A Lifetime Together, a New Chapter Ahead
Ellen Henson and Sandy Robeson are enjoying the benefits of the Brookridge waitlist, coming to campus at least once a month to experience the community they look forward to joining.
On a sunny summer afternoon, they sat in the café and reminisced about their lives. And during this Pride Month, they have reason to look back and appreciate how much things have changed for them during their lives.
They met in 1968 at a YMCA camp in the mountains of North Carolina. Drawn together by their love of the outdoors, they remained friends for 16 years before their relationship turned into something more.
“Things have come really far,” Ellen said about LGBTQ rights and society’s acceptance of their relationship.
Ellen and Sandy were a couple for three decades before they were legally allowed to marry. They traveled to Maryland in 2014 to be wed, because gay marriage was still illegal at that time in North Carolina.
“Being able to be married has really made a difference,” she said. “Because you know, back in the old days Sandy would not be considered family. If it’s family only at the hospital, then you know the doctor wouldn’t give any information or that kind of thing, you know. But now, since marriage has been legalized — I really think a lot of things have changed.”
That doesn’t mean there’s not still a long way to go toward being treated with equal rights and respect by everyone, she said, but overall society is much more accepting than when they first got together.
Sandy and Ellen gave the example of their friendly neighbors on their cozy cul-de-sac in Welcome. They downsized to move there in 2014 after selling their place in the country near Tobaccoville that had been their dream. They had loved to stock their pond for fishing, and Sandy cultivated a raised bed garden while Ellen kept bees. They spent their careers in Winston-Salem. Sandy worked for the city as a construction specialist on projects like the convention center, the fairgrounds and the colosseum — projects that have shaped the identity of the city.
“I’d like to say they are holding up really well,” she said of the buildings.
Ellen was a medical and scientific photographer at the medical school at Wake Forest. She retired in 2011 and their lives slowed down a bit.
They’d planned to age in place in Welcome, but with no children or other family supports close by they eventually decided to look into a retirement home. About a year and a half ago, they started touring all the retirement communities in the area.
They were already aware of Brookridge. They’d found a place for Sandy’s mom there in the ‘90s. But when they finally toured for themselves they were surprised at how much had changed and fell for the beautiful wooded campus. They love the dining — paying top compliments to Chef Shane and his team — and are looking forward to getting involved in all the activities.
“We love the small community aspect of this,” Ellen said. “I feel like we’ll get to know most of the people.” The residents she’s met so far have been welcoming and friendly. While they were visiting campus on this day, several people stopped to greet them, having met them on previous visits.
For Ellen and Sandy, the journey has not always been easy. But today, as they look ahead to their future at Brookridge, it is filled with the same things that first drew them together decades ago: connection, joy and a sense of home. This Pride Month and beyond, ThriveMore is honored to be part of that next chapter, welcoming every story and every person with openness and care.