GONE SWIMMING!
At the crack of dawn almost every Saturday morning, Garlands member Steve Bromet leaves a “gone swimming” sticky note on the bathroom counter for his wife before he quietly slips out the front door and into The Garlands lap pool.
The morning light pours in from the aquatic center’s atrium skylights as the heated water supports and comforts. Clouds gently drift by, and the occasional bird or airplane floats in and out of his view as Steve methodically glides throughout the hour-long, strenuous, yet peaceful, disciplined exercise.
For Steve, swimming three-quarters of a mile multiple times a week offers plenty of time for reflection about a life well-lived, highlights of which include a 59-year happy marriage to his high school sweetheart Bev, a successful military career, an MBA, and subsequent C-level management positions, fantastic international travels, and a nearby, lovely family, including seven grandchildren.
Prior to moving to The Garlands, Steve had just one regret: he had never learned to swim. Then, a small blurb in The Garlands Gazette newsletter caught his eye — an open invitation for swimming lessons from a certified instructor, former Garlands activity lifestyles coordinator, Nate. The two met weekly for over a year and a half, and Nate expertly taught Steve freestyle swimming, the sidestroke, and Steve’s favorite, the backstroke.
“Nate swam competitively and was a great teacher,” recalls a grateful Steve. “He took the time to work with me, and we developed quite a relationship. I truly appreciated it.”
An avid golfer who also participates in Garlands group exercise classes, Steve says indoor swimming is the perfect exercise, especially during Midwest winters.
Now, when the grandkids come to visit him at The Garlands, Steve hops in the pool with them for a friendly intergenerational competition. “I still end up dead last, but thanks to Nate, after 82 years, I’m in the water and swimming!”
Health and wellness advocates Steve and Bev Bromet previously trained together with a former Navy Seal — they are serious when it comes to fitness!
Now, the Bromets marvel at all the fitness options The Garlands has to offer, from group classes to up-to-date equipment to the amenities like the pool, hot tub, steam rooms, and saunas.
They say, “We visited a few senior living communities before selecting the Garlands, and none compared.”
In addition to Steve’s athletic pursuits, Bev, a retired U.S. History teacher, is at Zumba class at 9:00 am, Karaoke Balance Class (yes, she sings while exercising!) at 10:30 am, Yoga at 11:00 am, and Bring Your Sexy Back (a toning class) at 11:30 am multiple days a week.
On top of a good workout, they both value the sense of community they gain from being active — in and outside the fitness center — with their Garlands neighbors.
“It is easy to make friends at The Garlands,” says Bev. “We have fun neighbors on our floor, and we have a lot of friends throughout The Garlands, many of whom we initially met while exercising.”
