You are never too old to find young love.
Just ask 80-year-old Dorothy Eby and Stuart Brown, 83, who tied the knot on Saturday at Redwoods Retirement Residence in Red Deer.
The bride, wearing a pale blue dress, strolled past more than 75 well-wishers to the front of the room where her groom, appearing a little nervous, stood.
“This is a really cool occasion,” said pastor Leigh Smithson of Red Deer.
“It’s not often we have parents asking their children if they can get married.”
After saying “I do,” Stuart sang a song entitled, Always, to declare his love for her.
Sparks began to fly some months after the couple first met.
Dorothy moved into her Redwoods suite in November 2008 and two months later, Stuart moved in on the same floor. Both were avid walkers, so one day Stuart invited her along for a stroll around the park.
They realized they had a lot in common. She was married for 53 years to her first husband, William, before he died of cancer in September 2000. Stuart’s first wife, Margaret, died of cancer in January of the same year, just short of their 50th anniversary.
Both have two daughters and a son. Both like to sing. Both have a sense of humour.
One day, as they were walking back home, Dorothy took Stuart’s hand. It wasn’t a romantic gesture, more for practicality sake. Dorothy remembered it was cold out.
“I think he was quite happy,” said Dorothy, as both she and Stuart laughed.
As soon as they entered the building lobby, someone blurted out, “So when are you two getting married?”
They laughed about it that day. But it got them thinking about dating.
“We were by the playground, sitting on a bench when we realized something,” said Stuart. “We had decided to get together.”
“And make it official,” Dorothy added.
Their summer romance began to flourish. They had their first kiss, and more after that. Last fall on a park bench, the two sweethearts decided to take their love to a higher level.
They agreed to wed.
Dorothy said they wanted to be together more, and since they don’t believe in living together before marriage, this was the right thing to do.
Stuart can’t remember the exact day of the engagement. It doesn’t really matter. He’s got his girl — one who makes him happy every day.
They do everything together and about a month ago, they chose their wedding bands with three small diamonds in each.
And the rest of their family couldn’t be happier.
“My children went down and bought my dress without me being there,” said Dorothy, smiling.
Their families took an active part in the wedding and reception, which included a dance.
The newlyweds will honeymoon in the university town of Davis, Calif. where Stuart’s brother lives. Stuart will then move into Dorothy’s larger suite, which gets the south-facing sun. Dorothy isn’t taking her husband’s last name. Stuart doesn’t mind.
She understands what’s important in making a strong marriage. Her advice to younger couples — be true to your partner.
“And always discuss what’s coming up or what you need to discuss,” Dorothy said.
This is the first wedding at the retirement home, which opened about five years ago.
“We figured it might inspire somebody,” said Stuart.
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, they have a message — follow one’s heart and if there’s someone you like, go for it because you never know, it’s never too late for love.
“People can make a life for themselves with someone, instead of being alone,” Stuart said.
And then they gave each other a soft kiss.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com