Love at first dance: 94-year-old & 82-year-old tie the knot at Bainbridge Adult Day Health Care Center

Bainbridge program director Yelena Palatnik told News 12 that Olexsandra fled the Ukraine two years ago seeking refuge. She met Gennadiy a year later at the center in Brooklyn.

News 12 Staff

May 9, 2024, 2:52 AM

Updated 218 days ago

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Members of the Bainbridge Center community gathered to celebrate the marriage of 94-year-old Gennadiy and 82-year-old Olexsandra.
Bainbridge program director Yelena Palatnik told News 12 that Olexsandra fled the Ukraine two years ago seeking refuge. She met Gennadiy a year later at the center in Brooklyn.
Gennadiy says it wasn't love at first sight, but love at first dance.
"We first met in the middle of a dance. I told her that she was dancing really well. And she answered 'you too.' Then, I invited her for a second time, a third…after that, I was dancing only with her," Gennadiy recounted.
The newlywed couple got married last week at City Hall, but celebrated amongst friends and staff at the center on Wednesday.
The Bainbridge Adult Day Health Care Center offers a daily program where adult members of the Brooklyn community can gather to partake in activities, dancing, physical therapy, art therapy, and more communal programming. Staff tell News 12 their goal is to keep their participants happy and healthy. The program has been serving the Sheepshead Bay community for 25 years.
For more information on their adult program, and additionally their veteran program open to all veterans across the community, head over to their website.