MESA, Ariz. (Feb. 13, 2019) -- A good love story is always timely, but it’s even better with Valentine’s Day around the corner.

Rosalie Miller says her husband Bernie is an answer to her prayers. Bernie is the shy one, but he’s quick to say, “And, they lived happily ever after.” At age 85 and 88 respectively, Rosalie and Bernie’s love story endures, as they approach their 19-year wedding anniversary this July.

The couple met in March 2000 at Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa when they were both volunteers. Even though Bernie is the shy one, he approached the three ladies staffing the hospital welcome desk and introduced himself. He asked the women if they had email, and Rosalie, who had just gotten an email address, said she did, so they exchanged addresses. He emailed her that night.

“I had been praying for a sign,” said Rosalie, whose husband had passed away four years earlier. “I said, ‘Lord, help me not to choose on my own.’” Bernie was her sign, and they were married four months later.

The news shocked her six kids and his three. “We told them we were getting married, and they all said ‘You’re gonna do what?,’” said Rosalie. “Even our fellow volunteers just shook their heads in disbelief. But, I guess we knew what we were doing.”

Rosalie said their shared faith is at the center of their relationship. Even though the courtship was brief, she said they talked about everything beforehand and knew they could make it work.

The couple continues to volunteer, with both giving four hours each week at Banner Baywood and four hours at Banner Gateway Medical Center in Gilbert. Eight hours per week times two, since the late ‘90s, is a lot of time giving back to others.

Bernie said he started volunteering because he, “wanted to help people out as a way of paying back others who have helped me.” Rosalie began as a way to force herself to get out of the house and out of a rut.

Neither knew they would meet the love of their life, but that’s what happened and they’re living happily ever after.
 

About Banner Baywood Medical Center

Banner Baywood Medical Center is an acute care hospital in Mesa, Arizona. The hospital is a Primary Stroke Center and also offers orthopedics, emergency care, surgery, cancer care and acute rehabilitation. The 50,000 square-foot Emergency department offers advanced Emergency care and medical imaging technology. For more information, visit www.BannerHealth.com/Baywood.