The institution of marriage is barely staying ahead of divorce court through the first six months of 2010.

Freestone county courthouse records show that 67 marriage licenses have been issued this year, while couples filed 63 divorce petitions.

The closeness of the two figures follows the same pattern as in 2009 when, through June, 77 marriage licenses were issued and 72 divorce petitons were filed.

Marriage licenses are issued out of the office of county clerk and divorce petitions are filed with the district clerk.

June, the traditional month of brides, has been the most popular wedding month with 20 licenses issued.

Second busiest wedding license month is April, when couples took out 15 licenses.

In the first six months of 2009, April was the top month with 17 wedding liceneses issued.

Divorce appears to be popular, regardless of the time of year—-three months, February, March and May, tie for top honors with 14 divorce petitions each.

The slowest month for weddings this year is May, five licenses, and the slowest month for divorces, eight petitions, is May.

Even though the marriage divorce figures were close at the midway point of 2009, the year ended with a 154-116 margin in favor of marriage.

Marriage licenses issued by month this year are: January, 10; February, 9; March, 8; April, 15; May, 5; and June, 20.

Divorce petitions filed by month this year are: January, 12; February, 13; March, 9; April, 11; May, 8; and June, 10.