Sunnyview couple proves love can happen at any stage of life
BUTLER TWP — If there was one message Sandee Welch and Bob Henry wanted guests to take away from their promise ceremony on Tuesday, July 23, at Sunnyview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, it is to never, ever give up on love.
Henry waited patiently in his wheelchair near an altar festooned with flowers and a lantern by Sunnyview staff before his beloved appeared in her electric wheelchair and proceeded down the rose-petal strewed aisle toward him, carrying a bouquet and with hair and nails done, courtesy of Sunnyview management.
Both beamed as they faced each other while tuxedo-clad musician Dan Hogan played a Mozart selection on the trumpet.
More than 20 of the couple’s fellow residents attended the ceremony, as did about the same number of staff.
The activities room, where the couple enjoyed their promise ceremony, was decorated with balloons and flowers.
“We gather here today to celebrate Sandee and Bob as they make their commitment to each other,” said the ceremony’s officiant, Sunnyview activity aide Shane Parcell. “Commitment is about trust, patience, forgiveness, devotion and love.
“It’s what happens when a relationship becomes a home; a place of safety and love.”
A Bible reading, prayer and the song “How Sweet It Is to be Loved By You” — in which the couple bobbed their heads and mouthed the words to one another — was followed by their words of commitment.
“I am entering into this promise ceremony with arms and heart open wide, because my love for you has grown stronger every day,” Welch said.
She promised love, forgiveness, someone to always turn to and generosity with her hugs and kisses.
“If a sexy guy comes around, I promise to look him over, but never touch,” she said to the delight of those in attendance. “You are the only man for me.”
Henry promised to support and stay with Welch in good times and bad.
“And I will always have a smile for you,” he said.
The couple sealed their commitment with a kiss, which elicited hearty applause from their grinning guests.
Punch and cupcakes followed, and Hogan sang many commitment-themed tunes.
“When my husband died, I thought that love was over for me,” Welch said.
She called Henry sweet, gentle and romantic, and recalled teasing him one day when a woman was flirting with him.
“He said why would I trade a new Cadillac for a Ford?” Welch said.
She expressed her gratitude to Sunnyview for putting on such a nice ceremony for the couple.
“I felt like a real bride,” she said. “I thought it turned out perfect.”
Henry, a four-year Sunnyview resident, said he and Welch became friends at bingo and began visiting one another’s rooms after he gave her some coloring books she was looking for.
“It just developed from there,” he said. “Sixty-seven years old and I found love in a nursing home.”
Trish Kradel, the administrator at Sunnyview, smiled throughout the ceremony.
“To find joy is totally priceless for them and others at the center,” she said. “The residents are all very close. It’s like a family, and when one is happy, they are all happy.”
She recalled a marriage seven years ago between residents, and another couple who met there and married in a local church.
“We’ve been planning this for weeks, and it was highly anticipated by both residents and staff,” Kradel said.
Resident Judy Fiscus was thrilled to attend her friends’ promise ceremony.
“They love each other, so they might as well spend each day to the fullest,” she said. “A lot of us are really excited for them.”
Resident Frank Tascarella is a good friend of Henry’s.
“They belong to one another,” he said. “They’re a perfect couple.”
Ken Holland, an activities aide at Sunnyview for 24 years, fetched cupcakes and punch for the happy couple and their guests.
“Love finds you,” he said of Welch and Henry’s promise ceremony. “You just go along with it.”
Sis Lokhaiser, also an activity aide, said the event was a shot in the arm for everyone at Sunnyview.
“It boosts morale,” she said “It makes everyone come together.”
Martha Cantera, an activity aide, was thrilled to attend the ceremony and serve cupcakes and punch afterward.
“I’m super happy we were able to help them with this happy day,” Cantera said. “They are both very caring and always put a smile on your face.”
The promise ceremony was coordinated by Victoria Thompson, resident enrichment director at Sunnyview.
