65 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com had sold in Mississippi. As Spitz’s apartment was a small one-bedroom, she didn’t have the space for all his things. After Petitpain purged a good bit, the two consolidated by moving into a two-bedroom. Although by that time they had talked about getting married, they mutually decided that at 71 and 74 it wasn’t necessary since they had both already been down that path. Having since moved from Overture to an apartment on Bees Ferry, partners Spitz and Petitpain are still very active, enjoying activities like going out to dinner, socializing at the senior center, line dancing, pickleball and driving Petitpain’s RV around the state to campsites in places like Columbia and Myrtle Beach. Separately, Spitz volunteers in the phlebotomy lab at Roper St. Francis Hospital, while Petitpain volunteers at Charlestowne Landing. They both love spending time with their families. SELF-SUFFICIENT LOVE When it comes to finding love later in life, there is another side to all of this, according to Kathleen Cassels and her neighbor Anne Duncan. And that is self-love. Fortunate to have already experienced marriage and to have lived a fulfilling life raising children and grandchildren, Cassels said she loves traveling so much that she’s never stayed in one place long enough to get involved in a relationship. “Plus,” Cassels elaborated, “I’ve always enjoyed my own company anyway, so it’s a gift to not need someone. Being on my own makes life so much more expansive because I get to meet the most fascinating people and experience other cultures in a way that I wouldn’t necessarily be able to do if I was part of a couple and it was just the two of us together.” Cassels added, “We are whole as we are; we have elder wisdom. We do not need someone else to complete us.” Duncan, who has previously lived and worked as a teacher in France, as well as traveled to Italy and spent time in Morocco on a Fulbright scholarship, agreed with Cassels. “Circumstances took me out of solitary life. Living in our 55-plus community has given me the opportunity every hour to be surrounded by a group of diverse and intellectually-stimulating friends from all walks of life,” Duncan said. “And I love that I still get to learn and think and grow who I am on my own.” senior living Kathleen Cassels. Anne Duncan.
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