RESIDENTS at a Bromsgrove care home have been sharing their secrets to a long and happy marriage ahead of Valentine’s Day.
The revelations for two of Chandler Court’s couples were part of the romantic celebrations at the home.
Staff decorated the lounge with balloons and candles and the special event included music, dancing, and a glass or two of prosecco.
Everyone attending the event received either chocolates or a red rose.
As part of the festivities, the team encouraged the couples to reminisce about their early days together.
John and June
June, 92, and her 89-year-old husband John talked about their first date when John offered to take June out for ‘a posh meal’. Although, he admitted, he ‘could not afford it – and had been spoiling her ever since’.
During the uncertainty of the Second World War, the pair had to move around regularly but they leant on one another for support and to stay strong.
June and John have shared 53 years of marriage together and their three pieces of advice for couples today are to stay true to one another, keep one another happy and always be honest.
Patricia and Anthony
It was love at first sight for 89-year-old Patricia Allenby and her husband Anthony, aged 91, when the pair met at a Royal Air Force nurses’ dance at thee RAF station in Tangmere. The pair said they ‘fell head over heels with one another’.
Not wanting to be apart, the couple went on to marry three months later.
They shared their secret to a long and happy marriage with theirs now standing at 51 years. They agreed it was best to ‘accept one another for who they are, always laugh together and trust one another’.
Vongai Mushinga, Chandler Court’s home manager, said: “We could all learn a thing or two from the couples at Chandler Court and their happy marriages, so we thought Valentine’s Day was the perfect opportunity to celebrate their long marriages and share their pearls of wisdom.
“Many of the residents have also been reminiscing and sharing memories of their own past loves – it was lovely to hear stories from everyone’s younger years.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to all the residents for their wise words – and a very happy Valentine’s Day to these incredible couples.”
For more on Chandler Court, email Rosalind Lockley at [email protected] or call her on 01527 907849 or visit careuk.com/chandler-court – the home’s website.
