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Three Ripples of Love

Resident with homemade meal
Associate wearing a mask and a resident eating a homemade meal.

Great waves start with tiny ripples. In Watermark communities, we celebrate our own kind of Ripples: meaningful, personal interactions that create a story that is re-told over time, creating our culture and bringing our vision to life. Associates are encouraged to seize every opportunity to make a difference. While each Ripple is different, one thing remains consistent — they're all based in love.

The Way to Any Person’s Heart. Everybody deserves a personal welcome when moving into a new community. Having a dish named for you takes it to a whole new level. Team members at The Watermark at Continental Ranch were scratching their heads over how they could help newcomer Gloria relax and feel at home. The culinary wizards had the answer. They found out what Gloria’s favorite breakfast was and served it in the dining room as the special dish of the day. More than that, they named it for her. Gloria was thrilled with her taste of celebrity and met other residents as a result. That Ripple started a new tradition.

Now the Welcome Home Residents Meal helps each new resident feel at home. Shortly after moving in, the newcomer’s favorite meal is featured as the dish of the day. It’s a fun, tasty way of helping people connect.

Associate Engagement Director Richard Brenner sees the positive impact all the time. “These special meals bring people together. They tell stories about what they ate growing up,” he says. “They open doors to help residents get to know one another. Two residents realized they were in a motorcycle club together twenty-five years ago. Friends reunited!”

People in cockpit of plane
Two people standing outside of fighter plane.

Flight of a Lifetime. Years of soaring through clouds and navigating starlit skies had prepared this retired pilot for many adventures, but none quite like the surprise awaiting him the day he stepped onto the tarmac at Brigham City Airport. Ken, a resident at The Lodge at North Ogden, had been reminiscing about when he was a pilot in Alaska and shared how much he missed flying. Inspired by these heartfelt stories, Resident Care Director Jared contacted a local pilot who was thrilled to assist in arranging a surprise for Ken, his nephew, and his brother. 

Ken's special flight over the Grand Tetons was a momentous occasion, and the journey became even more magical when Ken had an opportunity to steer the aircraft. Soaring among the clouds with a renewed sense of wonder, the former aviator’s love for flying was reignited.

"He is still talking about his experience; Ken says it is a day he will always remember," shared Kelly Flint, Executive Director of The Lodge. "His family sent a card to the pilot to express how much the experience meant to all of them."

Two people standing together. One has their arm around the other.

Heroes & Friends for Life. Twice a month, van driver Brian Slocum transports Cal, a resident at The Fountains at Millbrook, to an unmissable appointment. After 50 years as a volunteer firefighter, Cal regularly gets the special treatment he deserves. The younger firefighters at the local fire station provide lunch to honor the achievements of former firefighters, some of them up to 95 years old. Everybody shares the meal to catch up, swap stories, and enjoy every minute together. 

Brian, who has always lived in the Millbrook, New York, area, loves spending time with Cal and other people who have been vital to his community. Brian and Cal have become close and have plenty in common — Brian’s aunt and Cal even went to school together — and these lunches are meaningful to everyone.

“It’s an honor to spend time with these people,” Brian says. “Firefighters share a special bond from their experiences. They mean so much to our community. I’m proud to be their friend.”

And the Ripples Keep Coming. Every workplace sets professional standards for respectful and courteous behavior. Ripples are acts of kindness and connection that can’t be mandated. They flow naturally from good hearts and inspiring settings, and we see them every day in our communities.