Go to main contentsGo to main menu
Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 6:36 AM

3,380 Wednesdays of marriage

3,380 Wednesdays of marriage
Long before dates nights were in vogue, one Fernley couple was a regular each Wednesday evening at La Fiesta restaurant in Fernely. Now living at a local senior living community, dates nights for Gordon, 87 and Nola, 93 are typically spent in the dining room. For the couple's 65th wedding anniversary, however, team members at Fernley Estates Senior Living recreated their original date night at La Fiesta, the same restaurant where they spent thousands of Wednesday evenings.

Fernley couple celebrates 65 years of marriage by recreating date night at local restaurant


Courtesy Fernley Estates

Long before date night was in vogue, Fernley residents Gordon and Nola Cox had a standing reservation each Wednesday night at La Fiesta restaurant in Fernley. Now in their twilight years – Gordon, 87 and Nola, 93 –  date nights take place at Fernley Estates Senior Living, where the couple lives. Last month, however, Fernley Estates team members partnered with La Fiesta restaurant to surprise the couple with a date night for their 65th wedding anniversary.

“Gordon and Nola are absolutely inspiring to watch any day,” said Tara Alto, the administrator at Fernley Estates. “They hold hands and still flirt with each other. Before each meal, the team members must wait for Nola to put on lipstick and fluff her hair for Gordon, even though he is blind. We were honored to recreate a moment in time that was special to them both.”

Team members arranged for Nola to have her hair and nails done at the community’s beauty salon and have flowers delivered to their room the morning of their anniversary, March 26. Dressed in their best, the couple climbed aboard the community’s transportation van and headed to La Fiesta.

As Fernley Estates’ driver, Bob Riley, pulled into La Fiesta’s parking lot, Gordon asked where they were.

“If you could go anywhere to eat, where would it be?” Riley answered.

“Well, I like La Fiesta,” Gordon replied.

“Well, that’s where we are, Gordon,” Riley said.

Gordon’s ordinarily very serious face transformed into a gorgeous grin, and Nola smiled beautifully. Throughout dinner, the couple could be seen holding hands. At times, Gordon was so overcome by emotion, his eyes filled up with tears, and he couldn’t speak; Nola’s beautiful smile remained all evening.

As an anniversary gift from La Fiesta, the couple can return for another date night, free of charge.

About Fernley Estates Senior Living

Fernley Estates Senior Living, located at 1130 Chisholm Trl, Fernley, Nev., is operated by Mission Senior Living (MSL), a senior living and memory care organization with locations in Oregon, Nevada and Arizona. MSL’s mission, Caring People, Serving People, Improving Lives, is fulfilled by a compassionate team of professionals who provide care, services and resident-centered programming and activities to enrich the lives of residents and their families. For more information about Fernley Estates, call (775) 372-8625 or visit http://www.fernleyestates.net. For more information about Mission Senior Living, visit http://www.missionseniorliving.net or call (775) 468-6114.

 

Share
Rate

Comment

Comments

COMMENTS
C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: Maybe there is more to this story than what is reported, but it seems to me that the businesses that are causing this problem ought to be paying for this, or at least a major portion of it. Why does the County have to pay the whole bill? Just my opinion.Comment publication date: 5/7/26, 10:26 AMComment source: Storey County, Tesla partner to extend I-80 Patrick on-rampComment author: Alan ReederComment text: Great guy, laughed easily, had fun with his students, enjoyed our time together at FHS!Comment publication date: 4/23/26, 10:23 PMComment source: Howard David JacksonComment author: Jack & Nancy CookComment text: Wonderful man. Created a precious family with Linda. Will always respect and admire his contribution to teaching at FHS.Comment publication date: 4/18/26, 10:27 AMComment source: Howard David JacksonComment author: JeffDickersonComment text: Very well reported, even though our motion was denied.Comment publication date: 4/15/26, 11:05 AMComment source: Judge allows Fernley City Council to proceed with corrective agenda item in Lau expulsion caseComment author: Todd fossumComment text: Hi my name is todd fossum i'm clarence's stepson, I was wondering if he had any siblings. I think he said he had a sister that just survived cancer. If she can get ahold of me or any buddy, my number is 916. 3 4 3 1 1 7 7.Thank you have a blessed dayComment publication date: 1/16/26, 4:33 PMComment source: Clarence L Shields C Comment author: Carl HagenComment text: So just curious, what is the point of a franchise agreement if it is not exclusive?Comment publication date: 12/15/25, 4:18 PMComment source: Council approves non-exclusive franchise agreement for waste collection
Community Foundation