plans to celebrate his 34th wedding anniversary this Friday by pushing his wife, Clara, in a wheelbarrow to the spot where they first met.

Mr. Thomas has for the past three years pushed his wife in a custom-designed wheelbarrow to various parts of the Island in celebration of the couple reaching their 30th anniversary.

Last year, they raised money on their St. George's-to-Hamilton run for their church, Bethel AME.

But this year, they will travel from Somerset to Albuoy Point in Hamilton as a dedication to those who have lost loved ones and to those, including themselves, who are happily in love.

The couple, who will overnight at a tourist resort in the West End, will begin around 7 a.m.

With a pink-painted wheelbarrow covered with a French canopy and a radio playing Soca music, Mr. Thomas plans to begin pushing his wife from Somerset Police Station, along Beacon Hill, the Railway Trail, over Somerset Bridge, and along the South Shore Road to Hamilton.

Mr. Thomas, who in training has covered more than 56 miles during the past few weeks with four concrete blocks in a wheelbarrow, expects to reach Hamilton within four hours.

Although he has recently had problems with his left hip, Mr. Thomas stressed that he would have to be in "extreme'' pain before he considered abandoning the event.

"If in good condition, we will proceed to Four Star Pizza for a celebration,'' he said. "If not, we will have 45 to 50 pizzas and soft drinks to treat friends awaiting us at Albuoy Point.'' But anniversary celebrations will not end there, Mr. Thomas said. After freshening up, he plans to take his bride on an Island tour, to lunch, then dancing.

Dancing has become a ritual for the couple in the past 12 years. Once every ten days they dance the night away whether they are in Bermuda or abroad.

"It's great for exercise and its enjoyable,'' Mr. Thomas said.

Their favourite local spot is the Windsor Room at Marriott's Castle Harbour.

But they can sometimes be spotted at Sonesta Beach Hotel or Southampton Princess.

The couple, who were high school sweethearts, believe the key to their happy marriage is communication, being best friends, and being faithful.

And they have given this advice to couples in the US and Bermuda who have sought their guidance.

"Everything we promised each other while courting we have fulfilled,'' Mr.

Thomas said proudly, adding that they have four children, two boys and two girls, as planned.

"Now,'' Mr. Thomas said, "we are trying to attend church as much as possible, preparing our children for being in business for themselves, trying to do something for the community, and taking trips somewhere different every year.

"Whatever I've done in life, my wife has worked right along with me.

"No matter how upset and angry we may be at the end of a day, we do not go to bed without hugging and kissing each other.'' Mr. Freddie Thomas.