Fall in Love for Life: Inspiration from a 73-Year Marriage

by Barbara "Cutie" Cooper, Chinta Cooper (With), Kim Cooper (With)

In a world of 72-day celebrity marriages, a 73-year marriage is nearly unimaginable. Against all odds, Cutie and Harry Cooper persevered through seven decades of marriage, enjoying triumphant milestones and enduring devastating losses, all while keeping their sense of humor and connection intact. Here, Cutie chronicles their story and extracts time-tested advice on how to know if you've met "the one," the art of fighting fair, and everything else that goes into staying blissfully bonded. With vintage photos charting their relationship from newlyweds to nonagenarians, this nostalgic and romantic gift book is a practical resource for anyone who dreams of falling in love for life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Relationships, Romance, Biography

208 pages, Hardcover

First published December 21, 2012

About the author

Cutie Cooper was happily married to her husband, Harry, for 73 years before he passed away in 2010. Her story has appeared in numerous newspapers, radio stories, and television programs. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one was not for me.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Married seventy-three years, Cutie Cooper tells her life story with the writing help of her two granddaughters. Each short chapter describes her view of life on a topic such as money, falling in love, and growing old. At the end of each chapter, Cutie's Counsel suggests several ideas to follow on that topic such as express gratitude for good fortune. Full of great old fashioned advice. Cutie maintains a blog -- Ask Grandma Anything -- which reminds me of Anne Landers/Dear Abbey. A sweet story.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and inspiring book of love, life and lessons. A true love story of two kids who grew old together and learn about life and marriage along the way. This book is a refreshing look into the lives of real life love and the joys, tests, hardships that comes with it. Wonderful story and great advice!

[Heather Forensky · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandparents have been together for 70 years. My parents for just 30 so far. But while I am still "newly" married to a man I was dating for 7 years before I tied the knot with him, I feel as if I often fail at some parts of married or dating life that I know I shouldn't have to. I have a lot of problems and work on stress management, but I know that I have a good book with coaching advice and my husband to encourage me to be better every step of the way.

I wish one day, I could be like Betty and Harry or my grandparents, married for so long that nothing changes in what you see between them. I just know I'm lucky to wake up every morning and still see my husband sleeping beside me those quiet mornings. But for now, it's just giving it all I got.

[Alice Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet book--pretty much what I expected. You can't discount the advice from a woman who was happily married for 73 years! While there was nothing really new, it was worth the read to be reminded to put what I know into practice--even though I am not married. Cutie would have been an interesting person to know. No wonder her husband "spoiled" her. Definitely worth a read.

[Ann Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this book on Kindle for a V day gift for myself, and husband a few years ago. I started and stopped several times, and just recently managed to finish it. We read it together. Advice is sweet and timely.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so sweet, it's impossible not to smile from ear to ear while reading it. Barbara is a gem. Great, simple, feel-good advice.

[Mrs E. Swinburne]

Not what I was expecting from the tittle but it was a good red

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful advice from a cute, optimistic grandma. Makes me wish I had known her myself.

[Renea S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet little book. I just wish it had more personal stories.

[Kim Burnside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book. I really enjoyed reading it.

[Cher 'N Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars - It was alright, an average book. Not great, but certainly not bad.

You cannot help but admire "Cutie", the author, and the 73 year long marriage she had with "Pop Pop". In this day and time, a long and happy run such as theirs is a truly wonderful and rare thing to behold.

Sadly though, this book fell flat for me. It is a book which could be described as part memoir and part relationship advice, how-to guide. The couple led a simple and honest life which makes the memoir aspect a little boring, and the advice is comprised of cliché snippets of what is solid, but well known guidance. I personally believe that so many marriages fail because people choose to not do what they need to do to keep their relationship strong, not because they don't know how to keep it strong. That belief was reinforced by seeing her words of common sense being given as guidelines. Each chapter had bullet points marked at the end, which gave the book a dry, textbook feel and took away from the charm factor.

What was most interesting to me were the generational differences being explored (but not very deeply) and snippets of how things were following the depression and in the 40's and 50's. Things like her husband's boss telling him he would get about a 20% raise once he was married (in the late 30's) - I enjoyed those little windows being opened into another time where things were so radically different than they are today. The pictures that the author shares of her and her sweetheart through the decades were also sweet additions.

The author comes across as a very kind and sweet lady, but honestly, the "inspiration" that so many other reviewers found, I did not. While I certainly respect her and her impressive long-run marriage, the book was a disappointment overall due to the slowness and common sense, textbook style guidelines. The couple's story is charming, but it is covered in the intro and on their blog. The charm does not carry over into the rest of the book which is a bit dry and has a lecture feel overall. I would recommend trying to borrow it or check it out from the library if interested.

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Favorite Quote: When your life is nearly over, you will regret it if you look back and recall too many nights when you made excuses instead of making love.

First Sentence: When I met Harry, in 1937, I was a very sophisticated twenty-year-old girl who thought I knew it all and really knew nothing.

[Gabbie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara's advice seems applicable to many people. There's a reason she's gotten famous for giving people advice. She does it well. This story is sweet and touching. Although a 73-year marriage may seem like a fairy tale, she touches on real problems (ones that existd in her own relationship) and a acknowledges that marriage--or in a broader sense, relationships--are work. You have to be dedicated to being a good partner and work through those challenging situations and times that are inevitable. What really resonated with me was Barbara's tenacious optimism and positivity. I already have two people in mind that I want to buy this book for--one is a newly engaged person and the other is someone who has recently lost their spouse. As a person who is in a relatively new relationship, I also found Barbara's advice and wisdom helpful. I feel that people of all ages (whether gay, straight, bi, etc) would find things in this book that they could relate to and apply to their relationships. I see myself returning to this book again and again in the future to remind me what it takes to have a happy, lasting relationship and to live life to the fullest.

[Cathy Holland Frueh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! They don't call her "Cutie" for nothing! What a sweet book! I really delighted in reading her life story of her 73 year marriage to Harry. I laughed, I cried, I was sad, I pondered. I took to heart her advice on raising children, then teens, then "letting go" of your adult children. I loved her continued outlook on life, I mean, she's 98 yrs young! 'If you can count your blessings, that's a good activity. I'd much rather focus on the sweet than the sour stuff. If it's a beautiful day and the breeze is ruffling my hair, that's a great feeling. I can walk down the street without limping, and that's marvelous. I look into the mirror and ask, "Is that old lady really me?" Then I reply, "Barbara Cooper, that's you, and you are almost 100 years old. You are in good health. Your family that you have left, you love. Your family that are gone are in God's hands. You'd better be happy with what you've got!" Well, I have no complaints. Thank you, God.'" And she has an advice blog. And a Facebook. What a hoot! I like relational books, and this was a good one.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming book written by a 93 year old woman(with the help of two of her granddaughters). In it, Barbara "Cutie" Cooper shares her advice and wisdom on love and marriage. Full of common sense and anecdotes from her 73 year marriage, the book reads like a long conversation with a beloved grandmother. Apparently, this book in an extension of a blog (The OGs) written by Cutie and her (late) husband, Harry, with the help of their granddaughters. I haven't checked out the blog yet, but apparently it (and Cutie's Facebook page!) have an element of advice column to it. A fun read that is full of humor, great insight and some great advice. 4 stars - I really liked it.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Due to her long marriage, Cutie Cooper was often asked for relationship advice. This is part autobiography and part advice book. Cutie and her husband Harry raised a family and owned a business together. Their marriage was not perfect (which is impossible since people are not perfect) but had it's problems and successes. They dealt with tragedy and always found a way to get through everything together. There are no earth shattering revelations in this book, just a simple love story with some common sense advice.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbara "Cutie" Cooper's advice actually stands the test of time. What was relevant to marriage back then is still totally relevant for current marriages. Even when things weren't always going so well the thought of giving it all up just wasn't something they considered. Their's was a love that really will never die and she definitely recounted her life with inspiration for us all. If you take nothing else from this story, take the fact that no matter what was thrown her way in her in her 93 years she is still living, and enjoying, life to the fullest!

[Ashley Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a treat to read! "Cutie" shared advice about marriage that seemed so sensible and simple, yet in our crazy world today, is rarely seen! She portrays how beautiful marriage is meant to be and how when two people keep their eyes on each other in the midst of this whirlwind we call life, nothing could pull them apart. I loved every second of reading this book and appreciate her wisdom. I think whether a person was married or not, they could still truly benefit from this read. It's become one of my true, heartfelt favorites!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book of advice and wisdom by a 90 something year old lady who was married for 73 years to her sweetheart. I enjoyed a the snippets of her life history, (though I wish there was a bit more about her children and motherhood), appreciated and valued her marriage advice, and loved her humor of her old age. I hope I am as happy, fulfilled, and with it is as she is if I make it past 90! I also really liked the family photographs in the book.

[Jennifer]

This was a "quick read" for me. I have been trying to get through a stack of books and was interested in this sweet handbook of life experience. I consider this a thoughtful and straightforward manual of wisdom for a new (or older) couple. The book is a great reminder that life and relationships are precious and should be handled with care. I appreciated the gratitude and love which were echoed through each page. I love Cutie's great advice for wisely embracing each stage in life.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mainly picked this up because I love looking at old photos! Readers get to see Barbara and her husband, Harry, when they were newlyweds at 20 and 25, and then in their golden years. Barbara shares her insight on how to make a good marriage last and other wise tidbits throughout the book. The Coopers were married until Harry died in 2010. Barbara continues to delight fans on the website her granddaughters helped create at www.the-ogs.com.

[Dundee Library]

I mainly picked this up because I love looking at old photos! Readers get to see Barbara and her husband, Harry, when they were newlyweds at 20 and 25, and then in their golden years. Barbara shares her insight on how to make a good marriage last and other wise tidbits throughout the book. The Coopers were married until Harry died in 2010. Barbara continues to delight fans on the website her granddaughters helped create at www.the-ogs.com.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cutie offers a delightful look into a traditional marriage commenced during the 1930s. Her attitude is optimistic with realism thrown into the journey.
Awareness of different times today is not left out and much of her advice, even though she admits to being "square" many times, is relevant today. She is open to new lifestyles without judgment while graciously stating her own views without apologizing for them.

[Nancy Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just about the sweetest love and life manual I've ever had the privilege to read. Written by a 93-year-old woman (with her granddaughters' help) she transforms her online blog into an adorable book. How someone married in 1937 can be relevant today is astonishing! How someone can still be madly in love with her husband after 73 years of marriage tells you how strong and resilient she must be.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this to anyone that is newly wed, engaged, or just in love. It is truly inspiring. (They definitely named this one appropriately!) I fell in love with this couple and couldn't put this little gem down once I started it - which says a lot for me, as I am not an avid reader by any stretch of the word.
If this book does not make your heart yearn for simpler times and one true love to take you into your golden years - then I feel sad for you. Bah humbug!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Cutie's personal remembrances and stories, but I think she should've stuck to the memoir side of the book rather than also delve into giving advice and counsel. I felt like it took away from her experiences. She is an admirable person, and her humility and straightforwardness was refreshing and enjoyable. Hers seems to have been a wonderful marriage worth striving for!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think you can't learn anything from a 90-year-old? Au contrare! Cutie tells it like she sees it, good, bad, and not-so-attractive AND stayed married to her sweetheart for 73 years! I didn't even make half that. However, I've begun again so there's hope--I just have to live a really, really long time.

[Skyqueen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happened to be reading Steve Harvey's Straight Talk No Chaser at the same time. They are parallel in approach and advise. The real difference is that she is 30-40 years older than him so has some further perspective on aging and loss. She has some memorial quips. Inspiring.

[Christina, Join Me on Storygraph! · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a good deal. "Cutie" has great advice and reminders for all of us on living and loving. she hasn't lived a remarkable life, which makes her thoughts so much more relevant...she lived her life just like I'm doing and you're doing and our great grandchildren will do too.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have enjoyed this book far more as a memoir rather than an advice book. The advice is all perfectly good but it just wasn't very interesting and the format interrupted the flow of Cooper's stories about her life.