GREAT FALLS – Several people put on their dancing shoes for the third annual Senior Senior Prom at the Grandview at Benefis.
Fritz and Tom Dillon were named Prom King and Queen. They have been married for 68 years.
They met on a blind date, became dancing partners, and somewhere in between, they fell in love.
“Those are the wonderful years, so enjoy them. They go by awfully fast,” said Fritz.
However, it isn’t as easy as it once was.
Tom has Alzheimer’s disease and Fritz visits him every day.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I thought maybe Grandview would be kicking me out, because I came so often, but they said no I could come anytime I wanted to.”
The couple is separated each night when she goes home and he stays at Grandview.
“It’s very, very hard. It’s not fun, but this is the way it has to be. We’ll just have to enjoy the moments we are together.”
But the next morning makes the time apart fade away.
“Today, he was sitting there with his hat on waiting for me to come so I guess he misses me too, don’t you? I’ll continue to come and see him every day. I can’t stay away.”
Even though they can’t dance like they once did, they embrace each other’s company.
Reporting by Kaley Collins for MTN News
