The 102-year-old grandmother of Tara Foley started getting hospice care just a few weeks after she purchased her wedding gown.

In Naples, Florida, hospice nurses were informed by Foley’s grandmother, Stasia Foley, that she wished to attend her granddaughter’s wedding that summer.

Realtor Tara, 37, says in a PEOPLE interview, “I knew she wouldn’t be able to make it back to Texas for my wedding.” After hearing that, I immediately responded, “I had to go see her.” Please let her to see me as I am dressed. And I’m doing my best to fulfill her last instruction.

On January 28, Tara informed her parents that she and her boyfriend, 41-year-old Matt Bars, would be going to Miami for business purposes. She landed in Fort Myers instead. Since she didn’t want her fiancé to see the dress before the wedding, she didn’t bring him. Tara informed her aunt and uncle that in order to complete the legacy film she had begun in September, she needed to ask her nana a few more questions.

Tara had her hair and makeup done before going to her aunt and uncle’s condo. She became aware of Tara’s grandmother’s visitor.

“I thought it was going to be you,” the woman remarked as she turned to face me, Tara recalls.

Tara hastily altered her Stella York wedding dress before surprising her Nana with a photo session in the condo’s clubhouse.

Tara recalls, “I so badly wanted her to see me all dressed up. She didn’t even flinch at my clothing’s tulle or fabric. She kept looking at me and my clothes at the same time.

Tara was complimented on being a stunning bride.

I got pretty emotional, Tara says, “I became quite emotional.” She didn’t cry all the time. She also sobbed uncontrollably.

Even the photographer admits to crying a little bit while capturing the images.

Marie Kamp, a photographer with studios in Fort Myers and Knoxville, Tennessee, called it “very sweet.” It had a delicious flavor.

After her initial phone chat with Tara, makeup artist Michelle Weaver broke down in tears. She considered it to be one of the sisters’ most prized photo sessions.

Weaver tells PEOPLE, “It will live forever in our hearts.”

Tara then removed the makeup she had worn on her wedding day and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She secretly made a deal with her granny.

According to Tara, “I wanted to keep all the images a surprise.” I’ll tell them we went dancing, she murmured, placing her finger to her chin and gazing out the window.

On February 23, less than a month later, Tara’s grandmother passed away. Only three months separated her from reaching 103. However, Tara saved information about her photo shoot until the morning of her wedding on June 1. Tara gloats, “I’m pretty adept at keeping things hidden.

Tara surprised her family with framed pictures from her covert photo shoot while she and her bridesmaids were getting their hair and cosmetics done at Hidden Falls Ranch in Spring Branch, Texas.

“My father believed that I had combined two photos using Photoshop. The vision had simply moved him incredibly. According to Tara, he didn’t think that was the case. Tears started to flow at that precise moment. Simply put, everyone was astonished and inconsolably affected.

The moment was documented by her wedding photographer, which, in her opinion, is unusual for most of her weddings.

Austin-based photographer Misty McLendon describes it as “more sensitive and intimate.” “I could never succeed at it. I could never keep a secret for that long.

Over 1.7 million people liked and shared the pictures Tara took with her grandmother on social media.

“The pictures have profoundly affected everyone.”Everyone was extremely kind and welcoming, Tara continues. “Despite the nasty information on social media, which is a strange world, people are telling me how great the earth can be. Right now, everyone is acting so kindly. All of the tales that people are sharing with me about their grandparents are fascinating.

Tara canvas printed one of the images, but she’s having trouble deciding which one to frame for herself. She says she just loves too many of them.

The popularity of the pictures Kamp took astounds the photographer. Kamp is aware of the value of gathering pictures of a departed loved one because she lost her 212-year-old daughter to a cardiac condition in 1994.

I enjoy giving people gifts, says Kamp. Photos are really significant. It’s the last thing you have at times.