Take many of them. These pictures will one day serve as reminders of your grandmother’s joyful expression and the way your grandfather’s eyes sparkled with his smile.
You’ll be grateful for them when someone asks you to describe love. These photos will become your way of showing what love truly looks like. As time passes and memories begin to fade, those images might be all that remains.
My relationship with my grandparents has always been strong. During my childhood, I was free-spirited and full of energy, often running around the family farm. Whether it was my grandma or grandpa, one of them was always beside me.
I can still recall the soft summer breeze dancing through the flowers in my grandma’s garden. I even remember the sour bite of strawberries that weren’t quite ready to be picked. By the time I turned six, I could name every flower there. Grandma had one rule: I couldn’t pick a flower unless I knew its name. When it rained in the spring, I loved sitting with Grandpa on the porch, listening to his wise and funny stories.
Even as I entered adulthood, I was lucky to continue making special memories with them. After we sold the family farm, they moved to Lexington, Kentucky. Since I attended the University of Kentucky, I often dropped by to see them. Whether I needed a warm meal or just a hug, visiting them always brought me peace and comfort.
College was challenging in many ways. I often felt overwhelmed, and many evenings found me sitting at their kitchen counter in tears. Grandma would gently wipe away my tears with her handkerchief while Grandpa brought me a bowl of ice cream to lift my spirits. In a world where I often felt like I didn’t measure up, I never doubted their love. They embraced every part of me, flaws and all. Without realizing it, they helped me more than they ever knew.
After I graduated, I moved about an hour from where they lived. I found myself thinking about the good times we had. On days when I missed them, I would scroll through my phone and smile at the photos I had taken of them. My only regret was not taking more. I had no idea that a chance to make new memories was coming soon.
When I saw that local photographer Sarah Hill was offering sunflower photo sessions, I immediately signed up. At first, I imagined taking pictures with my boyfriend and was already planning our outfits.
A few days later, I realized he had to work and couldn’t join me. I felt disappointed but was determined to find someone else. Just then, my grandma texted me to check in. That message sparked an idea. I called her right away and asked if she and Grandpa would be interested in joining me for the photo session. Her excitement was clear.
She told me to let her know what I planned to wear so they could match. She was thrilled by the idea.
The evening of our session turned out to be perfect. The breeze was gentle, and the sunlight glowed through soft clouds. The sunflower field was full of bright, open blooms that seemed to welcome us. When I arrived, Grandma greeted me with a hug and kiss, and Grandpa followed with a warm smile. I could tell she had picked out his yellow shirt to coordinate with our outfits. We shared a few laughs, then walked into the field with Sarah.
Sarah had a gift for finding the perfect moments. In one photo, Grandma cupped my face just like she did when I was little. Her touch brought a wave of calm and comfort that made me feel like a child again.
Another touching photo captured a moment between Grandma and Grandpa. He looked at her with a gentle smile, holding her chin in his hand. Watching them, I felt like I was seeing their wedding pictures come to life. The love between them had not faded with time.
That evening became one of my most cherished memories. Whether we are apart due to distance or because life has moved on, those photos bring me back to that field and to their arms.
Life moves faster than we expect. The chances we think we’ll always have can disappear without warning. As we grow older, life becomes more demanding and busy. But while we are just beginning new chapters, our grandparents are nearing the end of theirs. Time is precious and constantly slipping away.
So please, take the photos. Capture the smiles, the tears, and the quiet moments. You’ll be glad you did.
