Walking into the Fireside Room at Wesley Lea Hill, you might see Geri Killip and Connie Ball. Geri, aka the “Social Butterfly of the second floor,” says sitting near the fireplace chatting with folks who stop by is one of the many pastimes she shares with Connie, her Wesley BFF (best friends forever).
“My room is tranquil and comforting,” Geri says. “Because Connie and I both like spending time with people, we make an effort to get out and see friends every day. Connecting with others is one of the most important things you can do when living in a community like Wesley.”
Connie agrees. “We try to join in whatever is going on. If you don’t put yourself out there and be friendly to floormates, you won’t ever get to know them. Some people have moved onto our floor because we have so much fun. Geri and I just do our best to be friendly.”
“I was raised in the South, so I was used to very friendly people,” says Connie. “Geri was so easy to get to know, so kind and friendly and willing to help anybody at any time.”
Geri calls their floor “The Friendliest Floor in Eby Lodge.” She spent two years as a floor director, discussing resident requests and other issues on the Resident Council. She loved greeting and orientating new residents with the same friendliness Connie, a four-year resident, had welcomed her.
The start of a beautiful friendship
The BFFs met three years ago on the day Geri moved in across the hall. Originally from Cleveland, Geri’s outgoing Midwestern nature fit perfectly with Connie’s Mississippi-bred convivial personality.
“We first spoke at a dinner in the Assembly Hall right when I moved in,” recalls Geri. “All of a sudden, we were the best of buds, watching the “Golden Bachelor” and other reality shows every night. We’ve had breakfast, lunch, and dinner together almost every day since.”
Geri and Connie also take full advantage of Wesley Lea Hill’s robust entertainment calendar. They sit down with the new schedule every month and plot what concerts and activities they’ll attend. They especially enjoy live musical presentations.
“We always look for the concerts first, then decide what ones we are going to,” says Geri. “We like to watch piano players and sit in the front row so we can watch their hands on the keys. We also have special meals, like the First Sunday of the Month Brunch, that we always attend together.”
Geri says she cherishes hearing stories of Connie’s life growing up in the South. It’s an upbringing that’s much different than living on the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio. One of Connie’s three daughters still lives in Mississippi. Geri sees her whenever she visits.
“Getting to know Connie’s three daughters has been another treat from our friendship,” Geri says. “One lives nearby, and another is a flight attendant, so we visit with them often. Her grandkids and great-grandkids are scattered about, but I always see them when they are here, which is really nice.”
“We have fun all together and laugh a lot,” adds Connie. “My family just loves her.”
Looking out for each other
Like many Wesley Lea Hill residents, the two friends take daily walks. Whether they are on the surrounding nature trails or – during the winter months –walking in Eby Lodge or climbing stairs, they visit with others as they go. They often attend each other’s medical appointments. As friends often do, they enjoy the occasional mani-pedi session.
“We always look out for each other and help with appointment dates and other commitments,” says Geri. “Connie is very caring. When I watch TV in her apartment, she always places a throw over me when I sit on the couch because she knows I get cold easily.”
Like school best friends, there is a lot of “note passing” between the two women. On a recent night, Geri slipped a note under Connie’s door to remind her to be ready at 11 a.m. for the monthly brunch. By the time Connie slipped a note under Geri’s door the next morning that stated, “Call me,” Geri had realized she’d sent the note on Friday night when the brunch was actually on Sunday.
“It helps to have someone here who also knows your schedule,” Geri laughs when recounting the rare misunderstanding.
Disagreements are also few and far between among the friends. Says Connie, “If we disagree about something, it is always okay. I would never get upset with her because she didn’t agree with me or vice versa.”
“We get along just fine,” says Geri. “In over three years we’ve never had a big spat or disagreement. Even if we did, we’d patch up fast because I would miss her too much.” “What can I say,” says Connie, smiling. “She is just my best friend.”