OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It all started when Annemarie Mark met her future husband, Dan, at a bowling alley in St. Petersburg.
They found themselves in the same bowling league at Seminole Lanes. There, on the polished wooden floors, through the cacophonous noises of bowling balls knocking down pins, the two struck a romance that muted everything around them.
Annemarie and Dan had both lost their spouses after 42 years of marriage. The mere coincidence of the quantity in years of connection to their past partners laid the foundation where they could build their own. What followed was a 24-year marriage.
After residing in St. Petersburg for many years as a married couple, the two made a trip to Ocala to visit Annemarie’s son, Chris, and daughter-in-law, Becky. The kids encouraged Annemarie and Dan move to Bridgewater Park Assisted Living in Ocala.
On February 26, after declining health, Dan passed away.
“Dan was a wonderful man… I feel very fortunate to have married him,” said Annemarie tearfully.
As she continued to cope with her loss, Annemarie heard about a Golden Senior Olympics competition to be held in May between various area assisted living facilities. She decided to participate, competing in cornhole and, naturally, bowling. Training for the event was a source of therapy and solace – an unexpected coping mechanism.
On the day of the Golden Senior Olympics, Annemarie and her teammates arrived at the Land O’Lakes Recreational Complex not knowing what to expect.
“We just went to the event and were told where to go,” she said.
The first sport scheduled was bowling. As she assumed her familiar bowling stance, Annemarie noted the atmosphere.
“The enthusiasm in the room was contagious,” she said. “I couldn’t help but think to myself what a wonderful event this was for us seniors.”
In attendance to cheer her on was her good friend from St. Petersburg, Dee Dee.
“It was the first time I had seen her since Dan had passed,” she recalled.
Memories came flooding back of how the couples would spend time playing dominos, eating dinner at each other’s houses and enjoying each other’s company.
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As her match began, Annemarie bowled with conviction. Every roll of the ball was a statement to everyone, and healthy reminder to herself, that she still had it. Throwing strikes left and right, Annemarie sensed Dan’s presence.
Once the last pin fell, the winners were announced. Annemarie had won the gold medal.
“I didn’t know I was going to bring home gold,” she said. “That was just the icing on the cake.”
Not to be denied in cornhole, Annemarie also came out on top and won a second gold, surpassing her own expectations.
Annemarie returned to Bridgewater Park triumphant. A crowd of about 20 residents welcomed her back as an Olympic gold medalist.
“They were all hooting and hollering… it was really something,” she said.
As she looks back on her experience, Annemarie hopes her story will encourage others to put themselves out there.
“The trip up there was so worth it,” she said. “You don’t have to be an athlete to compete in it. Our volleyball team won the gold, and they looked like pros! It was the most exciting event of the day for me, and they didn’t even know what they were doing.”
What’s that saying about winning? It isn’t everything.
“Dan would be very proud of me. My grief is still here but I’m learning every day to face it and keep myself busy,” she said. “To me, it wasn’t about the winning. I was just so happy to fill a void and feel proud of myself again.”
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