From Bonfires to Bridge: The Heart-Healthy Power of Community

Between fire pit hangouts under the Lone Star sky, walks around campus with their two rescue Shih Tzus, spirited book club discussions, exercise classes that get their hearts pumping, and shuffling up for Hand and Foot Canasta, Susie and Amor Forwood haven’t been this active since their carefree teen years.

The couple was “thrilled” to move to Longhorn Village in early June 2025, and call their Ballantyne residence the “perfect new home.”

For American Heart Month, Susie and Amor remind us that heart health isn’t only built in the fitness center. It’s also built through a community of friendship. Quick hellos turn into dinner plans, one class becomes a weekly tradition and suddenly your calendar is full in the best way.

“We laugh that we have not had this much social activity since we were in high school,” Susie says.

The Best Heart Boost? Laughing With Your People

Along with wellness opportunities and delicious dining, residents enjoy something just as good for the heart: easy connections, plenty of laughter and a sense of belonging. Here, conversations happen naturally, “nice to meet you” turns into “come join us” and friendships have room to grow.

For Susie and Amor, their friendships in Longhorn Village took root even before they unpacked a box. While the Ballantyne expansion was still under construction, our marketing team hosted events for future residents.

“We got together for meals with others who were also on the waiting list. It was a great way to start getting acquainted,” Susie says. “We quickly developed a great group of friends with similar interests and goals for the next stage of our lives.”

Your Heart Called. It Wants a Game Night.

Ask Susie what heart health looks like day to day, and she doesn’t start with a checklist. She starts with joy. “The first thing that comes to mind is that we have something fun to do, and someone fun to do it with,” she says.

That might look like sitting in on a lifelong learning lecture or workshop, diving into a creative project or browsing the library for your next great read. It could be joining a yoga class, catching a live performance, getting out on the golf course or lending a hand to a cause that matters to you.

Staying social is one of the easiest, feel-good ways to support heart health all year long, and Susie says it happens here without overthinking it.

“We have too many social events to even list them all: Mexican train dominoes, mahjong, bridge, bingo, fitness classes for all levels and weekly entertainment events,” she says. “The cocktail lounge is another fun place to meet and grow your circle of friends. There are more things to become involved in than you will have time for!”

Longhorn Village’s pet-friendliness adds another layer of connection. Susie and Amor have raised Shih Tzus for nearly 50 years, and you’ll see them out and about daily with 13-year-old Zoey and 8-year-old Max. “We’ve made friends on our dog-walking circuit,” she says. “And the dogs have made lots of friends here, too.”

Come for the Lifestyle, Stay for the Friends

Fellowship grows each day, Susie says, which is a big part of what makes our picturesque Hill Country campus feel like a community of friends. “Longhorn Village is all about friendships and get-togethers with folks like ourselves who are committed to getting the very most out of our senior years.”

After 66 years of marriage, Susie says she and Amor have enjoyed meeting other couples who share that same kind of lasting love. “I thought we were a rare breed, but we have found many other couples here with marriages this long and even longer,” she says.

Susie also loves how the connection continues even when life takes you off campus. “I have a group of girlfriends that stay in daily contact with each other via group texting,” she says. “Even when we’re away on vacations, we keep in contact almost daily. We’re like sisters! Our husbands keep remarking about the constant ‘pinging’ of our cellphones.”

Find Your Favorites One ‘Yes’ at a Time

For anyone new to Longhorn Village, Susie’s advice is to experiment. “You may think you’re not a game player, but then you can’t wait for the hand and foot game once you’ve tried it.” She suggests sampling different classes and clubs until you find your favorites and making a point to share dinner with new friends each week. Even better, invite someone new to your table. The easiest way to build a connection is to start small and stay open.

“We truly believe that a life filled with friendships, love, laughter and happiness is the best tonic available to a healthy heart,” she says, “And we’ve found all this here at Longhorn Village.”

Ready to see what a community of friends (and a healthier heart) can look like for you? Call 512.503.8288 to learn more about life here.