14/02/2026
Anna celebrated Valentine's Day with Abe for 73 years.
This is the first one without him.
She knew he was the one from the very beginning. When she saw Abe for the first time in 1951, she heard a voice say "that's your man."
That voice was right, and after six kids and seven decades of marriage, their love was still strong.
At their former retirement community, everyone called them "the lovebirds," always holding hands and telling each other "I love you" every day.
When Abe's care needs brought him to Riverview, Anna followed. She fondly recalls a big family Christmas party hosted in the auditorium when they first moved in. They spent two happy years together at Riverview before he passed in November.
"I still miss him every day," says Anna, 92. "When I get news from friends or family, my first thought is always, 'I need to tell Abe.' But then I remember I can't."
Through it all, the Riverview community has been there for her.
"People I didn't even know came up to me to offer their condolences," Anna says. "I got fantastic support. On Abe's old floor, they still tell me they miss me and invite me to visit."
This Valentine’s Day will be different. But Anna is having dinner with a friend. She’s also filling her days by giving love and support back, helping feed other residents, folding towels, and pitching in however she can.
Nothing can replace the love of her life, but her life is still full of love. The kind that shows up in folded towels, being there for other residents, or going to Jets games with her daughter, like her first one ever last month. It's the kind of love Riverview works to build every day.
"I'm happy for the work I get to do, that I get to be independent," Anna says. "I'm free to help other people and be part of the love and care they get at Riverview."
