Growing up I was always a sucker for Disney’s princess. I have always believed in ‘happily-ever-after’ and the chance of settling down with Prince Charming. When I got older, I began to read all of Nicholas Sparks’s books. That man could turn my heart into a puddle with just a couple of sentences. Needless to say- I have always been a hopeless romantic. Of course, I got older from that point and realized the fairy tale I have always longed to model my life after was the relationships between my grandparents.

Grandma and Grandpa’s story is your classic romantic high school sweethearts. They were married at the age of 18 and grew a family farm together that is still cherished by this all of us. Grandpa spent his time selling livestock feed and tending his own farm. All the while, Grandma spent her time being a beautiful housewife raising two kids and running the house. I guess I should be careful with how I use the term ‘fairytale’ when describing Grandma and Grandpa. Was it perfect all of the time? No, it was not. Just like any couple, they had their disagreements. Unlike any couple, they never went to bed mad at each other. I can recall stories about Grandpa sitting outside all night long awake because he was not going to be mad at his wife. Hey, Nicolas Sparks, why hasn’t a man like that been your book yet? Developing a relationship with someone is hard. I just cannot understand how Grandma and Grandpa made it look so easy.

After spending nearly 42 years together, I don’t think I had ever seen their love for one another waiver. Especially when things go tough. Grandpa was diagnosed with cancer and passed away a few years later after putting up the strongest battle I had ever seen. As for Grandma, I want to mold myself to the strong, unconditional loving wife that she continues to be today. So Grandma and Grandpa, because I know you are with me every day, this one is for you:

Where do I start in thanking you two? How do I even tell you both how much your relationship has meant to me? With everything that happened, when is the right time to thank you for your continued faith in God? I have watched your legacy be carried out by all that have been involved in your lives and I hope that you can see your legacy in me.

Being a woman of God in college, you being to start questioning the bad things in the world. Why is this all happening and how could it be? Then I remember the two of you. The beauty and purity of love that was displayed by God through two magnificent people. Together you stood before God claiming your love for each other and today you wait to meet again through Him. I cannot begin to tell you how much that has meant to me through my journey in following God myself. Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for standing firm in the faith so that I can continue to be encouraged to do so myself. Philippians 4:13: I can do all thing through Christ who gives me strength. You both have proved this time and time again.

Grandma, so many times you have brought up Grandpa and how the things we grandchildren do remind you of him in some way. Those memories of Grandpa keep me driven to do my best every day and to fight every battle hard like he did. Thank you so much for the reminder and the compliment. However, I have to thank you for being you. After all these years, you have showed us the drive in your own heart to live out an example for use to follow. Most women would have given up without the love of their life. You did not nor have you ever acted like you are about to. Although my mom may be physically strong like Grandpa, she has undoubtedly received her mental strength from you. Something I hope to someday show off myself! You promised to Grandpa you would continue to live your life. After all these years, here you are living your life to the fullest.

I mentioned that your relationship to me has been my own form of a fairytale. To me and my sisters, we cannot thank you both for showing us how it is done. Not only did you two show us girls but you obviously showed my mom these tips and tricks as she has continued to represent both of your love to my dad. The future of me and my husband, I hope that we can be like the two of you: crazily, happily in love. You two have set the bar high for me but with your blood running through me, I know that I can do it.

Grandma and Grandpa, I cannot thank you enough for always being there for me and cheering me on every step of the way. Thank you so much for showing us how it’s done after all these years. You both are influential to me every day. Thank you for the famous grandparents' love I get from both of you every single day.