Sometimes, love doesn’t begin with sparks, but with a second chance.
Carol and Steve Jakab first met on a blind date in April 1962. She was a nursing student; he was studying at Fairfield University. The evening ended without much fanfare, no magic, no follow-up. Life moved on. But fate had other plans.
A year later, they crossed paths again at a mixer at St. Vincent’s. Neither had intended to meet the other that night, but their respective dates never arrived. So, they danced. And something clicked.
That dance marked the beginning of a relationship built on patience, deep connection, and mutual respect. After several years of dating, they married, always calling Fairfield home. Together, they supported each other’s careers, embraced life’s ups and downs, and traveled whenever they could, growing side-by-side through six decades.
When asked the secret to their enduring marriage, their advice is honest and heartfelt: communication, forgiveness, and the ability to let go of grudges. “It’s not about perfection,” they say. “It’s about commitment and choosing each other, every single day.”
Carol and Steve have been part of the 3030 Park community for three years now and couldn’t be happier. “We’ve made so many wonderful friends, we can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
As they approach their 60th wedding anniversary in August 2025, we celebrate a love story grounded in grace, growth, and a lifetime of shared moments.
