Texas Divorcees Find Love Again in an Unexpected Place

(Benbrook, TX) – When you move someplace new, it’s common to feel nervous or even anxious about meeting new people and having to develop a new routine. Those feelings lasted just minutes for Craig McGraw, 75, of Benbrook, Texas.

Shortly after signing a lease to move into Album Benbrook, a 55+ active adult community in Benbrook, Texas, the team member who rented him his apartment introduced him to Kay Aline Turner, 83, at the community’s weekly happy hour. Kay had just moved into the community two weeks earlier.

“She said, ‘Kay, I want to introduce you to our newest resident, Craig. He just signed the contract. The ink isn’t even dry.’ I said, ‘Well hi Craig, welcome. Tell me a little about yourself.’ We got to talking and visiting and have hardly been apart since then,” said Kay.

“When I met Kay, something just clicked. We’ve just got so much in common. I think that’s what drew me to her,” added Craig.

Both are divorcees with military backgrounds. Craig retired from a long career as a helicopter mechanic in the Air Force. Kay has family members who served. In addition, they both have children who live in the area.

The couple met in August 2022 and got engaged a little less than two years later in May 2024. No wedding date is set yet.

According to the National Institutes of Health, companionship plays a crucial role in the well-being of older adults, with strong social connections being linked to improved mental health, reduced loneliness, better cognitive function, and even increased life expectancy.

Kay has had some health challenges recently but says being with Craig has dramatically improved her attitude and outlook. Craig has been heavily involved in one of Kay’s passion projects. In summer 2024, she became a published author, and he is helping promote her book.

“He is a wonderful marketer. He’ll stop anybody, talk to them, and say, ‘Oh do you like to read?’ If they say yes, he introduces me,” said Kay.

“The other day I had surgery to remove some skin cancer from my nose, and I sold a few books while I was in the chair,” said Craig.

Kay’s novel, “The Other Part of Her,” is a contemporary romance about a beautiful college coed named Hope, and Drew, the star football player at the University of Colorado. Shortly after their romance blossoms in 1959, Drew embarks upon a career in the U.S. Navy while Hope leaves on a family trip to Europe.

The anticipation of receiving his letters fuel her during the trip abroad. However, when she returns from the extended vacation, there are no letters from Drew. Hope is baffled by his silence, and his broken promise. She searches for answers, but no explanation can be found, and she returns to college heartbroken. Many years later, Hope’s family housekeeper intervenes to shed light on what happened.

Craig isn’t the only Album Benbrook resident who is enthralled by the book. “I have gotten a lot of support from my neighbors at Album Benbrook. My editor is a former English teacher who lives here, and when the book launched, my neighbors hosted a launch party for me,” said Kay.

Both Craig and Kay credit Album Benbrook with giving them new leases on life. Kay had been living on her own since the death of her second husband. She had a rental home in Ft. Worth that she loved, but when the owners decided to sell, she had to move out.

Craig had recently gotten divorced and after moving out of his house decided to move to Album Benbrook, just two miles away from where he used to live. “I saw the place go up. I used to ride by on my bicycle when it was being built,” he said.

Kay and Craig currently spend a good part of each day together but keep separate apartments. Kay’s apartment is on the first floor and has a view of the community swimming pool. Craig’s apartment is on the third floor and has a view of the Ft. Worth skyline.

“I love living here! I feel very blessed. I love the people. I love the place. It’s just lovely,” said Kay.

About Album Benbrook

Album Benbrook, which is located at 8601 Cook Ranch Rd, Benbrook, TX 76126, is a 55+ apartment community that offers residents a renewed sense of purpose with the luxury of time to explore a lifestyle that fulfills them and brings meaning to their day. The community features maintenance-free living in one-and-two-bedroom apartment homes, and plenty of on-site activities to keep residents busy, including a heated swimming pool, fitness center, yoga studio, art studio, dog park and more.

For more information about the community, go to www.AlbumBenbrook.com