--- title: Love lives here at Aspira description: Love has a way of surprising us — especially later in life. image: https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hubfs/Leon%20and%20Gloria%20Vday%20package%20cropped.jpg --- CONTACT US **0800 920 2222** Search Sienna [CONTACT US](https://www.aspiralife.ca/contact-us/)     **[1-866-959-4848](tel:+18669594848)** [![Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Aspira%20Logos/Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB.png?width=3368&height=1403&name=Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB.png "Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB")](https://www.aspiralife.ca/) - [Our Locations](https://www.aspiralife.ca/our-locations) - [Find your Local Community](https://www.aspiralife.ca/our-locations) - [Living Options](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options) - [Seniors Apartments](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/seniors-apartments/) - [Independent Living](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/independent-living/) - [Assisted Living](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/assisted-living/) - [Respite Care](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/respite-care/) - [Memory Care](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/memory-care/) - [Plan Your Move](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move) - [How to Get Started](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move/how-to-get-started/) - [Feature Webinars](https://www.aspiralife.ca/Plan-Your-Move/Feature-Webinars) - [Affordable Options](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move/affordable-options/) - [FAQs](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move/faqs/) - [About Us](https://www.aspiralife.ca/about-us) - [Essence of Aspira](https://www.aspiralife.ca/about-us/essence-of-aspira) - [Our Blogs](https://www.aspiralife.ca/about-us/our-blogs/) - [Leadership Team](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Leadership-Team) - [Quality](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Quality) Search Sienna ![LoveLivesHere_OpenHouseGraphic07Jan2026 copy](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/LoveLivesHere_OpenHouseGraphic07Jan2026%20copy.jpg?width=2000&height=1125&name=LoveLivesHere_OpenHouseGraphic07Jan2026%20copy.jpg "LoveLivesHere_OpenHouseGraphic07Jan2026 copy") Love has a way of surprising us — especially later in life. Just when we think certain chapters are closed, new ones quietly begin. In retirement living, days are shaped by connection, shared moments, and the comfort of community. Friendships grow naturally, routines overlap, and sometimes, a special bond occurs. These are stories of love found not in spite of age or circumstance, but because of the time, openness, and space to truly know one another. They remind us that it’s never too late for companionship — and that some of life’s most meaningful relationships can begin when you least expect them. - - - [Retirement](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement), [Retirement Residence](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement-residence), [Senior Living Options](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/senior-living-options), [Independent Living](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/independent-living), [Retirement Living](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement-living) ## Love lives here at Aspira February 2, 2026 Love has a way of surprising us — especially later in life. Just when we think certain chapters are closed, new ones quietly begin. In retirement living, days are shaped by connection, shared moments, and the comfort of community. Friendships grow naturally, routines overlap, and sometimes, a special bond occurs. These are stories of love found not in spite of age or circumstance, but because of the time, openness, and space to truly know one another. They remind us that it’s never too late for companionship — and that some of life’s most meaningful relationships can begin when you least expect them. ## Pete and Carey - Heatherwood When Pete and Carey first moved into Heatherwood, love wasn’t part of the plan. Life had already taken them both down winding paths. They arrived focused on settling in and enjoying the comfort of a new home. Romance, they assumed, belonged to another time.![Pete and Carey Vday Package](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Pete%20and%20Carey%20Vday%20Package.jpg?width=392&height=294&name=Pete%20and%20Carey%20Vday%20Package.jpg) By pure chance, they ended up living just across the hallway from one another. At first, it was nothing more than polite greetings and familiar smiles exchanged in passing. Over time, those brief moments became part of the day’s rhythm. They noticed when the other headed out for breakfast, when they returned from an afternoon walk and a quiet familiarity grew. One afternoon, Carey stopped Pete with a simple question: would he teach her how to shoot pool? Pete agreed without hesitation, unaware that Carey already knew her way around the table just fine. What began as a casual lesson quickly turned into laughter, easy conversation, and a spark neither of them had expected — or believed possible. “After losing my wife before moving in, I was not looking for love again in life. But then, I got a new neighbour who turned out to be my angel,” said Pete. From there, the rest unfolded naturally. Time spent together felt effortless. What surprised them most wasn’t just that they found love, but that they found it at a stage of life when they thought that door had long since closed. More than a year later, they’re still going strong. “I was alone for 18 years and quite happy,” said Carey. “Then one day, I opened my door and he (Pete) opened his at the same time across the hall and there he was. It was so fast, from the first time we met I knew there was something about him. It didn’t take me long to realize this was who I was supposed to be with.” Pete and Carey’s story is a reminder that sometimes love isn’t found by searching at all — just waiting quietly, right across the hallway. ## Jim and Evelyn - Yorkton Crossing Seventy-five years of marriage leaves behind a lifetime of stories — and Jim and Evelyn have more than most. Growing up in the south-west corner of Saskatchewan, both in and around Lancer, their lives unfolded side by side through farming, family, and hard work. They married in 1950 and built a life rooted in commitment, humour, and resilience — one that grew to include 11 children, 22 grandchildren, and more than 40 great-grandchildren. ![jim and evelyn vday package cropped](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/jim%20and%20evelyn%20vday%20package%20cropped.jpg?width=318&height=318&name=jim%20and%20evelyn%20vday%20package%20cropped.jpg) When Jim talks about their life together, humour is never far away. He jokes that he “picked the right woman,” and quips that he “married out of love and she married out of pity,” drawing a familiar smile from Evelyn. That same light-heartedness runs through decades of shared memories — from farming and raising a large family to music and dancing. Jim once chuckled that Evelyn “was a great dancer and he just hung on,” recalling the polka fests they enjoyed together. Their partnership has always been practical as well as affectionate. When Evelyn needed both hips replaced, the couple made a change that allowed her to focus on healing. “It was such a relief for me being here (Yorkton Crossing),” Evelyn said. “I didn’t have to do anything. The cooking and cleaning was all done and I didn’t have to worry about my hips.” Jim agreed simply: “We were happy we made the move.” Today, their days are filled with writing, reading, family visits, and quiet moments together. Evelyn reflects on the freedom to enjoy time differently now. “You can sit and watch TV and you don’t have to feel bad because you’re not doing something.” After 75 years of marriage, Jim and Evelyn remain a reminder that love isn’t just found in grand gestures — but in shared laughter, enduring partnership, and a lifetime spent growing together. ## Gloria and Leon - Royale Place Gloria and Leon’s love story didn’t unfold in a straight line. It took patience, persistence, and more than a few missed moments before the timing finally aligned. Long before they met, Gloria’s close friend Ruth was convinced it would happen. “Ruth often told me she was convinced Leon and I were meant for each other,” said Gloria. Still, circumstances kept getting in the way. “Somehow, fate kept missing its cues — every time the opportunity arose, Leon was already dating someone else.”![Leon and Gloria Vday package cropped](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Leon%20and%20Gloria%20Vday%20package%20cropped.jpg?width=357&height=536&name=Leon%20and%20Gloria%20Vday%20package%20cropped.jpg) Their eventual meeting came courtesy of Ruth’s wedding. Looking for a practical solution, the couple asked Gloria and Leon to attend as each other’s guest. “Leon and I attended as each other’s plus-one and saved them two invitations,” said Gloria. “And just like that, after all those near-misses, we finally met.” The start was anything but romantic. “To be perfectly honest, we didn’t like each other at first. Not even a little,” she said. But weddings have a way of bringing people together. “Somewhere between rehearsals and responsibilities, irritation softened into friendship — and before we knew it, love quietly took hold,” Gloria recalled. By the following year, both knew marriage was in their future. Even the proposal came with a story. Gloria was certain it would happen on Valentine’s Day. “I waited, hopeful and expectant — but February 14 came and went,” she said. When Leon eventually proposed, his explanation became part of family lore. “He had gone out with a former girlfriend — just to be sure,” Gloria said, adding that “romance, it turns out, sometimes comes with a final fact-check.” Now married for 58 years, Gloria and Leon’s story is a reminder that love doesn’t always arrive on schedule — but when it does, it’s worth the wait. [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Flove-lives-here-at-aspira-retirement-living%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Flove-lives-here-at-aspira-retirement-living%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) ### Subscribe to Emails ### Popular Stories [A life of laughter, independence, and new beginnings: Mary Kleinschmidt’s story](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/a-life-of-laughter-independence-and-new-beginnings-mary-kleinschmidts-story) July 11, 2025 [Rose Dolgy: Still cracking jokes and enjoying life at 106](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/rose-dolgy-still-cracking-jokes-and-enjoying-life-at-106) May 21, 2024 [Love lives here at Aspira](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/love-lives-here-at-aspira-retirement-living) February 02, 2026 [See how our Sparkle Award winners shine](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/see-how-our-sparkle-award-winners-shine) June 25, 2024 [The secret to 105-year-old Edna's long life is to "work hard and play hard"](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/the-secret-to-105-year-old-ednas-long-life-is-to-work-hard-and-play-hard) August 01, 2023 ### Popular Tags - [Retirement (42)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement) - [Retirement Living (42)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement-living) - [Retirement Residence (26)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement-residence) - [Inspirational Life (19)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/inspirational-life) - [Senior Living Options (18)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/senior-living-options) - [Independent Living (17)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/independent-living) - [Milestone Stories (12)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/milestone-stories) - [Ontario (11)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/ontario) - [Centenarians (10)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/centenarians) - [Awards & Achievements (7)](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/awards-achievements) ### Subscribe to our Blog! ## Related Posts [Inspirational Life](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/inspirational-life) - - - ## [A Mother’s Day Special: Aspira moms through the decades](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/a-mothers-day-special-aspira-moms-through-the-decades) February 2, 2026 [Centenarians](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/centenarians) - - - ## [The Art of Living to 100](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/the-art-of-living-to-100) February 2, 2026 April 10 th is the 100th day of the year, and what better time to celebrate the many centenarians at Aspira who seem to have perfected the art of... [Retirement](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/topic/retirement) - - - ## [‘Just like a great hotel on vacation’: George’s life at Harvest Crossing](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/just-like-a-great-hotel-on-vacation-georges-life-at-harvest-crossing) February 2, 2026 By the time George Lambert moved into Aspira Harvest Crossing, he already felt like part of the furniture. For years he had been visiting a friend... ### Our Locations - [Find Your Local Community](https://www.aspiralife.ca/our-locations/) ### Our Living Options - [Senior Apartments](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/senior-apartments/) - [Independent Living](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/independent-living/) - [Assisted Living](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/assisted-living/) - [Respite Care](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/respite-care/) - [Memory Care](https://www.aspiralife.ca/living-options/memory-care/) ### Plan Your Move - [Getting Started](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move/how-to-get-started/) - [Affordable Options](https://www.aspiralife.ca/Plan-Your-Move/Feature-Webinars) - [Aspira Resources](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move/affordable-options/) - [FAQS](https://www.aspiralife.ca/plan-your-move/faqs/) ### About Us - [Essence of Aspira](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Essence-of-Aspira) - [Our Blogs](https://www.aspiralife.ca/about-us/our-blogs/) - [Our Affiliations](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Our-Affiliations) - [Leadership Team](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Leadership-Team) - [Quality](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Quality) - [For Investors](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Sienna-Senior-Living) - [Join Our Team](https://www.aspiralife.ca/About-Us/Sienna-Senior-Living) [![Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB](https://blog.aspiralife.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Aspira%20Logos/Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB.png?width=145&height=60&name=Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB.png "Aspira-logo-lockup-RGB")](https://www.aspiralife.ca) - [Privacy Policy](https://aspiralife.ca/legals/privacy-notice/) - [Sienna Senior Living](https://www.aspiralife.ca/about-us/sienna-senior-living/) - © 2022 - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.aspiralife.ca/legals/terms-conditions/) - [Accessibility](https://www.aspiralife.ca/legals/accessibility/) - [Sitemap](https://www.aspiralife.ca/sitemap/) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Flove-lives-here-at-aspira-retirement-living%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Flove-lives-here-at-aspira-retirement-living%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://7528304.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Flove-lives-here-at-aspira-retirement-living%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Flove-lives-here-at-aspira-retirement-living%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on pinterest](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/pinterest-color.png?width=24&name=pinterest-color.png)](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Flove-lives-here-at-aspira-retirement-living%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on email](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Flove-lives-here-at-aspira-retirement-living%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail&body=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fblog.aspiralife.ca%2Flove-lives-here-at-aspira-retirement-living%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)