With Valentine’s Day festivities going on throughout Union City, many senior citizens were in good spirits and enjoying time with their loved ones last week. Pedro and Maria Flores have been married almost 45 years and were out and about on the weekend. “It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day for us to say we love each other,” said Maria, who added that she was as in love with her husband as when she first met him. “But it’s nice to see that others have done such nice things for us. Not everyone has a lover and some have even lost their significant others, so just showing that you care with those around you makes even today very special.” Starting on Saturday, Feb. 12, the city was buzzing with the events for seniors to celebrate the holiday. Mayor Rudy Garcia threw a party for Senior Sweethearts at Union Hill High School Saturday afternoon, the students of St. Francis Academy brought Valentine’s Day gifts to seniors at the Castle Hill Nursing Home on Monday and a gala was hosted by Congressman Bob Menendez at Schutzen Park over the weekend. Amparo Carranza said the festivities were memorable. “I didn’t have a Valentine this year, but I had a wonderful time with my friends,” said the 76-year-old senior, who has lived in the city for 30 years and is a daily visitor to the 2nd Home Day Care facility. “People think when you get older, you can’t enjoy the romance of it all. I’ve enjoyed the fun, the laughter and the thrill of still feeling good about myself and those I love. I may not have a special Valentine, but everyone who shares in my life was that funny Valentine to me.” Ernesto Salba, who spent the holiday with his wife Yolanda at home, says that after 37 years they have learned the simple truths about sustaining love in a marriage. “When you’re young, you get a big kick out of a holiday of love, candy and flowers,” he said. “But when you’ve been with someone as long as I have been with my wife, you appreciate the little things, like just being together and learning from one another. Young people could learn a lot if they realized that love is from the heart and that is priceless.”
Our Digital Archive from 2000 – 2016
