Dr. Stephen Cardos and Peggy Kelly met at a dance in New York on August 31, 1965. Over the next three years they dated, fell in love and married on June 29, 1968. During this time, Peggy graduated with a business degree and worked as a Distributor for JC Penney’s while Steve was a Medical student at New York University. He then did his residency at Bellvue in Manhattan, New York for three years.  In May1972 they adopted their oldest Son Stephen and in March 1973 adopted their oldest daughter, Nicole.

Later in 1973 the happy family moved to Omaha, Nebraska where Steve enlisted in the United States Air Force as an Officer where he served for two years. During this time Peggy had their second daughter, Kelly, November 1973.

In 1975, Steve, Peggy and their three children traveled to Brighton Colorado where Dr. Cardos interviewed for a position as Pediatrician at Brighton Community Hospital, now Platte Valley Medical Center.

On their way home from the interview, they were in a terrible car accident, leaving them stranded. The Brighton community graciously responded by giving them a car to use until the insurance came through. They also put them up in a hotel.  This is when they made their decision to make Brighton their home. Doctor Cardos accepted the position at the hospital and opened his private practice. Brighton Pediatrics opened its doors on July 17, 1975. He was the only Pediatrician in the county for ten years. Peggy helped manage the practice as well as care for the couple’s three children.

In 1980 the family grew again and in March Peggy had their second son Michael. With four young children, they had their hands full.

Throughout the years Dr. Cardos has been very involved in the Brighton community including being chair for the House of Neighborly Services, a member of the Brighton Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and the Parish Council at St, Augustine Church. He was also instrumental as a founder of Almost Home and served as President.  In addition he was elected to serve a six-year term on the board of directors at PVMC, and was named Citizen of the year in 2003.

He mentored many residency medical students and still owns Brighton Pediatrics after 40 years. He now has six colleagues, still works part time enjoying his family based practice.

Steve and Peggy have also enjoyed ballroom dancing for over 15 years and sometimes provide lessons for others in their basement. They love to cruise and travel by themselves as well as with their kids and their families. Dr. Cardos loves photography and playing classical guitar and Peggy loves to garden, sketch and take walks with her dog. They love getting together with family especially around the holidays. They now have nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Looking back at the last 50 years, Steve and Peggy have endured hard times and good times, ups and downs but through it all they have always tried to keep family values first. They have shown how important it is to be there for one another. To spend time with family is a number one commitment for them. They have shown with the love they have for one another how important a lasting and beautiful relationship can be.

All of us here at PVMC want to congratulate Steve and Peggy on their 50^th anniversary and want to wish them the very best as they continue their journey together in the years ahead.