Residents and staff at Woodlands View Care Home in Stevenage are celebrating an extraordinary love story this Valentine’s Day, as residents Sheila and John Aldrin mark an incredible 66 years of marriage.
Sheila and John first met in the most romantic of ways, on the dance floor at the Hitchin Hermitage dance hall in 1957. Both passionate dancers, the pair quickly discovered they shared not only a love of jive and music but also an instant connection that would last a lifetime.
“We fell in love almost immediately,” the couple say. “And we still feel the same to this day.”
Their whirlwind romance led to wedding bells at Clifton Church of England in Bedfordshire, where they began their lifelong journey together. John, born in Elstree, Bedfordshire, and Sheila, born in Rugeley, Staffordshire while her father was serving in the RAF, went on to build a family full of love and adventure. Together they raised two children, a son and a daughter, and today their family includes four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, with their love story now spanning generations.
To mark both Valentine’s Day and their remarkable anniversary on 30th January 2026, the Woodlands View team organised a special celebration for the couple, complete with themed decorations and a celebratory cake.
Desire Varcoe, Unit Manager at Woodlands View, said:
“Sheila and John’s story is a beautiful reminder of what true love looks like. We wanted to celebrate their incredible journey and show how much they mean to our Woodlands View family.”
Senior Carer Robin Cooper added:
“It was such a joy to celebrate with them. They are always smiling and so supportive of one another, it’s really inspiring.”
Sheila Aldrin said she was touched by the celebration:
“I was so shocked and happy. It truly meant a lot to see how much effort the staff had put into making the day special for John and me. The decorations and the cake were absolutely lovely.”
Woodlands View Care Home is proud to celebrate stories like Sheila and John’s, highlighting the power of love, companionship, and shared memories at every stage of life.
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Woodlands View - Care home in Stevenage, Hertfordshire | HC One