While many remember their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary as the best, Albert and Maria Garcia will remember their 37th as the most special.
It wasn't spent at a fancy restaurant, on a cruise, or on a European vacation. They spent it with a cookout in front of their brand new house, located at 1109 Chestnut in Saginaw, from Saginaw County Habitat for Humanity.
"If I was to hit the lotto I wouldn't switch my house," she said.
Albert said it was a dream come true.
"I couldn't get a better gift," he said.
The journey to 37 years of marriage wasn't simple though.
In 1998 the couple moved out of their house and began moving between several of their 8 children's houses, Maria taking care of their grandchildren while Albert, 64, worked.
Then 10 years ago Maria was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Because of the condition she now has to walk with a cane and cannot walk up stairs.
Three years ago Albert lost his job and began taking care of Maria full-time.
In 2009 the couple applied for a house through Habitat for Humanity and Cameron Brady, executive director of Saginaw Habitat for Humanity, said they demonstrated a need for the house, an ability to pay and willingness to partner with the group.
"This has been a long time coming," he said about the family.
Albert has been working with Habitat for Humanity to build their house and said he is going to volunteer to build other houses.
The couple spent Tuesday afternoon celebrating with some of their children, 22 grandchildren, friends and volunteers from Habitat for Humanity as they received their house keys and enjoyed their 37th anniversary.
"We love each other like we're newlyweds," Maria said.
Volunteers started to deconstruct the house that was on the land and used some of the base to create the current two story house, which includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms and new appliances, in November.
The house is going to include a ramp in the back door and lifts so Maria can get up and down the stairs inside the house.
The volunteers "did a fantastic job," Brady said about the house. He said more than 2,000 volunteers went into the house, which could be appraised at between $70,000 to $90,000 he said.
Robert D. Ducharme, 77, was the house leader for the building and said volunteers worked well and he is pleased with how the house turned out.
"Anytime you have a family ... they seem so appreciative," he said.