From Seventh Grade to Sunrise Ridge: The Dwyer Love Story

For Kendal at Lexington’s third Valentine’s Day highlight, today we are focusing on residents Bruce and Linda Dwyer.

Bruce and Linda’s journey began in 7th grade when Bruce relocated from Michigan to Linda’s small Ohio town. Their relationship didn’t kick off immediately (after all, they were only 13!); it wasn’t until their senior year of high school that they started dating, with their first date being a performance by the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) with the Springfield, OH Symphony Orchestra.

After navigating college, they tied the knot in 1964, opting for a low-key elopement across the Ohio River to Covington, Kentucky. Over the years, they amassed memories, like revisiting the MJQ thirty years later in a mountaintop winery in northern California and camping in Alaska on the summer solstice for their 53rd anniversary. The couple have two children.

Bruce and Linda attribute the longevity of their marriage to mutual respect and shared interests, finding fulfillment in spending time together during retirement.

“To quote Aretha “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”: Goals, Viewpoints, Interests,” said Linda. “We have been so fortunate to share these in common and bottom line, just enjoy spending time together. A valuable asset as you ‘retire’ and have more time to do just that!”

Their decision to move to Kendal at Lexington was prompted by a postcard showcasing the community’s fall vista. Impressed by the serene small-town vibe reminiscent of their upbringing, they joined the Kendal waitlist and jumped at the chance to move into one of the new Sunrise Ridge units.

“With some ‘due diligence’ and a ‘Try-it’ visit, we decided we could make the transition from urban to small-town environment and put our name on the Kendal wait list,” said Linda. “When we had the opportunity to sign up for one of the new Sunrise Ridge units, we ‘moved up’ our ‘move-in’ date and haven’t looked back!”