A Valentine’s Day of Reminiscing

Valentine’s Day was extra special this year for Benetas Lovell House resident June Little and her husband of 66 years Ian.

The couple celebrated Valentine’s Day with a beautiful high tea hosted by the Caulfield North aged care facility, with Ian arriving on the day with a bunch of red roses for his wife.

June, who has been a resident at Benetas for just over one year, is visited every day by Ian, who describes their love as having “been around the world and back again.”

Benetas CEO Sandra Hills said Benetas is committed to celebrating the important bond between families when a loved one enters residential aged care.

“June and Ian Little’s love story is well known throughout the Benetas community, and staff at Benetas Lovell House look forward to Ian’s visits and say he is really part of the family.

 “The wonderful staff at all Benetas sites, including Benetas Lovell House, have strong relationships with the family members of their residents and often organise special events.

“In fact, June and Ian celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary last year and staff organised a special afternoon tea for them here at the facility.

“Benetas recognises the need to provide services that are customised to the individual needs of residents and their families, and in doing so developed a model of care that has become the hallmark of the sense of community here at Benetas Lovell House,” said Ms Hills.

June and Ian met at work in 1946 and after overhearing June talking about making a white satin frock with a full long skirt, Ian offered to take her out to a dance to show off the new outfit as their first date!

The Littles’ advice for the secret to a long and happy marriage? 

 “Never go to bed annoyed, always kiss and say goodnight, then say ‘good morning darling’ when you wake up,” said Ian.

“Also, take an interest in what each other are doing, talk things out and talk things over.

“We have a wonderful companionship.”