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Provision Living at West Bloomfield residents, Ray and Anita, have been happily married for 65 years, and are always finding ways to show their love for one another. When Alissa Gash, Executive Director of the senior living community, offered to perform a vow renewal ceremony at West Bloomfield, the couple was eager to participate.
Alissa, an ordained minister, has performed several vow renewal ceremonies in her senior living communities. “I did my first vow renewal at a community several years ago and it was one of my favorite days ever working in senior living, so I was excited to have the chance to do it again,” says Alissa.
This most recent renewal at West Bloomfield was a particularly powerful experience for Alissa and the community as it is not often that you meet a couple with a marriage lasting 65 years and counting. “To have the opportunity to reflect on a lifelong journey together, and continue that journey in senior living together was something that was really impactful for the couple, myself, and the community,” Alissa recalls.
For Ray and Anita, the chance to renew their vows was an opportunity to reflect on their amazing life together. Ray said that the experience brought back many fond memories of his wedding day and that he felt proud to be at the altar again with his wife. He was happy to have the other residents involved, and particularly enjoyed the champagne toast and a chance to kiss Anita. Anita also used the chance to reflect on one of her most treasured moments, her wedding day, and her father walking her down the aisle. Anita explained that she was so happy to be getting married, and that her family was there. Anita even spent the moments prior to the renewal looking through her old wedding photographs.
While Ray and Anita were the only couple to participate in the vow renewal, the other residents had a chance to take part as guests. The ceremony was well received by residents, many of whom found it very impactful or emotional. “We have one couple that rarely shows affection for one another in public, but when I stopped by their table after the ceremony, they were sitting close together and holding hands. I had never seen that before, so it’s obvious that the experience touched them in some way,” says Alissa.
For Alissa, the vow renewal is an exemplary moment of the active social engagement offered in the community. “I think it really brings back the focus of why we’re here and what we do,” Alissa explains. “Creating special experiences for residents is such a big deal, and to recreate that super personal moment for them is really special. Our residents have such interesting lives – any opportunity we can take to reflect and celebrate them is very meaningful.”
Ray and Anita would agree that there are many experiences at Provision Living that make it a special place to live. Anita says she is grateful that her daughter found the community, and that it is a beautiful place to live with her husband. She and Ray have met so many friends and together they enjoy attending community events, lectures, movies, and outings around town. Ray similarly appreciates the engaging social components of life at Provision – he enjoys the friendly people and seeing everyone in the community being well taken care of.
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