Ben and Betty’s granddaughter Whitney emailed me a few months ago and asked if I would be interested in photographing her grandparents as they would be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year.   This would be a gift from the family to Ben and Betty.  UM, yes, all the yes to this session.   And what a special session for me to photograph for this family that I adore.  I had photographed Whitney and Justin’s wedding a few years ago.  So I was incredibly honored that they would think to ask me for Ben and Betty’s session.

I photograph weddings all the time.  I see young love all the time.  I’m touched by that, of what I see in the couples I photograph.  The hope, the new beginnings, the innocence…all of that I photograph on a regular basis and its so beautiful every time.   But I think I mentally needed Ben and Betty’s session.  I needed to see the happily ever after.  I wanted to know that soul mates can last.  That despite what the world has to throw at marriage you can still say yes for 60 years.  Ben and Betty touched my soul in their session.  I know that sounds dramatic.  But they are unique.  Its simply not the standard the world sees anymore.  I’m in my 15th year of marriage and even that is beating the odds.  So yes, 60 years, is a precious reason to celebrate.  To realize that yes, you can continue to love on each other in a world that says you can’t.

I asked Ben to bring a note that maybe he had written to Betty during the years they were dating.  While they didn’t have that…they had something more special.  Ben had written a letter about what his ideal woman would be.  Before he met Betty.   And here is what he wrote…and what he knew to be true of Betty when he met her.

The Ideal Woman

Regardless of the weather, these is you, steadfast as leather, constant tender true. Faithful and understanding, loyal and sincere. Our friendship is a treasure of priceless worth, my dear.

      To me, the most important trait I would look for in a women is if she is a sincere christian and willing to stand firm to what she knows and believes is right. One who will put her trust in God and remember that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord. To stand for the right even though it may mean death. Not to be ashamed of her religion and to be able to kneel with her husband and have prayer and worship together.

      Though some girls may not realize nearly every fellow who is looking forward to getting married notices whether or not she is kind to her mother, sisters, and brothers. It seems like it is very important, because if they don’t love and respect their own mother and sisters what will they be like to you after you are married for awhile. Looks don’t mean anything, just as along as they are neat and clean, and have high principles. To be kind and thoughtful of others and not to be selfish and want to have her own way all the time. One who will compromise without feeling that she has to in order to keep peace in the home, but will, from the kindness of her heart.

   One who has high moral standards and has a peace of mind.

      I want her to have gone out with enough other fellows so that she will know what she wants but yet hasn’t chased around with every guy that comes along, just because she might have physical attractions.

      I want her to love and understand children, so that she would be the kind of mother to them that they would be proud to have as a mother and that I could be proud to have as a life long companion.

      To be able to enjoy the things of nature and the handwork of God really means a lot to me. This I would like to find in my ideal woman.

      If finding these traits in her I believe that she would be the kind of woman that I would admire and want to share my love and happiness for the rest of our lives here on this earth and to spend eternity with.           BBB

This couple, it was surprising to me to see just how touched so many of you were.  I posted a little preview of their session a few weeks ago and it was shared over a 1000 times.  Liked over 7000 times by so many of you.  That tells me something.  The world needs more happy ever after stories like Ben and Betty’s.  They are such a sweet example of soul mates.  I hope that you are touched by their sweet love story.  I am incredibly honored to have photographed them.

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Elizabeth Ann Photography

Also, my friend and super talented florist designed and created the gorgeous floral piece.  SO gorgeous!

Sunflower Creative