Published: February 13, 2026
“Love Is All Around” is the theme of Kendal at Oberlin’s Valentine’s Day celebration on Saturday. The evening gathering will include musical and literary tributes to family, friends, staff, the campus grounds and everything else that that makes Kendal such a vibrant and loving community.
Here we feature three Kendal couples who were willing to share what makes their committed relationship thrive at home and in a retirement community.
Tom Roese & Bill Franklin
We were married in 2015, when marriage equality became legal in all the states. We’ve been together since 1997. So, we’ve been together for 29 years and married for 11 years. We were so blessed to be married in front of about 75 friends and relatives, and three rabbis and a cantor officiated.
We have several similar likes and interests, such as the visual arts, music, physical activity (biking, hiking, fitness) and we each pursue our personal interests. It’s this range of overlapping and diverse activities and interests that keeps us engaged as we explore the diversity together. We find that constantly checking in on feelings and communication is key to being sensitive to the other’s needs. We both practice the principle of Tikkun Olam - improving the world, social justice.
We don’t really offer relationship advice to others. It isn’t any of our business. We answer as best we can when asked. Bill discussed with his two sons the role of a good spouse, and he would support them in a loving relationship no matter what the gender. I assisted a friend before their marriage as they knew us pretty well and wanted to mold their marriage based on what they observed in ours.
Living in a retirement community (since 2024) seems to enhance our relationship because we are free to be engaged with many activities both together and as individuals. The level of anxiety is much lower not having to constantly manage the demands of home ownership.
Valentine's Day doesn’t hold any special significance. We try to demonstrate commitment to each other on a daily basis and frequent check-ins. We tend to not have any traditional gender roles pertaining to house hold management. If one encounters a chore that needs attention, usually the one discovering the need, takes care of the need. There is an equal distribution of authority and responsibility.
Anne & Ed Wardwell
We have been married 55 years and met at a church coffee hour.
Doing things together and having shared values about things that matter contribute to the health of our relationship. We believe that it is important to be honest, have mutual respect, kindness and forgiveness.
We don't remember ever giving marital advice. We often agree we want to live in such away that we do most things for the relationship not just for one in the relationship. And we never forget birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
Living in a retirement community (since 2006) we end up having a lot more friends of both sexes, some shared and some personal. The staggering amount of activities has been a very valuable treasure for us to express ourselves and broaden our interests.
As for Valentine's Day Ed once gave Anne a single pearl on a gold chain which raised the consciousness of all the women we knew and of course their significant others. If one of us is a little blue, the other usually brings home some fresh flowers. Valentine's Day is fun, but we consider everyday Valentine's Day.
Carol & Robert Longsworth
We met at Duke University in our junior year at the Methodist College Fellowship. Our first solo date was to a Duke basketball game. We enjoyed each other so much neither one of us remembers which team was Duke’s opponent or who won the game. We graduated in June 1958 and were married that August, 67 years ago. We then headed off to grad school together. Six years later Bob had a PhD degree, I had a Master’s degree and together we had the first two of our three children.
Our relationship is strong as we share values, religious faith, family affection and history, many experiences, and a serious appreciation and love for one another.
We are not often asked for advice but have been told that our marriage is a model for our children and friends.
Living at Kendal (since 2011) has given us a chance to toss off many day-to-day responsibilities such as home and yard care, snow shoveling, constant cooking, etc. and provided more time for us to choose enrichment activities which we can experience either together or separately. We each enjoy and support the special interests of our partners such as literature and music.
Valentine’s Day is the day before Bob’s birthday. The common denominator is often chocolate!
Our morning routine: a hug and welcome to the day.
Goodnight: an expression of affection and gratitude.
