Photographer marks grandparents’ 63rd wedding anniversary with...

Everyone hopes and prays for a love everlasting, and it seems that Joe and Wanda Johnson well and truly found that when they met each other, 65 years ago.

The couple, both now in their eighties, recently celebrated their 63^rd wedding anniversary – and their granddaughter, Shalyn Nelson, chose to mark it in a very special way.

Papaw: "Oh! I don't think I've had this much action in a long longgg time." Me: "I got your back Papaw. That's what granddaughters are for." #hegotthatpapawswag #thehearthasnowrinkles #lovethenelsonsproject #oldlove

A photo posted by Shalyn Nelson (@shalynnelson) on Feb 12, 2016 at 6:43pm PST

A professional photographer, Shalyn decided to create a project around Joe and Wanda’s love story, and in this way, the Love, The Nelsons Project came to life.

As well as capturing gorgeous photos of the couple together, Shalyn asked both grandparents to write letters to one another – with gorgeous results.

"Dearest Wanda, it’s been a long time since I have written you a letter. I think it was when I was working in Canada, that I wrote you last. Anyway, I still love you just as much, probably more. The years have gone by fast. One morning you just wake up and you are OLD. Anyway, I wouldn’t trade them for all the gold in Alaska. We had 3 great kids and lots of fun raising them. Most of the time. We carried them to movies, playgrounds, swimming, ballgames, parties, etc. I wish that we could bring back some of those days. Now they have kids of their own which we have watched them grow, and some now with kids of their own. We must be real old. The days we had at the Freez-It at Fairfield and The Dixie Queen at Jewett and built the Rocket Drive-In with a 30’ rocket ship on the roof, those were the very hard years with lots of hard work and no vacations. I still worked my engineering job in Houston thru the week, and weekends at the drive-in businesses. Later, we got smart and got out of the drive in business. Later I retired, and we moved back to Jewett. We got into the ranching business. We made a lake and called it Hidden Lake Ranch. Found out that was a lot of hard work too. Now that we are in our Golden years, I think that we have turned to rust with all the Dr.’s we see. Anyway, I will close this letter to you saying I love you as much today as the day I married you. And just think, the license only cost $2.00. The best bargain I ever made. With all my love for you, Joe." Happy 65th Anniversary Mamaw and Papaw! I love you both so so so much! #lifegoals #lovemygrandparents #oldlove #oldlovebook #lovethenelsonsproject

A photo posted by Shalyn Nelson (@shalynnelson) on May 13, 2016 at 2:39pm PDT

One of the most romantic highlights of Joe’s letter reads: “I will close this letter to you saying I love you as much today as the day I married you. And just think, the license only cost $2.00. The best bargain I ever made. With all my love for you.”

Naturally, the photos have absolutely charmed the internet, with people all over the world falling in love with the Johnsons’ story.