Romance blooms for two seniors at Paso Robles assisted living community
Leonard and Donna.
‘Like a river flows, surely to the sea… some things… are meant to be’
– In a heartwarming story of late-life romance, two residents of Creston Village Assisted Living Community in Paso Robles have found companionship and love in each other’s company.
Donna, 79, moved into the community in August 2023 after being widowed for 17 years. Leonard, 97, joined in December 2023, two years after the loss of his most recent spouse. Both had been married for decades before becoming widowers, and neither was looking for love when they arrived at Creston Village. However, a chance meeting would soon change that.
Donna became involved in various activities at Creston Village shortly after her arrival, and quickly made new friends. When Leonard attended one of the Tuesday Tea Social Hours, he introduced himself by mentioning where he had previously lived. Donna, recognizing a shared connection, struck up a conversation, and they exchanged information about mutual acquaintances in the neighborhood. That initial meeting led to Leonard joining Donna at her regular lunch table and an invitation to watch Phantom of the Opera together.
Their connection deepened during a Super Bowl party in February 2024, when Donna gave Leonard a hug at the end of the game. Days later, at a Valentine’s Party featuring live Elvis music, the couple sat together, holding hands, and shared their first kiss.
Now, a year later, Donna and Leonard enjoy daily walks, shared meals, and time together in each other’s apartments. They have even collaborated on costumes for Creston Village’s dress-up days, including winning the 2024 Halloween Costume Contest with their Dr. Seuss-inspired “Thing 1 & Thing 2” outfits.
Both Donna and Leonard said they were not looking for romance when they came to Creston Village. Leonard, who previously joked about just wanting to reach his 97th birthday, now says he hopes to live to 100. Donna expressed her joy in their relationship, saying, “We’re happy and a little bit crazy. We are happy and very much in love.”
Donna describes Leonard as polite, positive, and tender. “He opens the door for any woman, takes off his hat at the table, and is caring,” she said. Leonard, in turn, treasures their simple, everyday moments, saying, “The best thing we have going is that I tuck her into bed each night and each day we wake up together.”
Their families have expressed joy at seeing their parents find love in their later years, with both families feeling comforted by the emotional connection Donna and Leonard share. The residents and staff of Creston Village have also been moved by the couple’s affectionate bond.
Adam Bramwell, Executive Director of Creston Village, shared his thoughts on the couple’s relationship. “It is one of the great joys of doing what we do when we see friendships like this blossom,” he said. “Far too often in our society, people assume that senior citizens have lived that chapter of life—far from it! Amazing folks like Donna and Leonard prove that you never know what life has in store for you—even in your 8th and 9th decades.”
As Elvis Presley famously sang, “Like a river flows, surely to the sea… some things… are meant to be.”
-By Adam Bramwell, Executive Director and Julie Tacker, Director of Engagement, Creston Village Assisted Living
Please let me know where you got that wonderful blue sweatshirt!
It says it like it really is. More ‘older’ people need to follow this statement and maybe we all can keep this country from going to ‘hell-in-a-handbasket”
Please let me know where you got that wonderful blue sweatshirt!
It says it like it really is. More ‘older’ people need to follow this statement and maybe we all can keep this country from going to ‘hell-in-a-handbasket”