02/24/2026
About 13 or so years ago I saw a woman in Lowes that I couldn't stop staring at. She had such a striking spirit and I immediately wanted to tell her story. Back then I wasn't bold and it took a bit, but after risking being stalkerish and staring at her while trying not to be obvious that I was following her, I asked if I could please photograph her. We exchanged information. After time and learning more, I realized there was quite a story to be told. She and her husband had been together for decades. Times of beauty and times of hardship. Smiles and laughter but also storms of life that bashed them on the rocks.
I was honored to take their photos and try to document some of that and hopefully did a bit of justice. The lines on their faces and the looks in their eyes told more than words ever could.
I have been there for a few other times as the years have gone by.
This last weekend I was sorting through some old work and ran across their photos. I couldn't get them off my mind. I then saw their daughter post publicly that her father's journey was coming to an end.
After 58 years together, Zella has had to let him go.
If you are a praying sort, please pray for them all.
Elizabeth Rios Kristi Blumenberg
