Shrewsbury care home couples share marriage tips that stand the test of time for Valentine’s Day

 

Tolerance, equality and ‘being best friends’ were just some of the tips included in advice given by couples at a care home in Shrewsbury, when they enjoyed a very special Valentine’s Day celebration.

Love was in the air when the team at Care UK’s Oxbow Manor, on Oteley Road, arranged a romantic celebration for the couples living at the home. Everyone was encouraged to reminisce about their early days together and reveal their secrets to a long and happy marriage. 

The heart-warming event, dedicated to love, laughter and lasting relationships, had all the couples filled with excitement as they were dressed to the nines to enjoy champagne and a specially prepared dinner, followed by a party with live music from a saxophonist.

Adding to the ambience of the event, the home’s restaurant area was filled with heart-shaped balloons and there were rose petals scattered on the tables. 

One of Oxbow Manor’s resident couples, Evelyn and Ross Mackay, aged 94 and 93, have been married for 66 years, and enjoyed the special party and sharing happy memories from their impressively long marriage together. They met at a dance in 1955 when Ross was home on leave from the RAF, and there was an instant attraction. 

Evelyn, who was 24 when they met, said: “He was a smart looking fellow in his suit, shirt and tie.”

Ross and Evelyn had their first date at a concert, before going on to marry in 1958 and raising three children together. 

Evelyn’s career saw her practising as a nurse for ten years until she became a full-time mother, while Ross enjoyed work as a mechanic before his years in the RAF. 

Reflecting on their many years of marriage, Evelyn revealed that “understanding one another” is what makes them the happiest.

She said: “Always be happy and see one another’s point of view. You should never fall out, but if you do then fall back in again!”

Ross added that “being on equal terms” is very important for a relationship to thrive and survive. He also offered his Valentine’s gift-giving advice.

He said: “It doesn’t matter how big or small a gift is, as long as it is given with love.

“Evelyn is my best friend in the world and we’re very happy together. Every day is special.”

The couple were joined by fellow residents Pamela and John Cooper, aged 83 and 88, who are celebrating almost three decades together this year. The pair met socially and spent their first date having a romantic meal at a hotel. 

Now the happy couple live at Oxbow Manor together, enjoying their respective hobbies of bridge and gardening. 

John said: “Tolerance is the secret to a long and happy marriage!”

Donna Howard, Home Manager at Oxbow Manor, said: “Evelyn and Ross, and Pamela and John, are two love stories for the ages. It was great to be able to organise a special ‘date night’ for each of our special couples and the rest of the residents in honour of Valentine’s Day. I’d like to say a special thank you to our hard-working team for making the day so memorable, and to our wonderful chef for creating such a fantastic menu.  

“Here at Oxbow Manor, love is certainly in the air, and it’s been wonderful to encourage so many of the residents to reminisce and share fond memories from their own marriages and relationships. Many wise words were shared that have certainly given us food for thought. 

“We’d like to say thank you to all the happy couples for sharing their stories and proving that true love really can stand the test of time.” 

Oxbow Manor is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the home has its very own cinema, café and hair salon, and there is plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.