Jim Russell donned a tuxedo to surprise his wife, Elinor, in the hospital on their recent anniversary.
The Georgia couple lived close to each other as children, but it wasn't until Jim returned from World War II that their romance flourished, ABC News reports.
They were married on May 20, 1958 on what Elinor remembers as a "dark, stormy day."
With the exception of one trip to Rome and another to Hawaii, the couple typically preferred "low key" anniversary celebrations, according to their son Bo.
That trend changed two days ago, however.
Elinor has been hospitalized for about a month, but her family wanted her upcoming 57th anniversary to be an unforgettable day.
Jim told ABC News,
My kids decided it would be great to do something special for my bride, so I went along with it.
So, he put on a tuxedo and walked into her hospital room with chocolates and a bouquet of flowers.
Thanks to her two granddaughters who did her makeup, Elinor looked her very best.
Elinor and Jim shared a meal while watching their two favorite shows, "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."
Bo noted the tuxedo was the same one his father wore to go ballroom dancing on weekends.
Elinor said,
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.
She went on to describe the anniversary as a "wonderful time," and she enjoyed some friendly conversation with her husband.
Citations: Man Surprises Wife in Hospital Bed for 57th Anniversary With Flowers and Chocolate (ABC News)
