Happiness, Wellness & Longevity—These Married Senior Couples
Hold the Secrets
ATLANTA, June 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "I never imagined that the
skills we needed to survive years of torture and abuse would be the
same skills you need to create a successful long-term marriage,"
says Lee Ellis, a former fighter
pilot, retired Air Force Colonel, and five-year POW (Prisoner of
War). In "Captured by Love: Inspiring True Romance Stories
from Vietnam POWs" he has compiled a unique collection of 20 war
stories entwined with love stories that are emotional, inspiring
and instructive.
While psychologists, sociologists and neuroscientists have been
working for decades to discover the secrets of happiness, wellness
and longevity, 20 American couples have been living "happily ever
after" marriages for between 44 and 64 years.
Ellis discovered seven "Love Lessons" that appeared repeatedly
in the stories he gathered from his fellow POWs. "There is
something universal and powerful about these lessons. They're not
sophisticated or difficult, but we all need reminders and
practice."
The seven principles are...
- Shared values. Couples whose values align—be they spiritual or
personal or cultural values—have a firm foundation for a happy
long-term relationship.
- Companionship. Your journey through life is easier, more fun
and more meaningful if you have a loving partner. Good companions
are both independent and interdependent.
- Respect. Everyone has a deep need to be respected—especially at
home. Couples who are intentional about showing appreciation and
gratitude strengthen their bonds.
- Focus on your partner's strengths. As the song says,
"Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative." If this were
your one guiding principle, it would produce marital harmony and
bliss.
- Trust. It is a cornerstone of all successful relationships.
Trust ensures that you can be vulnerable with each other, and this
creates intimacy.
- Optimism. The most successful people in business, life and love
share optimism as a core trait. Optimists can handle any
challenges.
- Commitment. Wedding vows—as well as military oaths—are sacred
promises to be true to your partner or country. Commitment is the
glue that bonds couples together.
The 20 love stories are powerful, inspiring and funny.
- "Hi Jane! It's me, Tarzan!" were the first words POW Smitty
Harris said, on a trans-Pacific phone call to his wife, Louise, in
their first conversation after eight years apart. Smitty's
exclamation reconnected them instantly. Pet names are "in jokes"
through which couples share a humorous lightness and deep
connection.
- Mo Baker was obsessed with
flying since he was a boy, and continued after he returned home,
after being shot down, captured, and enduring more than five years
as a POW. His wife, Honey, understands and accepts his affection
for his planes. "Mo was fanatical about flying. I figured I could
accept him having a mistress—as long as she was made of metal and
weighed 50,000 pounds!"
- Do you believe in Fate? Ralph and Bobbi
Gaither do. "I wore a POW/MIA bracelet with Ralph's name on
it for several years before we met. When we finally did meet it was
on a blind date! I had no idea it would be him."
Ellis co-authored "Captured by Love" with love-expert
Greg Godek, author of "1001 Ways to
be Romantic." Godek says, "Interviewing and getting to know our 20
couples was an awe-inspiring experience."
The married lives of these couples mirror the insights from the
longest in-depth longitudinal study on human life ever conducted
(the Harvard Study of Adult Development, begun in 1938).
(https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/). You may have seen
headlines like, "Scientists Discover that Close Relationships are
the Number 1 Factor in Longevity & Happiness." In The Atlantic
magazine, one researcher reports, "The study has brought us to a
simple and profound conclusion: Good relationships lead to health
and happiness."
The 20 couples in this book knew this long ago.
Kirkus Reviews
"...these stories are impressive examples of resilience, and an
important record of sacrifice, survival, and the redemptive power
of love."
Lee Ellis, Colonel, USAF (Ret)
was among the youngest captives at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" POW
camp, and was single at the time. Upon his return he searched for a
year before he found the love of his life. Through his firm Leading
with Honor Lee speaks and consults on leadership, and helped
develop a personality assessment that is used worldwide. He has
authored books that help people understand themselves and
appreciate others' differences.
Greg Godek is a relationship
expert, and author of 17 books, including the #1 bestseller "1001
Ways to be Romantic." He advised Oprah's audience, and
taught a romance class on "The Today Show."
Authors and couples available for interviews.
Contact
Stormie Knight
678-455-9514 Ext. 1
379250@email4pr.com
https://www.powromance.com/public-relations/
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SOURCE Lee Ellis