Love Story: Danny and Pauline Gallo

Danny and Pauline Gallo of Port Washington tried to keep their love a secret, but it was the talk of the town. Pauline explains.

I was shopping with my mother at the Gallo Supermarket in Port Washington when I first saw Danny. It was the summer of 1956. My family had just moved to Port Washington from Manhattan. My mom, a dressmaker, worked at a local shop, and my dad owned a barbershop in town. Danny worked at his family's supermarket.

We caught each other's eye, and, well, it was love at first sight. I was 14, and he was 17. Every time I went to the store we'd sneak glances at each other. This went on for months.

My brother heard that Danny wanted to ask me out, so he invited him to stop by that Christmas Eve. We started dating every weekend after that. My mother liked Danny so she was OK with it, but we didn't dare tell my father. He felt I was too young to date anyone.

When I was 15, Danny asked me to go steady. He gave me a bracelet, which I still have today. I was 17 when he taught me how to drive in his 1949 Ford convertible, his pride and joy. It wasn't easy learning on a standard shift. We would squabble, but we always made up quickly. We loved to take rides with the top down to Jones Beach, Bayville and Port Washington's town dock.

After I turned 18, Danny went to my father to ask for his permission to date me. Dad said, "Why ask me now?" He knew all along what we were doing. Port Washington was a very small town back then, and his customers at the barbershop kept him up to date.

We became engaged Nov. 19, 1960, and were married on Oct. 8, 1961. Danny and I went to Miami by train for our honeymoon. We have two sons, two daughters-in-law and three beautiful grandchildren.

Danny worked at the supermarket until 1986, then became superintendent of highways for the Village of Manorhaven. He retired in 2010. I was a teacher's aide in the Port Washington schools and later worked as a customer service rep with Publishers Clearing House for 25 years. I retired in 1999.

Our children and grandchildren threw us a 50th wedding anniversary party in October at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville. Father Steven Peterson from Our Lady of Fatima Church officiated as we renewed our vows on the beach at sunset.

It was beautiful overlooking Long Island Sound and seeing family and friends together. Danny and I thank God we met. God planned and helped us grow into a loving couple.