Sevenoaks care home residents share relationship advice this Valentine’s Day

 

‘Talk when having dinner’ was just one piece of relationship advice shared by residents at a Sevenoaks care home.

Love was in the air at Care UK’s Weald Heights, on Bourchier Close, when the team arranged a special Valentine’s celebration for resident John Atkins, 84, and his wife Tricia, so they could reminisce and honour their 61 years of marriage. 

The heart-warming afternoon was dedicated to love, laughter, and lasting relationships, and had the couple filled with excitement as they were dressed to the nines to enjoy a romantic three-course meal, which had been thoughtfully prepared by the home’s Head Chef.  

Adding to the ambience of the occasion, the dining room was filled with heart-shaped decorations for the special meal. 

The couple met at the Bank of England in London, where they both worked in the same office. John drove Tricia and her friends to an interoffice cricket and tennis match, and afterwards dropped her home to Horley in Surrey, giving them plenty of time to get to know one another. 

After an initial attraction, romance blossomed, and their first date was a drive down to Brighton for a day at the seaside. Just six weeks into their relationship, Tricia had to move to Zurich, Switzerland, for her father's job, but the couple committed to making the long-distance relationship work and visited each other until Tricia’s eventual return to England. 

They eventually married on the 23rd March 1963 at Horley Methodist Church surrounded by friends and family from all over the country. Looking back on the special day, they fondly recall having “literally a white wedding” as there was a thick blanket of snow on the ground. 

The couple settled in Sevenoaks and have two children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild who all visit John regularly at Weald Heights. 

When asked to share relationship advice for the young couples of today, John said: “Have individual interests so there’s always something to talk about. Take an interest in each other's day-to-day activities and plan holidays you both enjoy.”

Sharing his own secrets for a long and happy marriage, he added: “Look after each other and talk when having dinner to catch up on each day,” before jokingly remarking that it helped when Tricia would “listen to what the round of golf was like!” 

Maria Covington, Home Manager at Weald Heights, said: “We were delighted to help John and Tricia celebrate Valentine's Day with a romantic meal, after almost 62 years of their wonderful marriage— a milestone that many of us aspire to reach.

“Celebrating Valentine’s Day has encouraged many of the residents to reminisce and share their favourite memories from their own relationships, which has been so wonderful to hear. I’d like to thank John and Tricia for sharing their beautiful love story, as well as sharing their advice and wisdom on marriage for the younger generations.”

Weald Heights is a purpose-built care home designed to deliver luxury hotel-style comfort for residents, complete with a café, hair and beauty salon, cinema and beautiful gardens. The home is divided into separate residential, nursing and dementia care suites, encouraging close-knit communities where residents can get to know each other, and where people with similar needs can be cared for together.