Lately, I can’t help but wonder how the meaning of love has changed over the years. The word love has evolved from a sacred term of complete satisfaction of someone, to a term you use to describe how much you enjoy that pomegranate fro-yo. I’ve heard the word love thrown around like a beach ball on a hot summer’s day, but when it comes to relationships, the word love should still be kept as sacred as it used to be.

Relationships in 2016 usually begin from liking each other’s pictures on Instagram or Snapchatting one another back and forth. Yet, relationships back in the 1950’s did not start this way. I’m going to tell you a short story about a marriage that has lasted 59 years. Hopefully, this short story will encourage you to learn how simple yet complicated love is and how you should cherish that three-word phrase.

On July 14, 1956, Bastille Day, a 15-year-old French woman, and a 21-year-old French man danced with one another in New York City. The two had been going to these dances every Saturday evening and had not crossed paths once before, but tonight was the night that would change their lives forever.

The man Louis was living with his aunt and uncle in Lodi, New Jersey and the young woman Simone was going to private school, trying to get an education in the new country she called home. After that night, Louis would visit Simone in Astoria while she played tennis with her sisters on the weekends. The two had no label but kept in close contact throughout the next few weeks.

Another Saturday night came by and the two went dancing together in New York City. Simone, who loved to dance, socialize and have a great time, danced with Louis for half of the evening but eventually made her way around to dancing with a few other gentlemen. At the end of that evening, Louis grasped Simone and romantically flung her into his arms. “It’s either me or the others,” he said. Simone was puzzled, but quickly realized Louis was jealous. She chose him and they started going “steady” from then on out.

Louis and Simone are my grandparents. The story of how they met brings the biggest smile to my face. Knowing they have been together for 59 years has given me hope that one day I will be able to find a genuine and long lasting relationship like theirs. Although their love story is one of millions, the true love they share for one another is like no other.