For 70 years, he went to the opera with his wife. Not because he loved opera, but because he loved her

Often, the key to a long-term relationship develops in small traditions and routines that become part of the couple’s rhythm. Clinical psychologist Sabrina Romanoff, who specializes in relationship dynamics, told Very Well Mind that routines offer a sense of structure and stability in relationships, helping couples stay grounded and consistent. For Sam and Ellen Sporn, part of that routine was to go to the opera. It began in the early days of their relationship and continued for over seven decades. But when Sam lost his eyesight, their ritual changed, but only in form. A recent TikTok by their granddaughter, Samy Cordero (@thatgirlfrombroadcity), brought their story into public view.

The text overlay reads, "My 94-year-old grandpa can’t go to the opera anymore. So when my grandma goes, he listens to the whole opera at home so he can talk to her about it when she gets back." It ends with Sam’s own words, "I don’t really love the opera, but I love seeing her talk about what she loves." Sam and Ellen used to attend performances in person at the Metropolitan Opera and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. For Ellen, opera was a lifelong passion — she grew up surrounded by music and often went to shows with her parents. Later, she brought Sam into that world. "Ellen had grown up loving music and playing the piano. We were [opera] members way, way back, when we first moved back into Park Slope. We used to go very often and took great joy in it," Sam told People.

After each performance, they would sit together and talk through everything; it was a way of reflecting, learning, and spending time together. But in 2020, Sam experienced several eye strokes that caused permanent vision loss. He could no longer read supertitles or navigate crowded venues. While he had to stop attending in person, he didn’t stop participating. Now, when Ellen heads to the theater, Sam listens to the broadcast from home on WQXR. They still discuss the performance when she returns. "I feel terribly enthused because, not only did she see it, but she heard it and she enjoyed the pageantry and the music and the ambience, all of these things. And that she still is able to at all… I love that." he said. When asked what love means to him, Sam replied, "Total devotion."

Codero said she’s always admired the way her grandparents support each other. "My grandparents have always been partners. They take care of each other and they have each other's backs constantly. This is the kind of relationship I will always aspire to have," she said. Many who came across the couple’s story online found themselves deeply moved. @1xtimetraveller wrote, "I get this. I don't really like concerts, but I'll totally listen to the album if my partner is going to a concert, so they can tell me about it." @river_running commented, "My grandmother and I did this when she could no longer comfortably sit in a theater seat for several hours. I went to the Met Live in HD broadcasts, she listened on the radio, and we compared notes." @tiffanibrooks89 said, "Oh my goodness, this is the sweetest thing ever. He’s got the secret to a long marriage."

You can follow Samy Cordero (@thatgirlfrombroadcity) on TikTok for more vlog-style content.