Joel and Carolyn LaPray have known each other for 82 years and have been married for 64 of them. Not many couples can say they’ve literally known each other since they were toddlers, but they can.

They first met in Idaho in the early 1940s. Their families were neighbors and their parents were friends, so they ended up playing together as little kids

After that, both families moved away during World War II. Years later they both were in Utah, and by their teen years they were seeing each other again.

In high school, Joel asked Carolyn to the military ball when they were sophomores. She didn’t know how she felt yet, but Joel seemed pretty sure of himself and figured she was the one.

He was right. During their senior year, they started spending more time together, and by graduation they were in love. They went to Utah State University together and decided to get married after their first year of college. That was the beginning of their life together.

Now, 64 years later, they’re still going strong. The family they built together is massive. They have 6 kids, 25 grandkids, and 33 great-grandkids. That’s 70 people in total, and Joel said he’s not even counting anymore.

One of the sweetest things from their wedding was a black and white photo of them as toddlers. Joel’s mom had a friend turn it into a painting and gave it to them as a wedding gift. They placed it by the wedding cake with a sign that read: “Joel and Carolyn, their first date.” It’s still something they treasure today.

When asked what the secret to their long marriage is, Joel didn’t hesitate. He said: “We each have different opinions, we compromise, we do it her way.”

Carolyn hinted at the old saying about happy wife, happy life. Joel added that as long as “momma” is happy, everyone’s happy, and that’s the goal.

They’re a real example of what commitment looks like over a lifetime. Not everyone gets to marry someone they’ve known since they were in diapers.