Ella Darby is just days away from turning 105 — an age she says she “never thought about” hitting. But looking back on all she’s packed into those decades, she says she feels “blessed.” “I just went with the flow, year by year. … I really don’t hurt at all. I am so lucky,” she tells TODAY.com. “What a wonderful life I’ve had.” Darby of Murrieta, California, is a World War II veteran who recently went viral when she shared her story with creator Kara Lewis on Instagram. Ella Darby during her time in the Navy. Courtesy Steve Bovee She told Lewis that she joined the Navy at 23 years old in 1943. The day she left for bootcamp, she met the woman who became her best friend for 81 years. She passed away in 2025. “She was a wonderful friend,” Darby says. The centenarian also met her husband, whom she was married to for 60 years, while she was enlisted and went on to have three children. Her family now includes 25 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. While in the Navy, she worked as a bookkeeper in a bakery and was the only woman in her office. Afterward, she became a school bus driver. “The kids could be naughty, or they could be nice,” she joked to Lewis. These days, Darby lives with her daughter and son-in-law, Steve Bovee. She enjoys going out to eat, dancing and riding in the car, he tells TODAY.com. Here are the viral sensation’s simple tips for a long, happy life. Stay connected with loved ones A mainstay in Darby’s daily routine is calling her family, her son-in-law says. She can’t write as well anymore, so “she loves to call all her nephews and nieces and relatives, and she keeps in touch with them pretty well,” he adds. Research shows that saying connected with people and maintaining high-quality relationships can help people live longer and feel healthier, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ella and her family at her 100th birthday party. Courtesy Steve Bovee Keep your brain active Despite her age, Darby is “sharp as a tack,” her son-in-law says. And it’s no coincidence that she devotes time every day to playing challenging iPad puzzle games and cards. “She’s always learning new card games … and she’ll beat us half the time,” Bovee explains as his mom-in-law chuckles. Certain types of online games have been linked to decreased dementia risk, especially those that require the brain to process information quickly, TODAY.com previously reported. Start your day with a healthy breakfast Asked what an average day looks like for her, Darby says she always has breakfast, thanks to her son-in-law. “Steve always has it ready for me,” she says. Her favorite breakfast foods include shredded wheat, oatmeal and yogurt. Although, occasionally she treats herself to extra crispy hash browns with lots of ketchup and sour cream. Darby lives with her daughter and son-in-law. Courtesy Steve Bovee Oatmeal is considered one of the healthiest breakfasts you can eat, TODAY.com reported, thanks to its high fiber content and the nutritious toppings you can add, such as seeds, fruit and nuts. Shredded wheat is also high in fiber, and yogurt is high in protein and probiotics. Have hobbies One of the hobbies Darby has stuck with all these years is collecting teddy bears. She also loves listening to a wide range of music and dancing. Hobbies have been shown to improve mental well-being and reduce stress, which can have a host of physical benefits, like lower chronic disease risk. She also goes to church every week and used to teach Sunday school. “I just feel closer to the Lord and have a wonderful feeling when I’m there,” Darby says. Keep your space tidy The 104-year-old loves her room and takes care of her space by herself, save for some assistance with vacuuming. “She dusts everything and keeps up with it,” Bovee says. Having a clean space has mental health benefits, such as improved mood, sleep and overall well-being. Eat lots of peanut butter Darby’s absolute favorite food is peanut butter, especially Skippy. She eats it out of the jar with a spoon. Ella Darby with her custom teddy bear from Skippy. Courtesy Steve Bovee Her viral video established her reputation as a PB lover and led Skippy to sponsor her upcoming hip-hop themed 105th birthday party. The company also donated over 1,200 jars to Circle of Ministries Food Pantry in her name, in addition to a teddy bear and favors for the party. Darby says she can’t dance for long periods anymore, but she plants to hit the floor at her shindig. “I’ll get up there and twirl around!” she says. This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY: Lindsey Vonn Answers Whether She’s ‘Entertaining’ A Skiing Comeback After Olympics Crash Astronauts Dedicate Moon Crater to Commander’s Late Wife: ‘Loved to the Moon and Back’ If You Walk Every Day, Here Are the 2 Other Things You Should Be Doing, Too ...read more read less