A YEAR and a hall age, 7$- year-old bavi Cooper met a blind date through a mutual friend. It was love at first sight. “bo oknew it) was her when she walked into the restaurant... we just got aldng like a charm... the craziest things happen."* After being alone for 12 years folowing his divorce, David is ready for a permanent relationship with a woman. **} belong to a men’s club, and every once in a while there's a dance... | love to dance and if you bring a different person each time, there isn’t the continuity." With his new partner, David has found tove and companionship. “We love to go for walks together... we embrace when we see each other and walk down the street holding hands."* David is hoping this relationship will lead to marriage. The message our culture often gives us is that love is only for the young and beautiful ard that people over 65 are no longer in- terested or suited for things such as romance and passion. While it is true that in later life it is more difficult to meet people, a growing number of people like David Cooper are proof that you're never too old to fall in love, and even remarry. In fact, even though remarriage is less likely as a person ages, more Ca- nadians over 65 than ever before are ‘‘tying the knot." Dr. Ellen Gee, Associate Pro- fessor af Saciolagy, on braser University says that aa of thease vetting remarried in this age groun are mien, “Men are more desirous of get- ting omarticd especially after widowhood because thes are used to being looked after and don't have us many skills around the home. Women after the bereavement process, feel freedom and sometimes don't want to get married again.” Seventy-vear-eld Dick Nells (not his real name) was a widower for 10 years before he met his new wife Beth. in those 10 years he spent a lot of nights at home alone. “Loneliness is not some- thing to be desired, that’s the only real reason to get married, to have company.”* Dick never would have considered living common- law as an alternative to marriage. “We were brought up in a dif- ferent. era: in our age living together wasn’t accepted and that feeling doesn’t leave you when you get old." According to Dr. Gee, remar- riage in later life provides more than) companionship. «Having another person around ‘s_ very good for mental health and in- Strumental in helping you cope with old age. For womer., remitr- riage is often financially advan- tageous. Also, if you are somewhat ill there is somebody who helps and plays an important support role.”* But like any relationship, KIDZ BIz CHILDEN’S CLOTHING CO. remarriage in tater Hte is nat Sithout iis problems. One of the first chaiferges an older coupte Maces is lerung vo at the tint amar. fiage. Tf one partne: is not finish. ed eriesing the loss of their first spouse, it will likely interfere with the new martitge. This is a hurdle that Dick and Beth are trving to get over. CUAL first Beth was a little concerned about pictures of my first wife around and f just took them down and thev're filed away. As time Progresses we'll probably put thems back up.” Another factor that can take or break a rematriage is the aec- ceplanee or resistance of adult children to their parent’s new marriage. Dr. Gee says this is a very common problem. “Children vet concerned that the new spouse is xzoing to come and take their in- heritance. And there are other psychological and emotional fac- ALL LIVING ROOMS DINING ROOMS RECLINERS SWIVEL ROCKERS DINETTES SOFA BEDS TABLES MATTRESSES OCCASIONAL TABLES ae ae subrey Schneider Wednesday. Augus! 28, 1991 - North Shore News ~ 19 More people ‘tying the knot’ later in life tors imoalved fyen though the children are adults and have their own doves. thes don't feel their mother oor father should be rephiced.* Diastd Cooper has reassured his Children that his remarriage would not intertere with their inherita- nee. Phes think my new fady is fabulous and are vers positive. They say about money “tather, vou nade the moneys, now sou spend it.*" But many adult children are not as accepuine of their parent’. new partner, Dick Nelly was not prepared for the reactinn he got from his children. ‘They were very. very upset. They fetr fb was abandoning them and thes were voing to have to be second place to # woman who they didn’t even know. They wouldn't come to the wedding. My daughter said it was stther her, or them... one or the other.” Although Dick did marry Beth A bargain event with unprecedented price cuts. All brand names and top quality furniture and mattresses. Hurry In! FURNITURELAND 111 EAST 3RD STREET, NORTH VANCOUVER $86-1361 Ino spite at his children’s opposi- ion, he says this does pur pressure oon their marriage. “There ts no way to have a happy marriage unless you have all the family tovether."* When 73-year-old Elizabeth Ross planned to remarry four sears ago. her children were not ve Adult paze 21 FREE Hot Oil Treatment with complete hair service HELEN ULK. Vidal Sassoon trained DIANE’S HAIR DESIGN 2953 Lansdale Ave. 984-0783 (Next to Queen’s Cross Pub) ALL SOFAS LOVE SEATS BUNK BEDS YOUTH FURNITURE DESKS PLANT STANDS BEDROOM SUITES ENTMNT CENTRES SALE ENDS AUGUST 31 * - 5 or