Otterbein St. Marys couple Jim and Sandie L. met in 1963 at the very location where they have now retired. They were both counselors at Camp St. Marys, a church camp held on the grounds where Otterbein St. Marys is currently located.
Meeting at Camp St. Marys
Camp St. Marys took place at Evangelical United Brethren in St. Marys, Ohio. This is where Jim and Sandie’s story began.
Jim and Sandie met while on a church camp outing to the Auglaize County Fair. Sandie asked Jim what time they needed to meet to head back to camp, and he mistook her question as flirting with him.
And for a while after that misunderstanding, Sandie didn’t particularly care for Jim. However, as they got to know each other more, their feelings changed, and they started to date later that year.
Retiring to Otterbein St. Marys
In their 70s, Jim and Sandie started to think about retiring and where they’d like to enjoy those years together.
“When it was time to retire, we knew of Otterbein, so we came to visit — and decided to make this home,” Sandie said. “So it just seemed ironic to us. This is where we met, and this is where we’re going to be — so full circle, I guess.”
Jim and Sandie settled into their new lifestyle and have been living each day to the fullest.
“You can’t be lonely here — you can’t be sad here,” Sandie said. “You can do as much as you want or as little as you want.“
Both Jim and Sandie appreciate that everyone is friendly and welcoming.
“Everyone is so friendly. I have really, really been happy with everybody’s sense of love,” Sandie added. “It was perfect for us.”
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Making New Memories and New Friends
Jim and Sandie admitted that giving up stuff and downsizing to their new home at Otterbein St. Marys was difficult at times.
But Jim stressed the importance of following the words he’d lived by since high school. “The past is forever gone, but the future is still our own,” he shared.
“It’s the time in our life to make new memories,” Sandie added.
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Experiencing Life at Otterbein St. Marys
Are you ready to experience Otterbein St. Marys and enjoy maintenance-free lakeside living? Check out our homepage to learn about our amenities and floor plans. You’ll also have the opportunity to view additional video testimonials.
