An elderly Scots couple enjoyed their first Valentine's Day meal ahead of the romantic weekend in a care home after moving during the pandemic so they could stay together.
Davie, 93, and Margaret Hunter, 89, have been together for 70 years and couldn't bare to be separated from one another so when Margaret had to move into a care home, Davie refused to let her go alone.
The pair are the only couple at Renaissance Care’s Rosepark Care Home and as they joined during such a challenging time, staff wanted to do something for them.
Anette Frew and her colleagues at the Uddingston home decided to prepare a two-course lunch with the help of the home’s chef and the local Aldi in Bellshill which provided a host of romantic treats.
The team made a picture perfect setting by using their own wedding dresses as a backdrop and setting the love theme with flowers, cards and chocolates.
Davie and Margaret enjoyed baked salmon with potatoes, love-heart short-bread, strawberry ice-cream and cakes, while they reminisced about their younger days when Davie would sweet talk Margaret every night - almost always missing his bus home to Yoker.
He 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.”.
But Margaret fondly remembers how he used to always make her laugh in their courting days.
The lovebirds first met 71 year's ago at the Schweppes factory they both worked in and are now approaching their seventieth wedding anniversary.
Putting down their long and happy marriage to simple "getting on so well" and "just liking each other", the couple have two children and three grandchildren.
Since their wedding in Balornock Chapel and a reception at Margaret's mum's house - costing a grand total of £25 - Davie has remained smitten with Margaret, spoiling her every Valentine's Day with flowers and a card.
But when Davie handed Margaret a homemade rose before their romantic lunch, Margaret joked that it was 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!”
Annette Frew, activity co-ordinator, 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 Scotland Group Buying Director, added: “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.”
