First love at long last

Two lovebirds tied the knot earlier this month at the place they first met, the Aventura Plaza Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Carlos Suarez, 90, met Maria Cobar, 80, after he moved in across the hall eight months ago. She was room 407, he was room 404. They met in the hallway, she gave him a tour and then he tagged along to  her favorite arts and crafts .

"It was love at first sight," Suarez told the Miami Herald. "When I saw her, my heart filled with joy."

They’ve been inseparable ever since and are affectionately known as the love birds of the North Miami Beach complex.

The nursing home's activities coordinator organized the wedding. Aventura provided the venue, balloons and musical entertainment. Employees chipped in to surprise the happy couple with a mariachi band for dancing. 

"This is the first wedding we have had at our facilities," said Elaine Bloom, president and CEO of Plaza Health Network, which owns Aventura. "We feel so blessed that they chose to have the ceremony here to share with all of us who care for them so much."

The newlyweds now live in honeymoon suite at Aventura and will take their first trip as a couple to spend the day at Cobar's daughter this Thanksgiving.  

Watch a photo story below: 

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.