Many people would be startled to learn that Henry Winkler and his wife nearly never saw one another again after their first encounter in a garment store, despite having three children and a 44-year marriage.

Henry Winkler is best known for his portrayal of Arthur Fonzarelli on “Happy Days,” but he should also be honored for his loving marriage to Stacey. It’s difficult to believe that the two almost never went on their first date.

Most people are familiar with Henry Winkler because of the classic roles he has played during his long career. Most notably, Winkler is remembered for his portrayal of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in “Happy Days,” a figure who is still widely referenced in popular culture today.

When Stacey and Henry met, they were both working as public relations consultants for a clothing business that was a customer of Stacey’s firm. Henry sought Stacey’s aid when hunting for a sport coat, and the rest is history.

“She was wearing purple parachute pants, and she had red hair, and without her even saying a word, I thought, ‘Woah, beautiful woman standing in front of me.” Henry recounted their first meeting. When I returned to the store the next week, she was still there. And I found out how powerful she is in 10 minutes.”

When Henry returned to the same store a week later for his coat, Stacey almost declined his invitation to go on a date. Of course, she ultimately accepted, and they were dating before they knew it.

Stacey and her then-four-year-old son moved in with Henry shortly before the pair decided to marry in 1978.

After marrying at the same Manhattan synagogue where Winkler had his bar mitzvah, the pair had to deal with Henry’s growing celebrity. Stacey frequently had to deal with the increased female attention he began to receive.

Despite the couple’s marriage, Stacey stated that women continued to approach their spouses. She stated that all she had to do was learn to live with it, understanding that such attention was a positive indication for his career.

“People would rush up to Henry and literally walk over my feet,” she said. ‘You’ve just absolutely wrecked my stockings,’ I exclaimed one day. ‘But I adore Fonzie!’ exclaimed the woman.

Female fans were not a major issue for the pair in comparison to future challenges.

Henry and Stacey had their daughter Zoey in 1980 and their son Max in 1983, and they lived for many years with their children and careers.

Max Daniel Winkler opted to follow in his father’s footsteps in Hollywood and is now a writer, director, and producer on shows including “New Girl” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” among others.

However, the family’s fortunes began to deteriorate in the late 1990s. When Stacey was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was confronted with a new struggle.

Stacey swiftly recovered from her illness. This continued for a while, until her cancer returned in 2007. She had a double mastectomy at this time and has been cancer-free ever since.

Henry has gotten quite interested in breast cancer awareness in order to help his loving wife. Winkler was invited to speak at the 13th annual “In the Pink of Health” Luncheon, one of several events hosted by the charity to raise funds for breast cancer patients and their families.

Henry was already helping cancer patients before Stacey was diagnosed, even participating in an all-star basketball game for the American Cancer Society in 1976.

Henry and his wife have been able to sustain a long and healthy marriage through mutual support and respect. They do not keep their love hidden, despite the fact that they believe there is more than one cause for their marital success.

James Corden stunned Henry with a photo from his and Stacey’s wedding day on the James Corden program. Winkler’s comment was that Stacey is still as stunning today as she was on their wedding day.

Henry is not the only one who has publicly expressed their affection. She frequently expresses her support for her still-busy spouse through social media postings and images.

While 44 years of marriage are never easy, the pair has been vocal about working together to overcome the difficulties that life throws at them.

“It does need effort. “There are bumps in the road, and you get a little off kilter, but if you have the ability and the stick-to-fitness based on love, your friendship and your relationship only get better,” Stacey told People.

Winkler and his wife now enjoy becoming grandparents. Winkler never got to know his grandparents since they were all transported to concentration camps during the Holocaust, so he treasures his relationship with his grandchildren.

One of his grandkids recognized him from television, he informed an interviewer. “My wife and I babysat our four-year-old grandson, who is allowed to watch one show before going to bed,” he explained. He had Happy Days recorded on his DVR. ‘That’s you,’ he replied as he turned to face me. Your hair was unusual. You were slimmer back then.”

He claimed that his grandkids were too little to comprehend that he was a renowned actor and that he was just their adoring grandpa, “Papa,” to them, which was enough for him.

For their reality, courage, and love as individuals and as a couple, the two should certainly be an inspiration to the rest of us.