When Susan Buksa decided to move into an independent living community about a year ago, she went with a little trepidation.
The 69-year-old was feeling better and stronger after suffering for years with Lyme disease, and wasn't sure she was ready to give up a home in the community just yet. She had looked at a few places in Calgary and remained hesitant, but friends convinced her an independent senior living community was the way to go.
On moving day to Lakeshore Manor in Chestermere, Buksa said she heard a low voice asking if she needed any help.
"It was like a light bulb went off. I knew right away it was him," she said. "Within a few weeks we had a date, and we've not been apart ever since. He's my dream man."
"Well, she's my dream gal," added the man in question: Frank Heon, an 80-year-old widower and former owner of a trucking business.
Heon was the first resident at Lakeshore Manor when it opened in Chestermere in 2020. "I had no plan to meet someone and marry again, but Susan came along and ended all that," he said.
Though Heon said other residents ribbed him about 'robbing the cradle' with Susan, he admits she's 'easy on the eyes and very smart – I can't go wrong.'
He added it all gave him a new lease on life to move in together and plan a wedding. Though, Heon admitted, Buksa did much of the planning for the late April nuptials.
"At this stage of life, we're comfortable; there were no nerves about getting married. We just figured, why wait?" laughed Buksa, adding since they spend all their time together, it's wiser (and cheaper) to tie the knot.
The pair had already morphed their adjacent two suites into one, with Frank's serving as the living/dining space, and Buksa's as their bedroom. "Frank is loving and affectionate, a very kind and social man. Love found us and has enlivened us both," she said.
For Lakeshore Manor general manager Shannon Fetterly, hosting a wedding for a couple in one of her residences has long been on her bucket list.
Fetterly sent out invitations for the couple, and found just the right spot in the dining area to host a small weekday afternoon ceremony (for about a dozen family and friends); Buksa in her dazzling fuchsia dress and Heon in a shirt, tie, and sport jacket.
"The residents got so excited, some asking if they should dress up for the occasion too," she said. "We become like family here, so we've all seen the relationship blossom, and now we got to share their joy too."
She added though the couple had requested there be no gifts, Lakeshore staff and residents gave the couple an evening out; dinner and a show at Stage West Dinner Theatre in Calgary.
As for the reception, which was held at suppertime for Lakeshore Manor's 40 residents, the menu included salmon and chicken with rice and vegetables, by request of the happy couple, with a black forest wedding cake, and a first dance to cap off the event to the tune of Celine Dion's 'The Power of Love'.
For a honeymoon, Buksa said she and Heon hope to travel to the U.S. or B.C. at some point this summer – and the very independent couple said they'll do the driving.
"We appreciate all the well wishes," added Buksa who is taking Heon's name after they are wed. (Heon has long since been posting the pair as 'Mr. and Mrs.' on the suite's front door.)
"You never think something like this could happen when you move into a senior's residence. You figure that part of life is over. But we're over the moon in love," affirmed Buksa. "We both say after each of our past trials in life, this is meant to be. The good Lord brought us here, together."
