This is one of my all-time favorite family photos. My grandparents on my father’s side both died when I was very young. My grandma was diagnosed with ALS years before I was born (she was only 58), and by the time I could remember her, she couldn’t move much or talk at all. Her eyes always lit up when we made our annual visit, though. She couldn’t say she loved me, but the way she smiled so big when we came told me more than words could. From what I understand, my grandpa was a little rough around the edges — he was a “man’s man” who loved hunting and fishing, and he worked his whole life for the Union Pacific Railroad. The way he tenderly cared for my grandma as her disease progressed over a ten year period was beautiful, and it was probably why she lived so long. There are many great photos of them from their courting days, but this one is my favorite. I love how candid and free it feels; I love how the affection they had for each other was as obvious when I knew them as it is in this picture. ~@preservedforposterity