Deni Shull received a pink Valentine’s Day card Friday with the word “love” written in a calligraphy-style. “Somebody … is very artistic,” she said of the card. “Not me; I’m not artistic at all.” When Shull, 73, opened it, she had “warm and fuzzy feelings,” she said, with a chuckle.

Around a dozen residents of American House Elmwood, a senior living community in Rochester Hills, gathered Friday morning and opened Valentine’s Day cards, which had been delivered to the facility by caregiver company Senior Helpers.

American House employees walked around the room saying “Happy Valentine’s Day” and letting seniors pick out a card from a large tray of cards. They also passed out candy and treats. Many of the seniors wore red, and the staff donned sweaters with hearts.

Vernon English, the director of operations for Farmington Hills-based Senior Helpers, said representatives of his company planned to deliver Valentine’s Day cards to about 12 senior living facilities in southeast Michigan. The cards were made by middle and high school students and by Senior Helpers employees. The employees also made Valentine’s ornaments — Shull’s was in the shape of an heart and had sparkly red and white hearts on it.

Senior Helpers workers assist seniors, whether they live in a house or a facility, with daily living tasks. English said that for some holidays, Senior Helpers as an organization likes to go to different facilities in Metro Detroit and “just brighten folks’ day.”

“Oftentimes, there’s situations where people may be in homes like this and they may not have large families anymore,” he said. “We just want folks to know that people are thinking about them and they care about them.”

Seniors get Valentine’s Day cards

Ute Sampson, a resident of American House Elmwood, received a white card Friday that said the word “Smile,” accompanied by a heart with red dots in it.

“Somebody has a very good writing here,” she said about the card.

Sampson, 81, is originally from Bad Nauheim, Germany, and immigrated to the U.S. after she married an American soldier. She said that she didn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day when she lived in Germany, but it is celebrated there now.

She said American House hosts other activities and events for its residents, including music performances.

“They do a whole lot here, for us here,” she said, adding that she is “very appreciative for all the stuff they do here.”

Elaine Chaffin, the executive director of American House Elmwood, said it was heartwarming on Friday to “see the residents gather together and all smiles on their face.”

Couple celebrates Valentine’s Day

Shull has been married to her husband, Chris Shull, 68, for 45 years.

“Soon to be 46 in May,” they said.

She said her advice for a long marriage is “just being tolerant” of each other.

“We take breaks from each other,” Chris Shull added, with a chuckle.