I was torn on whether or not to write about this, but seeing as this blog is here to share love stories between our couples, well… There’s no greater love story than that of Wallace and Evelyn.

Today Nate and I are in Indiana celebrating the life of his late grandfather, Wallace.

Wallace was one of the first computer programers in America. He was never without his camera and a smile, and everyone in town knew and loved him. Nate and I went to the post office in Linton a couple years ago and when the woman at the register found out that Nate was Wallace’s grandson, her face lit up. Every time he’d leave the post office, down the stairs out front, she’d see him playfully jump over the last two steps. 85-year-old Wallace.

More than anything in the world, Nate’s grandpa adored and cherished his wife. 10 years ago when I met him, it was clear that Wallace didn’t think he married the most amazing and beautiful woman in the world, he knew it and let everyone around know. This became even more obvious in the last few years once his health took a turn. He’d go the whole day without speaking. Then after dinner, I’d hear him whisper a sweet “I love you” to his wife, like he spent the whole day saving up the energy to let her know how he felt.

There are a few memories that are so incredibly special to me that I’ll always remember about their relationship: Two Christmases ago, Nate snuck a kiss with me when no one was around at the bottom of the staircase in his grandparents’ home. Turns out, Grandma was on the other side of the room, and she gave us the funniest look of shock with a smile and walked away with a, “well, well, well!” The next day, Grandma told me that Grandpa, who didn’t see the kiss, randomly kissed her in the very same spot that Nate did. “I guess that’s the kissing spot, huh!” she smiled.

My other favorite was one of our first times seeing Nate’s grandpa after we eloped. We were all out to dinner, and Nate was seated next to Grandpa, me next to Nate. After the family prayed, Nate kissed my hand, and Grandpa smiled at him and whispered, “Aren’t we lucky?”

I will never, ever forget that special man, the first grandfather figure I had in my life. His legacy is a wonderful one, with his two amazing daughters and three grandchildren- One who shares his energy, good heart, love for technology and photography, but most of all, unwavering love for their wives.

Godspeed, Grandpa- We love you.