Grove Life | Winter 2021

Member Milestones &Memories By Annie Sanchez M ister Rogers taught us about kindness, wonder, and even gave us a tip to, “Look for the Helpers” in times of crisis. Reflecting on the timesless messages of Fred Rogers, generally evokes feelings of comfort and brings memories of the famous Neighborhood. Inspired by nostalgia, we asked these members to share some of their favorites Milestones and Memories.

Bob & Sylvia Robbins 60 years of Marriage Boca Grove Members since 1999

How did you meet? Sylvia: We met at a United Jewish Appeal Cocktail Party that was hosting an afternoon fundraiser at the Harwyn Club in New York. I was sitting at the bar and Bob and I got talking. He asked me to dinner at the Harwyn Club, but I wanted to eat at a restaurant, so he took me to a French restaurant. We had a nice dinner, but there was no kiss and no goodbye. Bob: We went to a UJA fundraiser cocktail party. We were both sitting at the bar and I asked her if she wanted to join me for dinner. When did you know that you were in love?

Sylvia: The day I met him. I was 26 years old, which was considered a mature age to be unmarried in those times. My mother had asked me if I met anyone and I told her I met the man I was going to marry. He was great, fun, a good sport, and took me to great restaurants. He did give me a hard time though because I didn’t hear from him until after his cruise to Europe. Bob: I knew I wanted to marry Sylvia when I was on a cruise ship for Christmas in 1959. I missed her so much that I got off on one of the stops and called her to make a date with her. We were married 3 months later. What has been the hardest and easiest elements of staying married? Sylvia: There is nothing hard about it; it’s the way it was. He’s been there for everything I need. I had wonderful in-laws. My mother-in-law treated me like a daughter. Bob: When you’re married you have to let your spouse have their way when you really want to do something else. You have to compromise and make adjustments to what is going on. Like when I wanted to take the kids outside and play and have fun and when Sylvia wanted to visit friends or family and dress the kids up. The easiest part is you don’t have to think sometimes and you don’t have to fight about a garbage issue. You know what your partner needs. What advice can you give to other couples? Sylvia: Everything is so individual. However it works for them it works different for you. We’ve had a wonderful life together.

Bob: You have to compromise on issues. If there is no compromise, there is a constant war. Don’t get so upset about your things being done a certain way. We have to make concessions to what the other person wants to do. We didn’t want to fight about every issue.

“It’s not so much what we have in this life that matters. It’s what we do with what we have” ~ Mister Rogers

Vision Inspire and enable members to enjoy every day of their lives.

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