Chivalry isn’t dead, and little Joey is living proof. Every year, I have the honor of photographing the annual calendar for the Down Syndrome Association, and this year, ‘Mr. December’ suggested that his girlfriend, Ellie, be included in his photoshoot.

Prepare yourself for the most adorable photos you’ve probably ever seen. As a photographer, I witness many forms of love, but in my 28 years of life, I’m unsure if I have ever seen a love as pure as this.

As I photographed them together, I was truly in awe. When Ellie was afraid to walk near the water, Joey quickly assured her it was OK and offered his hand to lead her. When Joey was hesitant to smile, Ellie was tickling and chasing him to cheer him up. Watching them interact, I thought to myself, ‘Wow. They already have it all figured out.’

They embody everything as children that I could ever hope to be as an adult. In that short hour, they inspired 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.

Joey’s mom, Holly, told Love What Matters that her son and his beloved girlfriend, Ellie, were born in the same small town, only six months apart. Both Joey and Ellie were born with Down syndrome, and their families were not aware of the diagnosis beforehand. But fate brought the two families together, and since their first meeting, Joey and Ellie have formed a deep bond, as have their families. They now consider each other family.

For Joey and Ellie, love is unconditional. They show their families, each other, and everyone else that love matters most. They face real struggles, and their families know the importance of educating the world about kindness and respect for those who are different. Joey and Ellie have older sisters who are already educating their friends and classmates about Down syndrome and how Joey and Ellie are just like them. In return, Joey and Ellie have taught their siblings about compassion, kindness, and accepting all kinds of differently-abled people—a lesson that is not always easy to teach children.

At some point, Joey began calling Ellie his girlfriend, and he often tells everyone that he is going to marry her. When they see each other outside of school, they immediately hold hands, hug, and gaze into each other’s eyes, as if they know something special.

Joey is very protective of Ellie and takes care of her, making sure she is comfortable and happy. Love is a beautiful thing, and it comes naturally to them. When Joey asks why he can’t marry his sisters, he is told, ‘Because you have to marry your best friend.’ His immediate response is, ‘Oh, I am going to marry Ellie then!’ She is his number one gal.

Erika Franta of Erika Brooke Photography captured this heartwarming story and shared it in honor of World Down Syndrome Day. This precious moment is a testament to the power of love, acceptance, and celebrating differences. It’s a reminder that in a world full of challenges, the love between Joey and Ellie shines brightly and touches the hearts of all who witness it.

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Erika Franta of Erika Brooke Photography in Columbus, Ohio, and Joey’s mom, Holly. It’s a beautiful example of the love and connection that can blossom between two individuals with Down syndrome and the impact they have on their families and the world around them.