Cheltenham care home residents share secret to a happy marriage

Love was well and truly in the air at a Cheltenham care home when two residents celebrated a very special milestone.

82-year-old Julie Stubbs and her husband 86-year-old Don, both residents at Care UK’s Sandfields on St Georges Road, toasted their 60^th wedding anniversary on 28^th December.

In true case of ‘love at first sight’, Julie and Don met when they were 21 and 25 on an outing with Cheltenham Ramblers Club – and were married just over a year later in Bedfordshire. 

Julie said: “Our wedding day was a cold and frosty one – but the sun shone for us. It was a wonderful day and so special to share with our oved ones.”

Don commented: “As soon as I saw Julie I thought she was beautiful – over the years, I’ve learned that ‘yes, dear’ is usually the right answer to everything.”

Offering her advice for a successful marriage, Julie added that the key is to “not push your luck”.

The couple, who have two children, celebrated their special day with a visit from their family and a cake homemade by the home’s talented catering team.

Dorothy Pye, Home Manager at Sandfields, said: “Here at Sandfields, we know how important it is to celebrate all of life’s milestones, big and small. This was a big day for Julie and Don, and we were honoured to raise a glass to their long and happy marriage – we can certainly all learn from their experience.

“The atmosphere in the home was wonderful and prompted many residents to reminisce and share fond memories of their own weddings. It truly was a day to remember – happy anniversary Julie and Don!”

Sandfields is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia and short-term respite care. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.