“Do you want us to get naked Tracey?  Are these photos going in Playboy?” said Norbert with a smile.

Can you see why I have been waiting for this shoot for months and I thought I would burst from excitement when this past Tuesday finally arrived?  You see, Norbert and Mary Woods have been married for 70 years and their story is one of true, everlasting love. The met in the service and four short months later they were married and haven’t looked backed.  They have 13 children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.  But what impresses me most, inspires me most, is they still truly love being together and  enjoy each other’s company, and that is beautiful.  Norb and Mary love to travel, read, garden, watch Jeopardy, and love sharing fond memories and stories.

I asked Kaitlin what they love to do together and she said they have dinner every night in their garden-an idea was born.

A big thanks to Kaitlin, Greg, Greg’s mom Cathy and Uncle Mark for assisting me with this shoot, ladder, lights,candles and all the rest!

Norb & Mary are one of the winners of the “Married 40 Years or More” contest I held this past Winter.  They were nominated by their very thoughtful, granddaughter to be, Kaitlin.  I am the honor of photographing Kaitlin & Greg’s wedding next month.  To be able to photograph young love and love that has withstood the test of time in one family; is a gift and I am very thankful for the opportunity.

“Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.” 
― Khalil Gibran, The Prophet