Myrna and Paul Morey never went to their senior proms in high school. Paul was already out of high school by the time Myrna graduated, and the couple were preparing to wed rather than attending her prom.
During Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Golden Years Prom on Saturday, Aug. 10, the Moreys got their shining moment. The couple, who live at the Yelm center, were chosen by their fellow residents and community members as the event’s king and queen.
The Moreys, who will celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary in October, shared a kiss and a smile as their names were announced. Myrna received a silver tiara and a white sash with the words “Prom Queen,” while Paul donned a golden crown and a black sash with the words “Prom King.”
For the Moreys, the honor was touching, but they appreciated the opportunity to share the win with the friends they’ve met over the last year that they’ve lived at Rosemont.
“It’s kind of humorous because I didn’t go to my prom, and he didn’t go to his prom either, so this is it,” Myrna Morey said. “To be chosen, it was way more touching than I really thought it would be. These are our friends, and it was just very nice.”
As the couple collected their emotions after their royalty announcement, friends and community members congratulated them. One resident shared that she voted for them and that there were “no two more deserving and special people.”
“That shows you that they really do care, which is great. Rosemont really includes the community, which is so amazing. So many things were donated to be part of this evening,” Myrna Morey said.
“I always thought we were the younger ones around here, and we’re not, but it seems like we were. I thought it was different that we were chosen when there are so many other neat people,” Paul Morey added.
The Moreys enjoyed dressing in their finest attire for the occasion, as Paul wore a black designer jacket complemented by a gold flower to match his crown. Myrna matched with a black dress she borrowed from her niece.
“We got stuff out that we haven’t used for a long, long time, so that was fun,” she said. “I’ll probably put my tiara in our apartment right in plain view for a while.”
Kylie Woods, community relations director at Rosemont, said the crowning moment for the Moreys was special, and it was an honor for her to announce them as the king and queen.
“From the very start, both Myrna and Paul were reluctant to move into senior living, but Myrna knew she needed help as she was Paul’s primary caregiver. I can imagine being both a wife and caregiver would be so hard on both ends,” Woods said. “After moving into Rosemont, I noticed such a change in both of their spirits. They are so loved here and so welcoming to new residents. We are lucky to have them.”
Rosemont’s prom celebrated the business’s 20th anniversary and featured desserts by Masonry Cafe, live music from Tim Anderson, dancing and more.
