'You really feel it in your heart': Seniors share their love and dating wisdom

When MarieMcCrindlesaw her first love from across the room, she knew hewanted to talk to her, but wastoo shy so she approached him.

"That'show it worked out with me," she said. "The attraction becomes stronger as time goes on."

But it's not all poems and love songs from there, McCrindlesaid, andthere are many hurdles couples must overcome to be happy, and stay happy.

"Talk a lot, but also show affection, whetherit be a hug or kiss," she said.

And listen, she added, reallylisten.

She was one of several residents ofFairviewNursing Home, located in the city's west end,who sat with strangers Monday to share their love tips and tricks aheadof Valentine's Day, as part of aninitiativeorganized by the home's parent company,SchlegelVillages.

Sitting on a green #elderwisdom bench, McCrindlesharedmemories from her past.

Everyone has their own quirks, she said, which can become extremely irritating over time. But she added thatlaughter is the solution to overcoming these nerve-grating habits.

"If you can't laugh at yourself and you can't laugh at them, what's the use?"

"If youdon'thave a good sense of humour, you could be doomed."

And she saidwhileyounger generations seem to move away from traditional customs, such as marriage, she believes they still hold value.

"You have a companion for life," she said. "True love really exists in lasting love."

'We were together all the time'

Sally Lines met her husband when they were kids. After drifting apart for several years, she said they reconnected when she was 18.

"We enjoyed each other, so we got married," she said.

After 23 years of marriage, Lines now has three sons and two grandchildren.

"I've had a good life with my husband;I just lost him a year ago."

Lines said she and her husband made an effort to listen to one another, and get to know each other's friends.

"You have to share things, share your troubles with each other," she said. "We were together all the time."

First, be happy by yourself, senior says

But resident Carole McNeilsaidknowing you've found the person you're supposed to be with is more than just enjoying their companyit's a feeling.

"You can actually feel it," she said. "Like, that's the person I want to meet, that's the person Iwant to be with."

To make a relationship last, she said,the most important thing you need is trust.

But you also have to be happy as your own individual, she added.

"If you're not happy with yourself, you can't be happy with anybody else."

In addition to trust, residentBobRooksaida good relationship requires compromise.

"You have to work hard at it," he said."You have to know when to be a little more understanding."

Chocolate, wine, or flowers?

Rook met someone at hisnursing home, and saysthey "hit it off."

He decided flowers are the best Valentine's Day gift, which he plans to give her Thursday.

He's not the only one who thinks flowers are a classic choice.

"I love flowers a bottle of wine would be nice with itand [to] sit and enjoy each other's company," Lines said.

And when asked if she'd prefer chocolates or flowers, McCrindleput it simply:

"Flowers. I'm on a diet."