Love knows no boundaries, and at Maplewood Senior Living, it continues to flourish in the lives of our residents. Whether couples have shared a lifetime together and now call our community home, one partner resides here while the other visits, or they found love right here within our walls, these stories are a testament to the enduring power of connection. In this blog, we celebrate the resident couples who inspire us daily, proving that love can deepen, adapt, and even begin anew at every stage of life.
David and Kathleen’s story began in the stands of a basketball game, where a chance meeting sparked an immediate connection. Kathleen recalls it as “like at first sight,” and their bond quickly deepened. Determined to nurture their relationship despite the distance between them, the couple began writing letters to each other often—sometimes daily. Their dedication to staying connected didn’t stop there. Each weekend, they would drive nearly 100 miles to see each other, sharing laughter, dreams, and a growing love that would stand the test of time.
After eight months of long-distance courtship, David proposed, and Kathleen joyfully accepted. They married on August 7, 1965, and built a beautiful life together with four children and seven grandchildren. This August, David and Kathleen will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, a milestone that reflects a lifetime of love, partnership, and shared memories.
Bobbi and Rich met at work, where Rich took on the role of mentoring Bobbi. What started as a professional relationship quickly blossomed into something more. Their first date, a simple dinner and a walk in the city, revealed a connection that felt natural and effortless. Over the next four years, they built a deep bond, leading to marriage and the joy of welcoming their first child after years of trying.
As time passed, life presented challenges. Rich’s health began to decline, and Bobbi became his devoted caregiver. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to move Rich into a memory care community.
Though their relationship evolved, their love remained steadfast. Bobbi visits him regularly, often bringing their dog, Ollie, and they continue to celebrate family milestones together.
Their love story, though different now, is marked by tenderness and resilience. Bobbi cherishes the quiet moments they share—holding hands, watching TV together, and simply being present. “Our love is different now,” she says, “but it’s just as deep.”
Kathy and Jack’s romance blossomed in Maplewood’s dining room, where they initially sat with the same group of friends for months. They had a good time with this group of friends, but something was pulling these two together. Their relationship developed naturally, with their friend “L.” playing matchmaker by subtly giving them alone time during evening movies. When asked about their first date, they couldn’t pinpoint a specific date. However, they remember their first kiss similarly, “We both recall something hilarious happened, we kissed and then we burst out laughing. We don’t remember exactly what it was, but it made that moment extra special.” Kathy was drawn to Jack’s gentle and considerate nature. At the same time, Jack playfully declared Kathy “the pick of the litter,” showcasing the humor that became a cornerstone of their relationship.
The couple brings joy to fellow residents, even accidentally wearing matching sweaters one day, much to everyone’s amusement. Both appreciate how their families have embraced their relationship, with their children being supportive of their union. Though neither expected to find love in assisted living—with Kathy exclaiming, “I’m 90, for Pete’s sake!”—they now can’t image being with anyone else, with both agreeing this relationship is “for life.”
Rita and Bob’s love story began unexpectedly at a government contract plant, where Bob became Rita’s boss. Their first encounter was awkward – Bob’s knees blocked her desk drawer, and she had to keep asking him to move. Over time, they grew closer, and after their first date, when Bob arrived late and met her parents covered in grease from a car breakdown, Rita realized Bob was the one. Bob knew immediately, telling his best friend he was going to marry her.
By October, Bob proposed on her birthday, and they married soon after. Over the years, they built a life full of cherished memories, including one funny moment when Rita accidentally bumped a car and didn’t confess until she was in labor with their child.
Now, after 61 years of marriage, Bob is in memory care. Rita visits him daily, finding joy in the moments they share. Though his memory has faded, he occasionally calls her by her nickname, reminding her of their deep bond. Rita focuses on the present, organizing family visits and playing bingo with Bob, and their love endures, a testament to patience and the joy of shared moments.
Debbie and Richard’s love story began in college, where she lived on the second floor and he on the first. Their paths truly crossed six weeks into the semester when Richard, struggling to catch up in a new class, was reluctantly convinced by a friend to go swimming. Among the group joining that morning was Debbie. After their swim, they stopped for warm drinks – Richard ordered tea, but Debbie chose coffee. He remembers thinking, “She’s mature.”
Their friendship grew quickly into romance. Their first date was a dorm dance party where they never left each other’s side. At the night’s end, Richard hesitated before asking if she wanted him to walk her upstairs. She declined, later teasing that he should have been more assertive.
Three months and one day later, they became a couple. “She was the one,” Richard said, “she laughed at all my jokes.”
Their love carried them through five years of dating into a lifetime together, raising three children and filling their home with laughter and pets. Richard believes honesty and humor are the keys to a successful marriage. Their story is beautifully captured in the words of Bruce Springsteen’s song If I Should Fall Behind: “I’ll wait for you, and if I should fall behind, wait for me.”
On February 22nd, Joan and Joe will celebrate 68 years of marriage – a testament to a love that has endured life’s joys and sorrows. Their journey began in high school when Joan, a junior cheerleader, invited Joe, a tall and handsome senior football player, to a party. That moment sparked a lifelong bond.
Two years after Joan graduated, they married and built a family of seven children, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Despite heartbreak, including the loss of their eldest son, their love never wavered. They found joy in dancing, winning “Twist” contests, and later sharing tender moments on the dance floor even as Joan’s dementia progressed.
Retirement took them to Florida for 24 years, but as Joan’s health declined, Joe became her devoted caregiver before moving to a Maplewood community. Though memories faded, their love remains strong – expressed in laughter, hand-holding, and simply hearing each other’s voices.
Joan’s secret to a lasting marriage: “When you are in love, you are in heaven.” Joe’s: “Happy wife, happy life.” After 68 years, their love is as steadfast as ever, a beautiful story that began with a simple invitation and continues to shine.
Ray, a wedding photographer, never imagined that the woman he would fall in love with would appear before him at a wedding he was photographing. Juleen, a caterer on a sabbatical from social work, caught his eye that day. Their first date on July 11, 1986, was simple – just a glass of wine and easy conversation – but it sparked a connection. They discovered that their fathers shared birthdays a day apart, which later became a symbol of their bond. Ray proposed at midnight, right between those two birthdays, and they married one year later.
Their love grew quickly, surprising their families, and their favorite memories were filled with adventures, like a trip to Paris in 1998. But as time passed, Juleen was diagnosed with dementia after an accident, and their world shifted. Ray became her advocate, visiting her twice a day for two years. Despite the challenges, he has learned to cherish the small moments – the smiles and brief flashes of recognition – that reminded him of the deep love they still share. Through it all, Ray’s love for Juleen remains, unwavering and enduring.
Chuck and Linda’s love story didn’t begin in the usual way. When asked how they met, they always smiled and answered in unison, “In an elevator.”
Chuck, the son of a Greek immigrant, grew up in New York City, while Linda’s roots traced back to Pittsburgh, where her grandfather had immigrated from Austria. Fate brought Linda to New York, where she worked as an assistant advertising manager for a company that specialized in engagement rings. On her first week, she stepped into the building’s slow, creaky elevator. Across from her stood a handsome stranger. Their eyes locked, and for a few electrifying moments, the world around them faded. As the doors opened, she hurried out, hoping she’d never see him again, thinking how embarrassing to have reacted so intensely to a stranger!
Minutes later, Linda walked into her office for a scheduled appointment, only to find the same man from the elevator seated across from her desk. His name was Chuck, the sales agent she was supposed to meet. Midway through his presentation, he paused. “Tell me if I’m wrong,” he said, “but I think you feel what I feel. May I take you out?” Linda hesitated, then replied, “I have a rule not to date colleagues.” Chuck thought for a moment, then smiled, saying, “What if I gave up this account?” It took Linda only seconds to say, “In that case, I’d love to.” Their first date was a night on Broadway, watching Pippin, and from that moment on, they never looked back. Two years later, they were married.
Now, fifty-one years, two children, and four grandchildren later, their love remains as strong as ever. As they settle into their new home at Maplewood, they embrace this next chapter with the same spirit that brought them together – believing that love, joy, and connection can make all the difference.
These stories remind us that love knows no boundaries—it adapts, deepens, and even begins anew. At Maplewood Senior Living, we are honored to provide an environment where love can flourish. We nurture a sense of connection and well-being, fostering a community where residents can share meals, memories, and meaningful relationships. Because at Maplewood, love truly lives here, supporting happiness and vitality at every stage of life.
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