Photo Of Wife Carrying Legless Marine Husband Goes Viral

The moving photo of a devoted wife carrying her legless Marine husband has taken the Internet by storm.

If you look at the close-up, Jesse and Kelly Cottle look like many other couples in love. The are both very attractive and stand with a lovely nature background posing for the shot.

However, upon zooming out you can see that clearly this is no ordinary picture. The fact is that Kelly is giving his double-amputee husband Jesse, a piggyback-ride.

That is why this photo has been such a hit.

Jesse Cottle, 28, lost both legs in Afghanistan in an IED attack during his tour of duty in 2009. The incident was recorded by a fellow Marine on a helmet camera.

After spending months recovering from his ordeal, Jesse met his future wife, Kelly at a swim meet, one of his first outings with his new prosthetic legs.

“His personality and who he is just outweighs his injuries by so much that you forget about it after a while,” the Marine’s wife Kelly explained.

The photo of the wife carrying her injured Marine husband was taken during a trip Kelly took to meet Jesse’s family in Boise, Idaho.

While taking a few family photos someone suggested taking some shots by the water nearby.

“I was carrying Jesse back to his legs, and the photographer was like,’Oh we’ll get a couple of shots of you together.’ It wasn’t planned or anything.” Kelly commented.

Photographer Sarah Ledford posted the photos on her Facebook page, which has been swamped with comments and media requests for interviews.

“It’s an amazingly inspiring story that has touched the lives of many Americans,” Ledford said. “Jesse is not a hero for stepping on an IED, he’s a hero because of the way he has handled what was handed to him and how he chooses to continue to conduct his life with his positive attitude.”

The Marine says his wife Kelly carrying him, not only physically but emotionally as well is what makes their relationship special.

“The photo really says it all. I actually look at it very much as a symbol for our whole relationship in general. She’s physically carrying me, but there’s times where she’s carrying me emotionally. It’s a perfect representation of who Kelly is.” Jesse says.

Jesse and Kelly Cottle just celebrated their first wedding anniversary on August 18 by eating the top layer of their red velvet cake.

The image of a wife carrying her double-amputee Marine husband is one of the most touching images you will ever see. Thank you Jesse, for you service and sacrifice.