Let Love Guide the Way

 At the age of 10 Denise already knew what she wanted to do with her life. Leaving her home state, meeting new people, and having adventures was at the top of her list. She was going to achieve this by becoming a flight attendant, just like her next door neighbor.

She requested applications from various airlines and kept them in a drawer, so that she knew what she had to do for the next decade to be eligible for hire once she turned 21.

“It’s crazy looking back now – most ten year olds didn’t do that – but I just knew that’s what I wanted to do,” says Denise.

Thirteen years later she did just that. After attending college and working as a receptionist for a few years, she started submitting her applications. At 23 years old, she finally realized her dream when she moved to New York to work for United Airlines.

Denise recalls how she couldn’t wait to talk to people as a new flight attendant. A middle child with two brothers, Denise had to be outgoing lest she be overshadowed by her boisterous brothers. So when she finally landed her dream job her friendly personality was an asset. She could talk to pretty much anyone, including a certain someone named Regis.

Denise met Regis when she was still a new employee. Regis was in charge of scheduling flight attendants for United, and fraternization with the flight attendants was strictly forbidden. But that didn’t stop the two from striking up a friendly, flirtatious relationship.

Regis had recently run the New York City Marathon. So, one day, while he was sitting at his desk Denise walked around the desk, touched his legs and asked flirtatiously, “Are these the legs that ran the marathon?” Regis called her up that very same night and asked her out on a date.

Due to United’s rule that prevented them from officially dating, they had to keep the relationship secret for quite some time, even after the two moved in together. But after about a year they walked into a work party holding hands, finally making their relationship public. People were shocked, but luckily they didn’t get in trouble.

After five years United shrunk their New York base, and Denise was given the choice between relocating to Chicago or Denver. She chose Denver.

“I always had a love affair with Colorado,” she explains.

Regis was not long in following her to Denver, and shortly after they were married, and eventually had three kids: Molly, Kathleen and Patrick.

Many seniors are struggling with the isolating challenges of aging in their own homes and communities, or if someone is not yet a senior, they have loved ones who are facing those challenges. At Boulder County CareConnect we connect seniors with people like Denise, helping them to flourish in their community.

Join us today to provide important services and relationships to your senior neighbors.