Harold And Francis Gates, Retired Couple, Goes Back To College After Dropping Out Years Ago (VIDEO)

After 51 years of marriage, raising children and doting on grand- and great-grandchildren, retired couple Harold and Francis Gates had just one regret: never finishing college.

Now the couple is taking the opportunity to change that by going back to school -- together.

The Gates, both 69 years old, have enrolled at Lone Star College in Kingswood, Texas and are planning to graduate next year with their Associates degrees, ABC reports. Engaged the night of their senior prom in 1960, their path to college took a detour to focus on working and taking care of their children.

Going back to school, for Harold, is about "the self-satisfaction that I'll have a degree," he explained to ABC affiliate KTRK-TV in Houston, Texas.

This second-go-round at school, the pair are model students -- they each have 4.0 grade point averages, not to brag -- and are the recipients of an high academic distinction that Frances calls a true "honor." To find out what it is, watch the video above.