Love Starts at the Top in this Family of Six

“The best families are put together by love, not biology.” – Bill Smith

Bill and Helen Smith met when they were only 17. Helen attended the local Catholic girls’ school while Bill went to the brother neighborhood Catholic boys’ school. They were introduced by mutual friends. After dating throughout high school and college, they married at age 21 on June 14, 1975, celebrating 50 years of happy marriage last year in 2025. 

Always aspiring to have a big family, the Smiths had their first son, Ryan, two years into their marriage. When Helen was diagnosed with breast cancer, the couple was unable to have more biological children. 

That was when Helen and Bill decided to adopt their second son, Tyler, from South Korea when he was just five months old. As their two sons grew, the Smiths decided to become foster parents, ultimately adopting two daughters, Alexis and Tessa, that they had first fostered. Now their family picture was complete.

Bill and Helen worked hard over the years to give their children every opportunity possible. Bill was an accountant for 18 years before he worked in information technology for another 30 years. Helen worked for a variety of local companies. After surviving breast cancer, Helen has been living with a neurological disorder for 20 years.

Bill and Helen were born and raised in the area where they have always lived outside of Philadelphia. Despite challenges they’ve faced in their long, happy partnership, the Smiths remain grateful and loving parents to the beautiful family they’ve built.

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