On March 1, 2014, I married Nanette Rudolf.  As most of you know, Nanette is our Foundation Director of Development. It was a very simple ceremony – Nanette, myself and a Florida notary. Each of us brought one couple to witness our marriage.

We were married under the banyan tree located on the Key West Lighthouse property. We stayed at the adjoining Lighthouse Court Hotel across the street from the Hemingway Home and Museum. During the weekend, we had fun going to many of the tourist attractions Key West has to offer. We ate a lot of good food, and enjoyed a number of desserts.

Nanette and I have been together since the end of last April, when we took our dogs for a walk. Jack and Sanibel hit it off immediately so the walks and talks continued.

I asked her to marry me on Christmas morning in my church after the candlelight service. We saw little purpose in a long engagement and felt it would be easier for everyone to simply elope and forego the details of a wedding ceremony. We are planning a service soon to have our church bless the marriage.

I am so grateful for the love I have experienced working here at John Knox Village. The Village has so many positive-minded residents, who nurtured me following the passing of Dee. I admire our residents who made the choice to live each day to its fullest.

They are residents who taught me that the secret to a long and happy life is to make a plan, and then work toward accomplishing goals. The same residents who choose to live among friends and share good times together.

I am also very grateful for the love I experience each day with Nanette. She has never challenged the love I felt for Dee. She taught me that my heart was big enough to enjoy the beautiful time I experienced in the past, while living each day and creating new memories. One life doesn’t supplant the other. Nanette is a gift from God, who I will treasure and dream with into the future.

This is the spirit of John Knox Village! While respecting and enjoying the memories of our prior live(s), we commit to make the most of each day. John Knox Village facilitates this plan with help from friendly staff and fellow residents.

Our residents trade in the chores of their prior homes they loved (and will always love) with a plan of services and care that free them to live well.

-Mark Olson, Director of JKV Sales and Marketing