Love Story for the Ages
As Valentine's Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on the greatest love story I know — the story of my parents. They have been married since 1959 and, in 2025, they are still happily together, side by side. Their love is not just an emotion; it is a testament to commitment, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion.
They met under fairly ordinary circumstances, but their love turned it into something extraordinary.
The Beginning of Forever
My father was an immigrant from Canada, moving from a tiny town in northern Saskatchewan to Los Angeles when he was just 15 years old. His father was ill, and the family relocated in search of medical care. Life was not easy, but my dad took on responsibilities early, working hard to support his family while finishing high school.
My mother, on the other hand, had grown up in Oklahoma City, raised by a single, hardworking mother. She was shy and soft-spoken, a stark contrast to my father’s spirited and lively family, particularly his strong-willed and gregarious mother, who we all lovingly called “Granni.” But my father took after his own dad—a quiet, thoughtful, and deliberate man.
Their story begins on an unexpected blind double date. My dad had been set up with someone else, and they had already picked up his date when they stopped to collect his friend’s date — who happened to be my mother. The moment he saw her, he leaned over to his friend and matter-of-factly stated, “This one is my date.” And just like that, they swapped partners, and a decades-long love affair began.
A Lifetime of Love
Today, in their mid-eighties, my parents are still an inseparable pair. They eat a late brunch together every day, hold hands on walks, and share quiet conversations in the evenings. I often find them chatting about the little things that make up life, stealing a kiss, or simply enjoying the comfort of each other's presence.
My father still opens the car door for my mother, extends a hand to help her in, and ensures she is settled before closing the door gently. These small gestures — often overlooked in today’s fast-paced world — are the foundation of a love that has lasted more than six decades.
Their love has endured trials, joys, grief, and triumphs, but through it all, they have stood together, choosing each other every single day. The strength of their bond has extended far beyond their marriage, blessing six children, eighteen grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Love That Lasts a Lifetime
At BeeHive Homes, we believe that love should continue to thrive, even as couples enter their later years. Our homes are designed to provide a warm, comfortable environment where couples can live together, share meals, and continue writing their love story. Whether it’s a place for yourself, a parent, an aunt or uncle, or a beloved grandparent, BeeHive Homes is the next best place to home—a place where love is cherished, memories are honored, and every resident is treated like family.
If you or your loved one are looking for compassionate, home-like assisted living, we invite you to schedule a tour and experience the BeeHive difference.
This Valentine’s Day, may we all be reminded that true love is not just found in grand gestures, but in the quiet, everyday moments that add up to a lifetime together.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
When I was about ten years old our family went into the mountains for the Christmas holiday break and stayed in a cabin. Having only a few days before Christmas Day to prepare our festivities my older brother and I set off on an adventure into the snow to find the perfect Christmas tree. At that elevation the snowpack was deep, with drifts rising above my head in some places, and my older brother trudged through the deep snow carving a path in front of me. To say the least, I struggled to push through the chest-high snow with my 10-year-old frame.