Stamped October 5, 1998, it has yellowed over the last decade.

For Strong, a Caistor Centre native, the frame symbolizes the fruition of a lifelong dream. Now 35, Strong had hoped to open up his own auto body shop since he was in his teens.

Now, he's celebrating 10 years of living the dream.

"It's not really a job," he told the Grimsby Lincoln News. "It's fun. It's fun interacting with my customers. I view them as friends."

It was his initiative to open up Strong's Auto in 1998, located on Regional Road 20, just west of the Smithville.

He purchased a two-bay garage, formerly the home of a Shell gas station, and converted it into a full-service auto body shop, completing repairs and materials for "everything other than transmission."

Strong had received his license in 1996, following an apprenticeship at Nebo Auto Centre.

Upon opening the shop, he recruited his father, Joe Strong Sr., who had spent his career working at Stelco as a diesel mechanic.

"I've been around cars since my dad put me on the hood, while he worked on them," said Strong.

Strong Sr. worked with his son for three years, before succumbing to lung cancer in May of 2005.

"I worked really well together with my dad," his son said affectionately. "I really learned a lot from him."

Recently, Strong moved to St. Catharines, where he enjoys his off-time with his wife Kerie and daughters Kaylee, two, and Josie, five months.

But he still loves his garage, where he now "wears all the hats."

He thanks all of his loyal customers for allowing him to ply a trade and live a dream. To give back, Strong puts all he has into each and every car he works on.

"I try to take care of each car like it's my mother's," he said.