A couple that’s been together for a really long time and has stood the test of time. If you have a great story and want to nominate someone for my ‘Romance of the Photograph’ project, please get in touch with us on the contact page.

…a submission from Houston, Texas (Joleen Sanborn) |My parents have been married for 51 years! My dad celebrated his 81st birthday last week and my mom will celebrate her 80th birthday next March, and they still are young at heart and enjoying life. Their romance began via phone when my dad called her number and asked for a friend of hers. He played it off like he had called her by mistake, but he had actually been given her number by a mutual friend. Their first date was the movie “Gunfight at the OK Corral” and was soon dating exclusively, as my dad had found the woman he would believe from them until now was the most wholesome, honorable and loving woman ever.

My dad was and is good-looking, and as he tells it, had women, and men, after him on several occasions over the years. He wears red socks every Saturday and has for as long as I can remember. His party socks! He’s the social one – always had lots of friends, involved in projects, golfing with his buddies and helping his friends and neighbors whenever he can. My mom reserved her love and passion for her family and a few close friends. Always there to nurture, listen and encourage us.

With my dad’s unabashed gregariousness and a smart mouth, he’s been known to get my usually calm mother riled up occasionally. This usually has the rest of us laughing because it’s out of character. I remember once when we were kids leaving the driveway for church on a Sunday morning, my dad motioned for my mom to roll down her window – that he had something to say. My mother’s response was to flip him off and proceed out the driveway! My brother and I were so surprised and aghast that our “perfect” mother would even know what that was, much less do it to my dad. We giggled and screamed in the car all the way to church! She laughed, but we also knew she didn’t do that lightly, so it meant Dad was in big trouble for something!

Even today, many years later, their teenage grand children who come to visit for a month each summer have now joined us in getting tickled when their grandmother has “had enough” of their grandfather’s teasing. It shows us all that through ups and downs and more than a few spats over the years, they love each other more than life. To live with someone for a half of a century and still respect, like and love each other takes patience, flexibility and a commitment to the journey. They are a wonderful example to our family and friends that it can be done and it’s worth the effort. I love and respect them immensely.

 …a submission from Houston, Texas | Jay, Bravissimo! I would like the first copy of your Romance of the Photograph book. My parents, age 83 and 86, 64 years married, have been my role models for what love offers a relationship. Mom and Dad get it. If you need proper subjects let me know. They have no idea of written you.

 …from a interview in Dinh Van, Vietnam (Married 48 years) | Do you remember the first time you kissed her? “Yes, it wasn’t until we married”. So you must have been really excited to get married huh? “Yeah, I was really looking forward to that day!”

 …from Texas | Hi there! My grandparents have been together for over 40 years. They got married when they were 17 and met in church. Ever since I can remember, my grandfather has told me how he fell in love with my grandma at first site and has had the same feelings ever since! (Actually, I caught them kissing one day in the kitchen!)

 …a submission from Vietnam | My parents first met while working on a farm. At first they didn’t talk to each other much, but after some time, they became close friends. At that time, they both came from poor families and had to work long hours and almost every day. As time went on, they fell in love. But because they were from different parts of Vietnam (my mother from the South and my father from the North) they were not allowed to see each other. After some time, my father found work in another city and left. My mother never thought she would see him again…

 …a submission from Houston (Peta-gay Chen Ledbetter) | My parents have been married 46 years. They are from Jamaica and Chinese decent. They still hold hands and kiss. They are incredible! Immigrating from Jamaica to the US , first to NY, then FL and now TX, has been a test of their relationship. Thanks for the project! I want a book!

 …a submission from Malaysia (Fidza Hamdan) |

Both of my mom and dad are living joyfully, now they are 57 years old, just celebrated their 32nd Wedding Anniversary last April, and still in love!

In the year of 1969, my mom’s dad passed away when she was 13 years old, so she moved with her sister’s family who was taking care of her. That’s how everything started when my mom moved into my dad’s high school. Although they were in the same class, they barely talk since both of them were shy to each other.

Unfortunately, my mom was at the high school for only 7 months before she followed her sister’s family moved to a different state due to her sister & brother in law’s relocation of being in the Police Department.

12 years passed by, but the short time of knowing each other is more than enough to grow the special feelings between them and trusting each other. They write to each other and only got to meet 3 times to keep in touch before they tied the knot on April 18, 1981.

They love each other so much, where me as their first daughter can see the sparks is always in their eyes when their together. Whenever they’re away from each other, Skype will be their way of communication to shorten their distance. Not only by words, my mom always show her love towards my dad by cooking his favorite food while my dad will treat my mom to her favorite restaurant and bring the whole family for a family trip to keep the love between my parents, us 3 sisters and a brother.

Life is rich, even though we didn’t have much, we had what we needed. ;)

 …a submission in the US (Amanda Khoo |

My parents are my true inspiration when it comes to finding love and staying love. My dad is 9 years older than my mum and they have been married for 23 years. In that time they have build a family, and taught us that you can stay in love despite many hardships. My dad calls my mum 3 times a day even when at work, they still call each other baby and darling.

They are affectionate and are never short of hugs and kisses. Always walking hand in hand, making each other laugh and supporting each other. I’ve never been more sure that it is possible to keep the love, passion and flame alive despite many years of marriage and many hardships. My dad is a true testament to his name ‘valentine’ after the patron saint of love, saint valentine.

IF YOU HAVE A GREAT STORY, DROP US A EMAIL ON THE CONTACT PAGE.