Local Love Stories: Moonstruck to Matrimony

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked Patch readers to share their love stories. For this Baldwin couple, it was not love at first sight- at least for one of them.

Whether you’re a fan of Valentine’s Day or the thought of red and pink decorations makes you want to puke, we’ve got a hunch everyone could use some happy news this month. And what’s happier than a love story?

We asked Patch readers on Facebook to share their local love stories — how they met, where it all went down, and what’s kept them together. Here’s the story of two Pittsburgh natives who've been together for 40 years. Their key to a happy marriage: "If you know and respect each other and are willing to compromise at times. Remember you only get what you give."

I met my husband when we both worked at Montgomery Wards before we began our real careers. It started with a simple hello in the snack bar during a break. He greeted me by name, but since he had no ID badge I asked him his name and we started to talk. He was a great listener and had a terrific sense of humor. We took our breaks together after that and became friends and started to date.

He became serious way sooner than I did, and I let him know it in true "Moonstruck" fashion by telling him to snap out of it. He persisted. He always surprised me with flowers and would go out of his way to do nice things for me. He won me over with his sweet ways and truly knowing what I needed before I could even think it. I knew he was the one six months after I met him. As we sat by the Christmas tree in my parents' living room, I felt a complete contentment and just the sheer joy of being with him. I wanted to freeze that moment in time and I envisioned a future with him that night.

Forty years later I still love to look at tree lights with his arms wrapped around me. I still envision a future with him as the center of my world, surrounded by our children and their families. What began so simply so long ago became the greatest love of my life.

WATCH: The History of St. Valentine's Day In Under 2 Minutes

Have a local love story you want to share? Write to us at submissions@patch.com.

Story and photos submitted by Evelyn P. of Baldwin