Moving into a senior living community often comes with mixed emotions, from leaving a longtime home to adjusting to a new environment. For Joy and Donna, those feelings quickly gave way to something unexpected: a close friendship that began within days of moving into The Pines of Richfield.
A New Friendship in a Time of Transition
On November 5, 2025, Joy moved to The Pines from a south Minneapolis home where she had lived for 38 years. After her husband passed away in 2024, Joy’s children and neurologist encouraged her to move somewhere without stairs. While searching for independent living in the Twin Cities, she found The Pines, in a familiar area just 10 minutes from her former house.
Donna moved into an assisted living apartment home just one day later. Originally from Tennessee, she had moved to Minnesota to be near her daughter, who lives about five miles from The Pines. While considering another senior living option, she opted for this assisted living community in Richfield, Minnesota.
They met at a Sunday sing-along and quickly learned they had a lot in common, including similar ages and numbers of children and grandchildren.
“I gave her a hug and said, ‘Will you be my friend?’ or something like that,” Joy says.
“I was happy I met somebody who wanted to be friends,” Donna says.
What Makes Their Friendship Work
Donna and Joy complement each other well. They have a shared sense of humor, enjoy meeting people, and stay socially engaged within the community, spending time with other friends, as well.
Joy says Donna “has a lot of kid in her,” doesn’t take herself too seriously, and has a good attitude. One characteristic in general really makes her stand out.
“She has the best laugh in all of The Pines,” Joy says. “That’s what’s so much fun about Donna when we go to games. When she laughs, everybody laughs.”
Fittingly, Joy is good at lifting others’ spirits.
“She’s just fun to see,” Donna says. “She makes me happy if I get down or something.”
Activities that Help Build Friendships
Joy is very active in senior living activities and has introduced Donna to some of them. One game in particular stands out.
“I said, ‘There’s a game I think you’ll like: Left, Right, Center,’” Joy says. “She’s a riot at Left, Right, Center … It took a few rounds for her to figure it out. She entertained us all. She kept passing dice instead of nickels. Now, she’s really good at it.”
How Social Connections Improve Life in Senior Living
Weekly Wednesday happy hours have become a regular pastime for Joy and Donna.
“Probably our favorite thing is happy hour,” Joy says. “We do real well drinking together for two hours every Wednesday.”
They both have their go-to beverages: Bailey’s for Joy and white wine for Donna.
They note that Donna’s daughter visits every Sunday and Wednesday, but not for happy hour.
“It’s just us who drink,” Joy says. “It keeps us young.”
A Fun Outing Together
With an underground, heated garage on site, Joy continues to own a vehicle and drive. She enjoys The Pines’ convenient location near a Target, pharmacy, doctor’s office, and shopping center. But, there is one particular drive that she will always remember: a trip to Dairy Queen.
It was quite the adventure, as they searched multiple locations for a drive-thru. Joy knew she wanted a hot fudge sundae with peanuts, but Donna couldn’t make up her mind. Now, they know she enjoys Butterfinger Blizzards and will stick with that order for any future escapades.
An intentional detour made the trip especially meaningful.
“I took her to drive by my house,” Joy says. “I just wanted her to see where I had lived for 38 years.”
Why Community Matters at The Pines
The Pines has a busy activities calendar—like that sing-along where Joy and Donna met—providing opportunities to meet neighbors and enjoy an active senior living lifestyle. Other examples include musical performances and prayer groups.
In addition to organized activities, Joy and others created “screen time.” When it’s not too hot or too cold, they gather in the screen porch to listen to music and chat.
Shared meals encourage conversation and connection. Joy prefers the large round tables over the square tables so more people can chat and enjoy each other’s company. Residents can choose who to dine with and often move to different tables to eat with a variety of people.
Joy is also an ambassador for the resident council. She listens to residents and shares their feedback with the council who then advocate for changes and improvements in the community.
Friendship Makes the Transition Easier
Joy acknowledges she struggled with leaving her home, but Donna and others made it easier.
“It’s not easy moving from a house to senior living,” Joy says. “For me, life has always been about friends … They’re really important to me. Donna and I found each other on the second day. I was so relieved to find somebody who could listen and talk with me.”
When Joy sold her home, and received $40,000 more than the asking price, Donna was the first person at the community that she told.
“I gave her a big hug. She was happy,” Joy says.
Donna says she enjoys having Joy nearby.
“Any time I want to see her, I go up there or have her come down here,” Donna says. “She’s just fun to see.”
Donna is even trying to convince Joy to move to an independent living apartment home on the first floor, something that Joy says she might do.
Home is the People Around You
Whether Joy moves or not, she knows Donna is always nearby, and she is grateful for that.
Joy and Donna’s friendship shows how meaningful connections can form at any stage of life. At The Pines, social opportunities, shared experiences, and welcoming neighbors help residents feel at home. Contact us to learn more or schedule a visit.
