Two friends bond over their grief, find hope and develop a fairy-tale romance 

By Meghann Finn Sepulveda

You can say that it was meant to be for Barbara O’Donnell and Bob Scriver. The Colonnade residents were not looking for love when their relationship began in 2015. Both had recently lost their spouses of more than 50 years and were adjusting to their new life. A casual visit to the nearby dog park sparked a friendship and a bond that quickly turned into their love story.

Similar backgrounds

Regular visits to the dog park with her Bichon Frise, Ziggy, helped Barbara open up to Bob about the loss of her husband, who had recently passed away from cancer. Bob, a former aerospace and computer design engineer, also spent time at the same dog park with Maxx, a West Highland White Terrier. Bob had lost his wife the prior year and struggled with feelings of grief and loneliness before he also sold his Sun City Grand home and moved into The Colonnade.

After a short amount of time, the two discovered they had a lot in common – including their love for dogs – and conversations felt natural and easy.

“He was very understanding,” says Barbara. “He saved me from going through the same thing he had gone through and helped make that time in my life all right.”

In addition to bonding over their grief, Barbara and Bob, both in their 80s, learned each called Michigan home, were proud grandparents and liked to travel.

“We had wonderful marriages and families,” Barbara says. “We were able to share those happy memories together.”

Spending more time together

Trips to the dog park led to walks around the neighborhood with Ziggy and Maxx, who the couple says, played a large part in their blossoming relationship.

“They used to cross leashes,” Barbara says with a laugh. “It seemed like they wanted to bring us together.”

They did.

“After walking the dogs one day, Barbara said, ‘Could I have a hug?’” says Bob. “It was really nice.”

Those walks eventually turned into dinners and outings to the movies.

Their friendship quickly developed into something more, but it wasn’t until Bob’s 80th birthday celebration in May that the couple had their first “official” date and realized they were falling in love.

“It happened very fast,” Barbara says. “It surprised us both.”

Soon after, Bob offered Barbara a key to his casita, which was located on the next block, and asked if she would move in.

“I didn’t accept it at first, but it got me thinking,” she says.

A few weeks later Bob asked again, but this time he presented the key in a nice box which was wrapped in a bow.

“It was very romantic,” Barbara says. “We both knew it was right.”

She said, “Yes.”

A second life

It didn’t take long for Bob and Barbara, a retired school teacher and antique shop owner, to combine their households and start a new life together.

Today, the couple enjoys spending their days at home and doing the things they love such as watching sports, playing cards, going to church and getting together for brunch with friends.

When they’re not together, Bob is usually volunteering at the Arizona Challenger Space Center in Peoria or admiring his 1963 Thunderbird convertible. Barbara spends her free time sharpening her putting skills on the golf course.

The couple, who also are travel enthusiasts, has taken road trips to Canada, Mexico and across the country, enjoyed cruises and relaxed on beach vacations. They are currently preparing for their next getaway.

While they aren’t planning to get married anytime soon, both are thankful they found one another and fell in love. They plan to share the rest of the lives living happy and healthy together.

“We are committed to each other,” Barbara says. “It was destiny.”