This isn’t the first time John and Dalia Ponce have walked into a train station and walked out with a new lease on life. It’s how their love story began.

John had just started working for the Long Island Rail Road. He was just about to park the train in the yard and call it a day when Dalia walked in.

“And I was like ooh, who’s that girl,” said John Ponce.

He says it was love at first train ride — well, almost.

“He thought I was a passenger and told me that I had to get off the train. I said that no I didn’t and I sat down," Dalia Ponce said.

The ride started out bumpy for the two train engineers. In the twenty years since, they married, renewed their vows and raised children. Nothing prepared them for the coronavirus.

“You wonder: are you next? Are you going to get it,” she said.

John worked in the field the entire pandemic. Dalia, who has been doing her supervisory work remotely from home, says it’s been rough not being able to see their parents and other relatives.

“It hurts. I miss them. We celebrated all holidays at our house — Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother’s Day, birthdays.”

That’s why the couple decided to get the COVID Vaccine.

The couple is not alone. As of Friday, 28,000 MTA employees have gotten the shot at the agency’s three vaccination sites.

Though the two were apprehensive about getting the vaccine, they’re glad they did it together.

“She’s my queen. I try to be there for her for everything. Anything she needs me for I’m always there for her,” he said.