Over Thanksgiving, my grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. That's 50 years! 50 years being together, taking each others' crap, loving each other, fighting over the stupidest things, arguing over who cooks better or who cleans better, and evidently, making each other a better person. I have no idea how they did it.

They only have four grandchildren, me and my 3 brothers. But they spoil us rotten, as they should. We flew to Florida over the holiday weekend to celebrate not only Thanksgiving but their 50 years together. They renewed their vows and had a huge party. There was tons of food, family, and friends, with music from their time and music from now. Everything was white and gold, because the 50th anniversary is also the golden anniversary. My Nona was basically a bride and she acted as if she had gotten married for the first time. My Nono as well, which is a change from his usually grumpy self.

I'm not much of a romantic, but I saw what true love was that weekend.

I was the photographer the whole evening, so I caught them getting ready at the church and toasting at the house afterward. I saw how much they truly cared for each other, beyond every silly fight and argument. I saw how they took care of each other all these years. They've been through a lot. They escaped WWII in Italy and moved to Argentina to start over. Then a few years ago they moved to Florida to be closer to us and my uncle. They moved around the world twice and each time they gave up everything they had in hopes of a better future. I don't know if anyone could have done what they did.

Seeing them together made me realize how true love isn't lost and isn't only in the movies or the books. Things may not always be perfect, but when are they? If everything were perfect, it would be kind of boring, wouldn't it? And I would assume that living with someone and being married to them for 50 years will really test your patience.

But overall, their marriage is something inspiring because they've literally been through all the ups and the downs and they've stuck with each other. They drive each other crazy, but their unconditional love shines brighter than anything else. And I couldn't be happier because I got to share their moment with them. Not everyone can.