When a photographer in Ohio was asked to do the annual calendar for the Down Syndrome Association, little did she know the impact it would have on her.
Mr. December was then 7-year-old Joey who insisted that his girlfriend Ellie appear with him in the photo.
Erika Brooke captured the two youngsters in the most adorable photo shoot ever and the love these two have for each other blew her away.
“In my 28 years of life, I am unsure I have ever seen a love this pure,” she said.
Erika, who is am Ohio-based wedding, elopement and portrait photographer, according to her Instagram business page, shared the story of this sweet young couple with Love What Matters.
“Chivalry isn’t dead and little Joey is walking proof,” she said of the young man who was chosen to be Mr. December for the calendar.
Erika said when Ellie was fearful to walk near the water Joey assured her she was okay and offered his hand to lead her. When Joey was hesitant to smile, Ellie tickled him and chased him to cheer him up.
“As I watched them interact I just thought to myself, ‘Wow. They already have it all figured out,’” Erika said.
“They are everything as children that I could ever hope to be as an adult. In that short hour, they encouraged me to be a better version of myself, to choose to see the good and to love a little more selflessly. If only we all saw the world as purely as Ellie and Joey do, what a beautiful world it would be.”
According to the article Joey’s mom Holly said that Joey and Ellie were born in the same town six months apart.
“From our first get together to today, Joey and Ellie have a bond, as well as their families. We get each other’s struggles and triumphs. We consider each other family,” Holly said.
In the unconditional love that these two have for each other they are teaching their families to be kind and respect those who are different which is having a wonderful knock-on effect.
Joey has three older sisters, and Ellie has two older sisters. Their sisters are already educating their friends and classmates about Down syndrome and how Joey and Ellie are just like them.
Holly said: “I am not sure when it happened, but Joey began calling Ellie his girlfriend. He will tell us on a weekly basis that he is going to marry Ellie. We think this could work out nicely for all of us!
“When they see each other outside of school, they immediately hold hands, hug and just look into each other’s eyes. It is as if they know something we do not.”
Holly said Joey is the perfect gentleman when Ellie visits, making sure she has a snack and that his family have greeted her with a hug.
“Love is a beautiful thing, and watching them love and see the best in each other is simply easy for them. They are specially-abled, as we would say. They have no apprehension to show their feelings for each other.
“When Joey asks me why he cannot marry his sisters, I tell him, ‘Because you have to marry your best friend.’ He always responds, ‘Oh I am going to marry Ellie then!’ She is his number one gal.”
Erika’ experience photographing Ellie and Joey is one she will never forget; she really has captured the purest of love here; these two are an inspiration to us all.