A special Valentine’s for care home couple
A couple celebrated a memorable Valentine’s Day in an Uddingston care home after recently moving there together.
Margaret and Davie Hunter have been together for an amazing 71 years and last month – after it was decided by family that Margaret would be better off in the care of staff at Rosepark Care Home – Davie moved there with her as the happy couple simply couldn’t be apart.
Davie, 93, and Margaret, 89, have settled in quickly – and even enjoyed a romantic Valentine’s Day together with a two-course meal catered by the Renaissance Care staff.
As the only couple in the Uddingston home, and having joined during such a challenging time, staff wanted to make sure this year’s celebrations were extraspecial.
The beautiful lunch was prepared along with some romantic treats including love-heart shortbread and strawberry ice-cream and cakes. Activity co-ordinator Annette Frew, along with another carer, brought their own wedding dresses as the backdrop for the special afternoon, where there was also flowers, cards and chocolates donated from the local Aldi in Bellshill, perfectly placed on their dining table.
Davie prepared a special romantic gesture before the afternoon tea and handed Margaret a rose he made in the home’s art class to which Margaret replied ‘Well, that’s a first!”
The couple have been enjoying their time in the home and have been blown away by the staff’s kindness. Margaret said: “The staff are all lovely, they have gone to so much bother to make us feel welcome. They would do anything for you.”
The lovebirds first met 71 year’s ago at the Schweppes factory they both worked in, and will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary next month. They put their long and happy marriage down to simply ‘getting on so well’ and ‘just liking each other’. Davie and Margaret have two children and three grandchildren.
After their wedding in Balornock Chapel and a reception at Margaret’s mum’s house, which cost all of £25, Davie remained smitten with Margaret, making sure to fuss over her every Valentine’s Day with flowers and a card.
Davie has always made Margaret laugh. Margaret remembers in their courting days Davie would stay behind after his shift to sweet-talk her resulting in him missing his bus home to Yoker almost every night.
Davie said: “Her granny used to say, ‘that poor boy’ because I was always missing the bus and having to cycle all the way home just so I could stay and talk to Margaret.”
Annette said: “We always like to make sure we do something unique for the individuals at the home, and as our only couple in Rosepark, we thought Valentine’s Day would be the perfect time to treat Margaret and Davie.
“All the staff have pulled together to make their day special, and I’d like to thank them and Aldi, for their very kind donation which has added some extra romance to Mrs and Mrs Hunter’s Valentine’s Day.”
Graham Nicolson, Aldi group buying director, said: “It was fantastic to have helped support the team at Renaissance Care’s Rosepark Care Home in creating a memorable day for both Margaret and David. The efforts of all staff at Renaissance Care during the pandemic has been inspiring and on the behalf of Aldi Scotland I hope Margaret and David and the Rosepark Care Home team enjoy the special range of Valentine’s Day treats our local Aldi store has donated.”