Beware the blind date, you never know what may get started

In 1985, I had just experienced a painful relationship break up. I decided that the next relationship would one that fit my values. I made a list of what I wanted in a partner and in a relationship, putting this list in a drawer and at the back of my mind.

A few weeks later, a friend told me of an acquaintance, named Ely, who had also had a recent painful relationship breakup. So it happened, I went on a blind date. Both of us were determined that we were never going to get married again. Later, when I found my list of requirements for a partner, I discovered that Ely fit almost all criteria and more! Over time our relationship deepened and in 1989, marriage was the logical outcome.

Over the years we have learned much about one another and strengthened our relationship. In 2000, we decided that we wanted to develop our spiritual and philosophical areas of life. It was during that year that Ely went to a chiropractic seminar in Sydney led by Dr John Demartini. When he returned he was so excited that he was bouncing!

A few weeks later we were flying to Sydney for Dr Demartini’s Breakthrough Experience. This program had a profound effect on both our lives. We both became qualified facilitators of the Breakthrough Program. We continued to use this knowledge for ourselves and with clients. We saw ourselves continuing to work in our professions of chiropractic and medicine as well as running workshops and other programs.

In January 2009, we played hooky from a conference in Las Vegas and went skiing. On the second last day, Ely commented that, “It would be great to have 2 more weeks in beautiful Brian Head, Utah”. On the next run down the ski slopes, I fell and broke my hip. We had our extra 2 weeks in Utah but not quite how we had envisioned. It’s best not to change one’s plans, but everything happens for a reason.

This event started us thinking about our priorities. We realised that our relationship was highest on our list of values and that we wanted to explore more of life and the world than we could within our professions.

In 2012, after selling our house and cars, and putting all our belongings in storage (with our family ready to certify us), we headed off around the world for 7 months. Towards the end of our journey while cruising down the Danube River we pondered our purpose for the next phase of our lives. We decided that travelling together and sharing our knowledge with others in our age group was where we wanted to go.

Here we are at the end of 2013. Ely has been retired from Chiropractic for 2 years. I am working as a doctor a few hours per week with plenty of time off to travel. We have finished our first book ” Travel Secrets For Seniors”. Our website is nearly ready and we are preparing to connect with as many seniors as we can through blogs, Facebook, webinars, podcasts and seminars.

We feel inspired to present both tips and programs to others, so that they may develop the excitement, purpose and fulfillment that we experience and plan to continue for the rest of our lives.

Amazingly, the first date may have been “blind”, but 28 years later we have a clear vision.

– Adele

Have you ever been on a blind date? How did it go?  

Ely and Adele are the authors of Travel Secrets for Seniors, coming soon!

Whether you are taking a cruise, hiking in the Rockies, touring the Vatican, or snorkelling in the Galapagos, for many seniors, travel can be stressful instead of fun. In this book, Ely and Adele show you the keys to avoiding the pitfalls so you may have a great travel experience, wherever you go. Their website will be live shortly and you will be available to purchase the book there.