When Cheltenham’s Joe Farley first saw Pat Kelly in 1961, it was love at first sight, writes Kellie Patrick Gates for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

“It was as though I loved her before I met her,” recalled Joe.

Luckily for him, his feelings were reciprocated, and the pair soon started dating. When their first baby was on the way, Pat decided it was time to accept Joe’s marriage proposal. It was not easy, as they had little money and no insurance. When their baby was born, the hospital refused to let mother and daughter leave until Joe had returned with the title to their old Ford as collateral.

Joe accepted a pipe-fitting job that significantly improved the family’s financial situation. After he was laid off, he opened his own plumbing company. Pat became its bookkeeper and appointment scheduler.

They bought a home in Cheltenham in 1974, in which they still live.

The pair had three more children and now have 11 grandchildren; all of them are very close and loving.

“That’s the greatest gift you can get,” said Joe. “It’s the thing that makes me proudest about our family.”

Read more about the Pat and Joe Farley in The Philadelphia Inquirer.