World War II Veteran Surprises Wife in Hospital on Their 57th Anniversary

True love is one of the most unwavering and devoted forces—an elderly gentleman from Georgia proved it. While his wife was in the hospital on their wedding anniversary, he surprised her with a heartwarming display of affection.

Fairy tales do exist, and sometimes they involve unlikely characters. James "Jim" Russell and Elinor Russell found a long-lasting happily ever after, and every year they find the time to celebrate their anniversary.

The couple met when they were kids, and after Jim returned from World War II, they reconnected, eloping on May 20, 1958. Their love story spanned many decades, and they still had their spark.

An Anniversary in the Hospital

Anniversaries were always special occasions for the lovebirds; in the past, they had taken romantic trips to Hawaii and Rome in honor of the special day. However, their 57th commemoration was confined to a hospital.

Jim revealed that his children encouraged him to think out of the box to make their anniversary special. Elinor's grandkids also put some makeup on their beloved grandmother, so she was ready for the date.

Elinor was unwell, spending a month at a medical facility in 2015. While she likely imagined missing out on her wedding anniversary, her husband had other plans.

The Romantic Gesture

Jim planned a grand romantic gesture for the woman he had known since "she was in pigtails." The elderly man showed up at the hospital looking dapper in a black and white tuxedo.

The suit was something he had worn frequently in the past after he and his wife joined a dance club. They had made many happy memories together, and life would be no different in their golden years.

Apart from dressing to the nines, Jim surprised his wife with a bouquet of bright flowers and a chocolate hamper. After 57 years together, he still wanted to make his spouse feel like a queen.

Their Special Date

Jim's actions spoke louder than words and meant a great deal to Elinor. The couple's granddaughter, Reid Russell, captured the sweet moment and shared it online. She captioned the post:

"My grandma is in the hospital, but it's their 57th anniversary, so he showed up in a tux to surprise her [with] flowers."

While it was not a vacation in Hawaii or Rome, it included some of the couple's favorite things. They watched "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" after enjoying dinner together.

Jim revealed that his children encouraged him to think out of the box to make their anniversary special. Elinor's grandkids also put some makeup on their beloved grandmother, so she was ready for the date.

It Made Her Smile

For Elinor, the most important thing was spending time with her husband and loved ones. She shared that they always sat together, chatting for ages and enjoying each other's company. The grandmother added:

"Being in a hospital bed, you get bored so when they came in, it made me smile like the younger days when we were dancing."

The couple's son Bo noted that his mom and dad always prioritized their anniversary—even if they just did something "low key." Cherishing the commitment they made more than five decades ago was undoubtedly important to Jim and Elinor.

The Online Response

Friends, family members, and strangers fell in love with the couple's devotion and commitment. Many people hoped to have a relationship like theirs, and others applauded their unending dedication:

"THIS IS THE CUTEST THING EVER. You're so blessed to have grandparents like this! #truelove"

- (@jenny_benkert) May 22, 2015

"My heart just melted! Your grandfather is a beautiful person. That's true love. Happy anniversary to them!"

- (@vikkiziegler) May 21, 2015

"Such a precious soul. She is a lucky woman."

- (Taylor Katie) May 23, 2015

"How precious and how much he loves her."

- (Linda Kitts) May 23, 2015

"True love does last forever."

- (Cynthia Stiers) May 23, 2015

Elinor and Jim have a one-of-a-kind bond that many people only dream about. We send the sweet couple our prayers and well wishes.

Click here for a story about David McCallum from "NCIS." The actor and his wife celebrated their 55th anniversary in 2022, and they are more in love than ever! Discover their secret to a long and happy marriage.