15, September, 11, October, seven, November, 14, and December, 20.

Divorces numbered 11 in January, 14 in February, March had 14, April, 10, May, 14, June, nine, July 10, August, nine, September, five, October, seven, November, 10 and December, three.