Valentines and happy times: A heartwarming reflection
The first ever recorded Valentine’s Day was back in 496 AD, and couples ever since have dedicated the 14th of February to celebrating their love for one another. This year, we asked our residents across all of our wonderful UK care homes what their greatest romantic memories were and what they think about how relationships have developed over time. Some of their responses and stories pulled on every last one of our heart strings!
One of the first questions we tend to ask couples is ‘How did you meet?’ and Castleford Lodge Care Home in West Yorkshire is the home of childhood sweethearts. Margaret (aged 82) met the love of her life, David, back in their school days and they have been married for an incredible 61 years – Margaret told us “Our love is forever”.
Many residents have the most beautiful memories with their partners that will last a lifetime. Peter at Eckington Court in Sheffield has been married to his wife Sheila for 33 years and their favourite memories together are in Goathland, North Yorkshire, where they would hop aboard the steam train and take in the scenery.
Meanwhile, at Green Park Nursing Home in Warrington, resident Denys has been with wife Fran for an amazing 56 years. One of their most magnificent memories was on their holiday to France when Denys proposed to Fran on top of a mountain – now that’s setting the heights for romance!
In terms of ways that residents celebrate their special moments with their loved ones, Bruce at Chatsworth Lodge Care Home has always enjoyed going out for meals with his wife Jackie. Bruce also told us: “Chatsworth Lodge are helping me plan a Valentine’s meal for me and Jackie to enjoy. I’m really excited for it”.
Although we may not all go out for dinner on Valentine’s Day, many of us do love to receive a card or some flowers. Dorothy, who lives at Archers Park Care Home in Sunderland, has been married to her husband Denny since 1963; Denny told us that the lovely pair first wrote each other Valentine’s cards back in 1961 and that they have exchanged them every year since then!
Maureen and Freddy are both residents at Ashlea Mews Care Home in South Shields and have been married for 64 years – they even got married on Freddy’s birthday! Reflecting on their anniversaries, Freddy holds fond memories of their silver anniversary when they went on holiday to Austria. He said: “I made sure to try the local dishes, while Maureen stuck to fish and chips! That’s my Maureen though, she loves her fish and chips”
We asked some ladies and gentleman their opinions on how chivalry has changed, and Sylvia at Eaton Court Nursing Home in Grimsby was quick to respond that it sure has changed! She said that gentlemen should always pull a lady’s chair out for her and open doors.
Dennis at Lansbury Court in Sunderland agreed with Sylvia, he said: “I would always open doors for the ladies and make sure they walked on the inside of the path, I don’t think many men do this nowadays!”
Dennis also added “I only ever bought one lady a Valentine’s card, and that was my June”
Finally, reflecting on her one true love, Shirley at Cherry Trees Care Home said that “I look at my husband’s picture every day when I wake up and go to sleep and he continues to make me smile. He’ll make me smile forever”
Maybe that’s what love is all about after all, finding someone who’ll make you smile forever…
On the topic of love, if you’re interested in starting a career that you’ll absolutely adore then why not take a look at our current vacancies here and join one of our wonderful award-winning care homes. Not only do our homes plan incredible Valentine’s meals and activities, they create special memories for residents all year long! Take a look for yourself at our recent stories here.
