Serving the Arcadia area since 1958 Find us on Facebook! Member Since 1959 • • • • • www.ingleside.com PAMPER YOUR PET WITH OUR PREMIUM GROOMING SERVICES FREE EXAM WITH GROOMING AND VACCINES BRIAN A. SERBIN, DVM • RACHEL BART, DVM KATIE CHILES, DVM • KATHERINE HEWITT, DVM • TALI TONCRAY, DVM HOSPITAL 602-840-3446 | GROOMING 602-952-1754 CALL US FOR AN APPOINTMENT! H i L L A R Y GURLEY GURLEY your arcadia realtor.com > 602.463.3359 Calle deL 4501 East NORTE BETHANY 2045 East HOME $1,325,000 $898,000 Page 36 February 2016 RETIREMENT NOW WHAT? Editor’s Note: When compiling information for this article, the writer spoke with close friends and neighbors. To respect their privacy, names have been excluded. By Jean Hodgson Do you remember Valentine’s Day when you were in grade school? There was such excitement as you placed cute little cards for all your classmates in the decorated box in the classroom! But as you got older this holiday took on a new significance. Should I send a carefully chosen card to that special someone... and will I receive one in return? Well, Cupid’s arrows are not just for the young, as many couples who have married as senior adults can testify. When I asked several friends in our age group to respond to some questions about their recent marriages, they agreed with smiles, and later reported that thinking about and sharing this information became a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, 2016. So, how do you meet that special someone at this stage of life? One couple had served for years together with their previous spouses on a Senior Adult Ministry Board at their church. After the deaths of their mates, the friendship cont i nued a nd later transformed into a social relationship. Two couples spoke of being introduced by friends who knew them well and were convinced they would enjoy each other’s company. They all said they were hesitant at first – but now are grateful for these matchmakers. One couple met through social media. Although they became distant friends, they had to navigate meeting in person to see if the relationship was a serious match. Engagement lengths were as varied as they are for couples in other age groups, but my most unique response was from the friend who said, “After knowing her a little over a year, I asked her to marry me. She said yes, but we were engaged for 10 years.” Then he added, “We’ve been married for just over a year and I can’t tell you how many times my wife has said, ‘I think I should have done this a long time ago.’” Three couples included family and friends in their celebration with a traditional church wedding followed by a reception. One reported not being able to find a common date to get their combined families together, so they got married in the back yard. “The only people there were the bride and groom, the Rabbi, the couple that introduced us, and the photographer and his assistant,” (who happens to be the writer of this article). I posed a question about how their families reacted to their marriage, and consistently heard about how it was important for couples to get a thumbs up from family members about their possible marriage plans. One bride said, “We both understood that a marriage is the coming together of two families – not just two people joining in wedlock. So we were very interested to gain the perspective of our families.” Another comment was “an unexpected joy has been how much we enjoy each other’s families and how well they got along when they met.” Challenges included combining households and adjusting to a new routine after a single lifestyle, but those seem to be far outbalanced by statements like “It’s so nice to have somebody to come home to. It’s also a good feeling to know that someone has your back just in case. I never thought I could be lucky in love twice in one lifetime.” Another said, “It was unexpected how happy and content I would be.” Another statement I heard was, “It’s so lovely to be loved again.” What advice would you give to senior adults who are thinking about getting hitched? That was my final question to these friends. This quote best summarizes the responses I received: “If you’ve found the right one, and feel sure that you are meant for each other, don’t mess around with waiting – life is too short now. Enjoy your remaining years together.” Giving love a second chance One couple traded the traditional celebration for a relaxed backyard setting. We both understood that a marriage is the coming together of two families – not just two people joining in wedlock.” ‘‘
Art Exhibit by Allen A. Dutton The acclaimed works of Master Photographer Allen Dutton, MorningStar resident, will be showcased at a cocktail reception in his honor on February 26. The general public is cordially invited to join this tribute to his life and legacy. Dutton will offer perspective on the world of fine art and his contributions to it as a photographer, oil painter, educator and author. His photographs will continue to be on display at MorningStar through February 29. By the magnitude of his work and critical acclaim over the last 68 years, Dutton is recognized as one of world’s most innovative fine art photographers. First published in the 1950s, his style has long intrigued private collectors and American, European and Japanese museums. Ranging from classic realism to Dali-inspired montages, his images are among the permanent collections of MOMA in New York and Bibliotheque Nationale de France in Paris. Of his four published books, the most celebrated is Arizona Then and Now , which pairs historic photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries with contemporary ones taken at the exact locations and angles; 22,000 copies have been sold. ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE at ARCADIA 480.300.4700 3200 East Glenrosa Avenue | MorningStarSeniorLiving.com L I F E T H R O U G H T H E L E N S OF A Master Photographer H O N O R A R Y R E C E P T I O N F RIDAY, F EBRUARY 26 6:30–8:00 PM Hors d’oeuvres by Chef John Guyer with wine pairings provided by R S V P B Y F E B R U A R Y 2 2