Carl Brightwell and Jo Rogers thought a second chance at love was never in the cards, but they both say they are blessed to have found love twice in their lives.
Both Carl and Jo are native Texans who moved to California with their spouses many years ago. After retirement, both couples moved to Waco, never knowing one another. Throughout their years in Waco, Carl and Jo, along with their spouses, received great care at Ascension Providence. Sadly, both Carl and Jo lost their beloved spouses, Verna and Bill, a few years ago.
Due to their heart conditions, both Carl and Jo attended Ascension Providence’s Cardiac Rehab a few days a week, but coincidentally, they never crossed paths. Knowing that Carl was grieving the loss of his wife and that he had a passion for music, Carl was approached by Leon, a Providence volunteer, about singing for patients.
Carl loved the idea of spreading joy to patients through music, so he began playing his guitar and singing for patients in the Congestive Heart Failure and Infusion Clinic. Leon also knew Jo loved music and often sang at church, so he connected Carl and Jo so they could possibly sing together.
Carl and Jo initially met at Providence for a conversation, and then they started practicing songs together after their workouts in Cardiac Rehab. They both enjoyed singing together and quickly realized they had great chemistry. What started out as a meeting and practices, soon led to lunch, dinner, dating and finally to Carl proposing.
When Carl decided to propose he thought the best place to propose would be where they met – at Providence’s Cardiac Rehab – with their Providence family and friends. While they were exercising, Carl gathered their group of friends and nurses, and proposed to Jo. After Jo replied, “Of course I will!” the nurses brought out a sign, balloons, and cake to celebrate the newly engaged couple!
Today, Carl and Jo are happily married, official volunteers at Providence, and attend Cardiac Rehab together multiple times a week.
The Providence Cardiac Rehab team not only cares for patients as they recover, and for years to come, they also create lasting friendships and a sense of community with patients that brings holistic care to all they serve.
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