Couple who found love at Birchwood Heights celebrate with special blessing

A couple who found love at Birchwood Heights have celebrated with a special blessing to cement their relationship.

David McCarthy and Jill Varty, both 85, moved into Birchwood Heights care home on Hilda May Avenue just four months apart, and found each other through a shared love of music and quizzes. The service was arranged by the caring staff team in a lounge in the home decorated with an arch of flowers. Family and friends were given cones of confetti to shower the couple with after the service, which was conducted by Father Dane Batley-Gladden from St Mary’s Church in Swanley.

“The day was brilliant!” said David. “We didn’t realise when we first asked to use the room for the blessing the home would do as much as they did. The room was ‘wow’ and Jill’s son walking her down the aisle was amazing.”

Birchwood Heights offers residential, nursing, memory and respite care for 77 people. Jill has been a resident for just over two years and loves taking part in everything the home has to offer, and David moved in full time after a respite stay.

“David came for a couple of weeks initially and when he went home, he realised how much he missed the company of the other residents,” said Hospitality Manager, Lisa Fox. “When he made Birchwood Heights his forever home in March 2024, he threw himself into the activities and that’s when he started to get to know Jill.”

The pair bonded over music and love sing-a-longs with the entertainers who visit the home, as well as taking part in quizzes, with general knowledge being their specialist subject.

“I don’t know what I would do if David wasn’t here,” said Jill. “It’s only been two and a half years since my husband passed and I’m very surprised to find love at this time in my life. It is very nice to have someone to laugh with and to chat with, I love the friendship we have.”

David was living on the second floor and moved to the ground floor to be closer to Jill. He rings her every morning to check she’s slept well and goes to say goodnight to her every evening. To show what she means to him, David took Jill shopping to Dartford to choose a ring. He said the blessing has made their partnership more solid.

“I love everything about her,” David said. “I’m amazed that this has happened to me at 85. I never came to Birchwood Heights with the intention of finding a relationship but moving here is the best decision I ever made.”

The service was followed by a champagne buffet in the home’s bistro. The couple cut a three-layered cake made by the home’s catering team and chatted with guests to the sound of a harpist who played their favourite songs from Elvis and Queen.

“It’s amazing to think that David might have missed out on this wonderful stage in his life,” said Lisa Fox. “We’re thrilled that he decided to move here permanently. Moving into a care home can be the start of a whole new phase, with new experiences, new friendships and new relationships. We’re so happy we could host this celebration for them. They are a fantastic couple and we wish them every happiness.”

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