A photograph which shows a man trying to teach a woman the alphabet has become an internet sensation after the back story to the image was revealed on popular photo-sharing website Reddit.com.
Today News reports that the image was snapped by a stranger who was captivated by the elderly couple’s devotion to one another.
“We could feel the love emanating off them,” said Matthew Ballestero, the man who took the picture while he was with friends at his local Starbucks.
Check out the image:
The Starbucks has become the site where 82-year-old John takes his partner, Linda Alexander, for her reading lesson six mornings a week.
John’s partner Linda, aged 70, lost the vast majority of her memory after she experienced a sudden illness five years ago, which resulted in a stroke and severe brain damage.
“For a while, I couldn’t even talk – except to say, ‘I love you,” said Linda, speaking to NBC in America.
But teaching Linda how to read isn’t the only thing that John does for his other hal. He also takes her to the gym three days a week to help her strengthen the right side of her body, which was left partially paralyzed after her stroke.
“I want to be able to drive. And I want to be able to, to, to… read. And I want to do thing things, those that I did before,” said Linda.
John makes sure that Linda’s life isn’t all about her rehabilitation though. He also ensures that the couple have a romantic lunch together every single day.
Matthew Ballestero posted the picture that he took of the couple on Reddit with a short caption that finished with the sentence: “Patience, love and understanding at it’s finest.”
“My friends and I were overwhelmed by the love that these two had for each other, and I knew i wanted to let them know how much of an inspiration and a perfect example of true love they were to me,” Matthew wrote in the caption that accompanied the picture.
“You may be losing your memory, Linda, but the love that you and John have for each other will never be lost. Thank you for your beautiful example, Linda and John!” he added.
The photo has already drawn more than two million views. We don’t know about you, but we got a little choked-up when we heard this story. Inspirational or what?
