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Buddy and Barb: Connection and Purpose

How two retired teachers built a partnership through travel and volunteering

Varisha Khan,

AARP Texas

Published April 09, 2026

AARP Texas

At AARP, staying active and connected is central to life after retirement. For Buddy and Barb, that engagement has taken many forms over the years, from travel to volunteering, and has included a partnership built on shared purpose.

“Twenty years ago, in February 2006, my husband died after many years of being ill,” Barb recalled. “I was suddenly a widow in my early 60s. I wanted to travel, but it was very hard to do by myself.” A visit with her nephew that Thanksgiving brought a small but meaningful inspiration: a video called The Universe. “It said if you ask the universe for something, it will give it to you. I asked for a traveling companion, and I let it go with that,” she said.

The following October, Barb traveled from Tampa, Florida to Houston, Texas. Through a cousin, who “thinks of herself as a matchmaker,” Barb was introduced to Buddy. “He took me around in his cute little Lexus convertible. We hit it off,” she said. Their connection grew quickly, including trips together to Italy and Greece, and in 2013, Barb moved to Houston at Buddy’s invitation.

Both retired teachers, Barb and Buddy have since found fulfillment through volunteering. “Now when people ask me what I do, I say I’m a professional volunteer,” she said. Buddy is similarly engaged, dedicating much of his time to supporting community events. Through AARP, the couple participates in a wide range of activities, from local festivals to community celebrations, staying active while giving back. “We really try to participate. Sometimes it’s gotten slower for us, but we still try to keep going,” Barb said.

Barb and Buddy’s story illustrate the value of community involvement, and the opportunities AARP provides to stay connected and purposeful. For them, volunteering with AARP has provided meaningful contributions and new experiences that created a purpose that found them.