HC-One’s Godden Lodge Care Home in Thundersley, Benfleet, Essex, celebrated love and connections ahead of Valentine’s Day on Friday 14
th February by hosting a special dining experience for residents.
Godden Lodge Care Home organised a special intimate and private Valentine’s Day meal experience for couples, creating a romantic environment filled with love and joy. On Friday February 7, Cephas Community at Godden Lodge Care Home arranged a special romantic day for David Grove and Pat Grove, who live on the Cephas Community.
Residents Pat Grove, aged 93, and David Grove, aged 93, have revealed their beautiful journey of love, family, joy and adventure. Both David and Pat come from humble backgrounds and beginnings.
Pat was born on February 21, 1932, and she worked as a Graphic Artist and continued working until she was married. She is still very artistic, and you can see her creativity in her makeup every day.
David, who was born on July 11, 1932, and he worked as an electrician and ran his own business for some time. Later in life, David worked for Price Waterhouse as a Chief Engineer in London.
Pat and David first met at a church social group in 1945 – when they crossed paths and soon began courting. Pat and David were both 13-years-old when they first met, which sparked a lifelong partnership that was built on their shared dreams and deep affection for each another.
After a courtship, David proposed to Pat and they were married at their local church in the East Ham area on April 21, 1951, when David was 18 and Pat was 19. Both lived through the war with evacuation and rationing in 1951.
They married quickly due to David being sent for National Service in Egypt. Pat and David soon started a family thereafter, having two children, a daughter and son called Gill and Larry which led to their five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Later in life, they both moved into Godden Lodge Care Home in July 2024, where they both found their new home together.
When asked what their secret is to a happy marriage, David and Pat Grove commented:
"Never spending a day apart from each other - we have never spent a day apart since David came back from doing his National Service in Egypt. The mind forgets but the heart will always remember.”
Due to Pat’s health rapidly deteriorating, the team made the decision to bring the celebration forward to celebrate multiple occasions, including 74 years of marriage, Pat’s 93rd Birthday, and Valentine’s Day. David presented Pat with a beautiful bouquet arrangement of flowers, birthday card and cake.
David and Pat’s family also attended to celebrate the special event with them. The team at
Godden Lodge Care Home went above and beyond in transforming the home into a romantic oasis.
The home was decorated especially for the occasion, including the tables being dressed with rose petals, accompanied by wine and chocolate, and personalised name tags with the couples’ names on. The attention to detail was designed to create a memorable and magical atmosphere for the couple.
The experience provided the couples with a unique opportunity to spend quality time together, cherish moments of togetherness and reminisce about memories spent together.
Lewis Chester, Home Manager at HC-One’s Godden Lodge Care Home, said:
“It was so lovely and heartwarming to see residents including Mr and Mrs Grove at Godden Lodge Care Home spending quality time together by enjoying a romantic meal together and spreading the love. Seeing the big smiles on their faces made it all worthwhile.”
Gill and Larry Grove, daughter and son of Pat and David Grove who are residents at HC-One’s Godden Lodge Care Home, commented:
“Our parents were taken ill at the same time and could no longer manage independent living, so it was arranged for them both to go directly to Godden Lodge as it was my mother’s dying wish.
“Godden Lodge could not have been more caring or helpful. The Home Manager arranged for them to be placed in the same community so that they could be together.
“Sadly, our mother is now receiving end of life care, and I have to say we could not have asked for better support during this difficult time. All of the staff go above and beyond for our parents. We are always greeted with a smile or kind words; nothing seems too much trouble for the staff.
“Lewis Chester, Home Manager, Eva Mae Mendiola, Cephas Unit Manager and Hayley Smith, Wellbeing Coordinator, came together to organise an early birthday party and Valentine’s Day celebration for our mother. It was a day that brought tears to our eyes, and I know this meant an awful lot to our mother and to us. She loved the photo montage of pictures from their life, received some beautiful flowers, balloons, cakes and even the bubble machine!”
For more information on HC-One homes in your area visit
www.hc-one.co.uk/carehomes.