There are two very important days in Clair and Gloria Sterner’s love story: Tuesday, June 26, 2023 and Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024—the day they met and the day they got married. They credit their steadfast faith, their wonderful families and a shared love of ice cream for bringing them together so they can experience this type of partnership in this season of their life.
How it started:
Clair (age 90) and Gloria (age 82) did not know each other prior to moving into Country Meadows’ York-South campus, despite the fact that they both grew up in the York area and had a lot in common. Both moved to Country Meadows about three years ago. Clair had an apartment on the third floor with Gloria’s on the second. Their paths only crossed at mealtime, when Gloria sat with a few of Clair’s neighbors. Clair always greeted the ladies by name, and one day asked for Gloria’s. From then on, she also received the same kind hello to start the day. As time went on, they attended activities and spent more and more time together.
Then, on Monday, June 26, 2023, what started as a regularly scheduled off-campus activity turned into a life changing first date. On a beautiful summer day, both residents signed up to go to Fox Meadows Creamery as part of a trip organized by Dynamic Living. During the drive, the two chatted about their backgrounds, previous marriages and families. Over their favorite flavors of ice cream, the conversation continued and the two became inseparable—they “just seemed to click,” the couple described.
For Clair, he knew this day was special and kept the activities calendar for that month and still carries it with him.
“We became good friends and started seeing each other here (at Country Meadows),” described Clair. “We just really began to love each other,” continued Gloria. “That friendship developed into sincere love.”
The Big Day:
Gloria says when she moved into Country Meadows, she was looking to make friends but never expected to fall in love again. Clair and Gloria knew it was time to make it official when it got harder and harder to say good night at the end of the day. The couple came to the decision together to get married. Clair did ask, and Gloria (officially) said yes in November. A little over a month later, the two married at Pine Grove United Methodist Church on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 surrounded by their families. Gloria’s daughter served as her maid of honor, and her son walked her down the aisle. Gloria wore a beautiful gray dress and carried a white bible topped with roses. Clair sported a black suit and red tie. Both had beaming smiles on their faces the whole day. And still do!
“I feel very fortunate in many ways,” said Gloria. “I have two good kids, a wonderful husband—I never saw this coming.”
“There is no one else like her,” said Clair. “We do feel like God was all in the planning of this.”
Love and Ice Cream at Country Meadows:
The Sterners express a great deal of gratitude to Country Meadows staff for being a big part of their love story. For example, the many activities, musical guests and off-campus excursions (especially the ones to ice cream shops!) served as activities for the quality time Clair and Gloria spent together. Additionally, Garrett Kistler, an advisor at the York-South campus, helped them get settled into married life. When Garrett learned they were planning a wedding, he helped them consolidate their two separate apartments so they could move into a newly renovated apartment together—a perfect space that allows them to do their favorite things: spending time together, watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and enjoying the ice cream they have stashed in the freezer. Currently, their favorite flavors are raspberry and salted caramel pretzel, but they both agree, it changes with the season!
All our campuses are filled with stories of love and commitment. Couples have been married for decades and others who are getting a second chance at love. Read more about what life is like for our residents.
