It is never easy to be absent from a loved one, particularly one who has been with you for decades. When you get married with someone, you make a commitment to be with them through thick and thin, in sickness and in health. Yet, there are certain situations beyond your control, and you may be forced to remain apart.
For Lewis Tunnicliffe, 84, and his wife, Barbara, 81, the ᴄᴏᴠɪᴅ-𝟷𝟿 ᴇᴘɪᴅᴇᴍɪᴄ isolated families for months, which was a devastating reality. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Barbara was required to be placed in a care facility so that she could receive the essential care she required.
Once a week, Lewis would visit his wife at the nursing home, embracing her and offering her his love in every way he could. However, his weekly visits altered when the ᴄᴏᴠɪᴅ-𝟷𝟿 ᴇᴘɪᴅᴇᴍɪᴄ hit. This is a glass screen constantly separated him from Barbara.
Lewis and Barbara missed each other throughout their months apart because it was the longest time they had ever been apart. The couple had only been separated for a handful of days since they got married in 1960.
Lewis was reunited with his wife eight months after being separated and no longer needed to view her via a glass screen—and the moment the two hugged each other again was a tear-jerking but encouraging moment to all those around them.
Lewis, who had dementia and had been struggling to look after himself at home, was eventually placed in the same care home as his wife, as determined by his family. While it was best for him, one primary reason for him to join the care home was his wife Barbara, whom he would finally be with.
On the day of their reunion, Lewis approached Barbara, who was sitting in her chair.
“You’re beautiful. My darling, oh, I’ve waited so long for this. I’ll be staying here now.”, Lewis then told his wife.
The former car dealer was in tears as he bent down and kissed his wife passionately on the lips, both of them warmly embracing each other’s faces. It was the reunion the two had been waiting for, and it was everything and more than they could have ever imagined.
Lewis and Barbara met in 1958 and married 2 years later. The pair had two daughters and four grandkids together, and worked as a car salesman and a nurse, respectively, until their retirement.
Their kids were overjoyed that they were no longer separated, and one of their daughters, Sam Jackson, requested that the care home employees videotape their long-awaited reunion. Sam disclosed that her dad was so nervous about his reunion with Barbara that he couldn’t sleep the night before.
Lewis was nervous since he didn’t know if Barbara would recognize him. He even went out of his way to shave and dress neatly for their first encounter in a long time. He described the emotional reunion as like having their first date all over again.
Not only Lewis was preparing for the reunion. Despite the fact that Barbara had no idea Lewis was coming, the girls at the care home made her look her best by fixing her hair and nails.
Since that day, Lewis and Barbara never separated again. They spend each day eating together, simply sitting together, and holding hands.
The adorable couple inspires the care home workers, who note that moments like these are one of the greatest elements of nursing care. Lewis and Barbara now have their own happily ever after!
