Recently, Coxhill Manor Nursing and Residential Home in Chobham decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day a little early with a special day fittingly named “Hearts of Valentines.” The idea was to give the holiday a fun twist and create memorable moments for the couples who live and work at the care home. To make the day extra special, the team asked couples to share their secrets to a lasting marriage and the milestones they’ve reached together through a thoughtful questionnaire. The responses were filled with heartfelt reflections, practical advice, and meaningful moments from their shared lives.
Charles and Erin
Resident, Charles, and his wife, Erin, recently toasted to 57 wonderful years of marriage, marking the special milestone with an afternoon tea party surrounded by their loved ones. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, they continued the celebrations with a cozy afternoon together, sipping hot chocolate and sharing marshmallows.
The couple shared their advice for those beginning their journey in marriage, commenting, “get to know one and other well. Try living together before marriage and find shared interests.”
Reflecting on their own love story, they opened up about the keys to a lasting marriage: “Doing things together but also separately – togetherness as well as independence and always forgiveness.”
Joy and David
Joy and David are regular visitors to the home, staying for respite care, and are well-loved members of the Coxhill community. The duo, who have been happily married for an incredible 61 years, affectionately refer to themselves as “soulmates.” To celebrate their early Valentine’s Day, they enjoyed a romantic candlelit dinner for two, cherishing the intimate moment together.
When asked to fill out the festive questionnaire, they shared that the key to a successful marriage is simple – love! – adding, “a couple that prays together stays together. You need to be patient, kind, have a sense of humor, be quick to forgive, and hold no grudges.”
Rob and Irene
Last December, Rob and Irene celebrated an extraordinary 69 years of marriage. The couple, who reside at Coxhill, are beloved members of the home, often seen strolling hand-in-hand and sharing laughter. Over the years, they’ve formed many meaningful friendships with fellow residents and team members.
Rob and Irene’s secret to a happy marriage is simple yet profound—they deeply appreciate each other’s company and view every day together as an “I love you” day. When asked about their key to lasting happiness, they shared, “being satisfied with what you’ve got and always saying please and thank you!” Their advice to couples about to embark on marriage is grounded in mutual respect: “Show respect for each other and always make important decisions together. Be willing to help one another.”
Purna and Mala
Purna and Mala, married for 15 years and parents to a lively 2-year-old son, both work as care assistants at the home and share a deep passion for caregiving. Committed to supporting the wellbeing of residents, the pair work together to spread love and joy in the Coxhill community.
When asked about the key to their strong relationship, they shared their advice for a happy marriage: “Understand each other, accept each other—the positives and the negatives.” For those just starting out on their journey together, their advice is simple yet powerful: “Be honest and work everything out together!”
Coxhill Manor’s ‘Hearts of Valentines’ was a wonderful reminder of the love that fills the home every day. From the laughter of long-married couples to the wisdom shared by those with decades of experience, the celebration highlighted the deep bonds that make the Coxhill community feel like a family.
Coxhill Manor provides residential, nursing and dementia care on a permanent or short stay basis. If you are looking for a care home and want to find out more about our home, call 01276 733 270.
