July 16, 2015 (Mt. Airy, NC) ─ When Hilda Houpe, 76, and Troy Johnson, 80, began planning their wedding, they knew the perfect location. Right where they met and got engaged at Twelve Oaks, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Mt. Airy.

“It was love at first sight and I knew I had to have her,” said Troy.

Hilda, on the other hand, was not looking to get married again, but she fell for Troy because he’s “such a loving person.”

A native of Mt. Airy, Troy moved into Twelve Oaks in October of 2013. Hilda, a native of Ararat, Virginia, moved to Twelve Oaks in July 2014. They met and got to know one another better over meals in the dining room. Hilda said Troy helped her deal with the deaths of her daughter and grandchildren while Hilda helped Troy get through the death of his first wife Wanda, who died of leukemia. Both agreed that their desire to find companionship helped them find love later in life with one another.

Troy was a textile worker who retired in 1969. He was in the Army for two years. Hilda worked at Sara Lee Hosiery for 30 years, returning to school to become a certified nursing assistant at the age of 55. She retired as a CNA at the age of 70.

On Friday, June 26, friends, family, and Twelve Oaks residents and staff gathered to watch Hilda and Troy tie the knot. Troy has one son, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Hilda has one living daughter, two deceased daughters, two living grandchildren, two deceased grandsons, and two great-grandchildren. Hilda’s grandson walked her down the aisle.

For more information about Twelve Oaks, please contact Administrator Penny Haynes at (336) 786-1130 or visit us on Facebook.